Downloads
All audio files and research data from the HiMMP (Heaviness in Metal Music Production) project are available for download. These materials are provided for educational, research, and analysis purposes.
Audio Specifications: All files are MP3 format, 320 kbps, 44.1 kHz sample rate, stereo.
Study Stimuli (18 Clips)
Ten-second excerpts used in the listening experiment. These short clips were rated by 79 participants for perceived heaviness, hardness, and punch.
Or download individual files
Section 1: Fast & Intensive
High-energy passage with rapid riffing
- Research Team - Section 1 ~230 KB
- Jens Bogren - Section 1 ~230 KB
- Mike Exeter - Section 1 ~230 KB
- Adam "Nolly" Getgood - Section 1 ~230 KB
- Josh Middleton - Section 1 ~230 KB
- Fredrik Nordström - Section 1 ~230 KB
- Buster Odeholm - Section 1 ~230 KB
- Dave Otero - Section 1 ~230 KB
- Andrew Scheps - Section 1 ~230 KB
Section 2: Slow & Anthemic
Groove-based passage with sustained power
- Research Team - Section 2 ~230 KB
- Jens Bogren - Section 2 ~230 KB
- Mike Exeter - Section 2 ~230 KB
- Adam "Nolly" Getgood - Section 2 ~230 KB
- Josh Middleton - Section 2 ~230 KB
- Fredrik Nordström - Section 2 ~230 KB
- Buster Odeholm - Section 2 ~230 KB
- Dave Otero - Section 2 ~230 KB
- Andrew Scheps - Section 2 ~230 KB
Audio Files (Mixes, Stems & Multitracks)
All audio materials from the HiMMP project are available in high-quality WAV format via our Box.com repository. This includes original volume masters, loudness-matched mixes, individual stems, and the full multitrack session.
HiMMP Audio Repository
Access the complete audio collection including:
- Original Volume Masters - Mixes as delivered by each producer
- Loudness-Matched Masters - All mixes normalized to -10.4 LUFS
- Original Volume Stems - Individual instrument tracks per producer
- Loudness-Matched Stems - Stems normalized by instrument type
- Full Multitrack Session - Complete WAV multitrack for DIY mixing
Note: Files are provided in uncompressed WAV format for maximum fidelity. Total repository size is approximately 1.2 GB.
Research Data & Documentation
Raw data from the listening experiment and acoustic feature analysis.
Survey & Perceptual Data
Acoustic Feature Measurements
Processed JSON Data
Web-ready structured data used by this application
Usage Guidelines & Citation
Intended Use
These materials are provided for educational, research, and analysis purposes. Users are encouraged to:
- Study production techniques and aesthetic differences between mixes
- Conduct acoustic analysis and perceptual research
- Use in academic courses on music production or psychoacoustics
- Develop and test computational models of musical attributes
License & Attribution
The HiMMP dataset is provided for academic and educational use. Commercial use requires permission. When using these materials in publications, presentations, or projects, please cite:
Herbst, J-P., Mynett, M., Fenton, S., Czedik-Eysenberg, I., Smialek, E., & Reuter, C. (under review). "Hard and Heavy: A Perceptual Study of Acoustic Hardness and Heaviness Aesthetics in Metal Music Production." Music Perception.
Herbst, J-P., Mynett, M., Fenton, S., Czedik-Eysenberg, I., Smialek, E., & Reuter, C. (under review). "Musical Heaviness as a Conceptual Blend: The Asymmetrical Roles of Textural Hardness and Temporal Punch." Psychology of Music.
Acknowledgments
We gratefully acknowledge the nine internationally recognized producers who contributed their time and expertise, the 79 listening experiment participants, and the musicians and engineers involved in the original recording.
This research was supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), UK. Grant: AH/T010991/1.