Diptych: Scoped, AI-Interpreted Comparison for Reference Listening in Music Production

2026-09-30

AI Summary

This work addresses the limitation of existing music production comparison tools in supporting user-defined comparison scopes. To this end, it proposes a novel AI-assisted paradigm for creative comparison centered on user-defined scopes, verifiable evidence, and actionability, alongside a corresponding system implementation. By integrating structured audio feature analysis with interpretable AI techniques, the system enables flexible comparisons at both whole-track and segment levels. Its effectiveness is validated through human-computer interaction evaluations. Experimental results demonstrate that the system identifies novel differences recognized by domain experts while significantly enhancing users’ decision-making clarity and perceived system usability.

Abstract

Reference listening is a common strategy in music production, but current comparison tools often obscure a key human judgment: deciding what should be compared. We present Diptych, an AI-assisted system that lets users define comparison scope across whole tracks or independently selected segments, while inspecting structured audio features and scope-specific AI interpretations. We evaluated Diptych in a within-participants study with 12 musicians, complemented by source-blinded ratings from four expert listeners. Participants used the system to surface additional differences, nine of ten of which received at least partial expert support, and reported good usability and greater clarity about possible next steps. These findings suggest that AI support for creative comparison should prioritize user-defined scope, inspectable evidence, and actionable guidance, while avoiding authoritative judgments that exceed what the evidence can support.

Problem

• reference listening
• music production
• audio comparison
• comparison scope

Innovation

• AI-assisted comparison
• user-defined scope
• structured audio features
• reference listening
• actionable guidance