Comparison
Main Act vs Soundgym
Soundgym is the dominant ear-training platform for audio engineers, producers, and mix engineers. It's a daily-workout app focused entirely on training the listening skills that mixing requires: frequency identification, EQ detection, compression awareness, dynamics, distortion, panning, and tempo. The product is excellent and widely used in pro studios.
Main Act's Studio Mix overlaps directly. It includes 70 drills covering EQ identification, compression detection, reverb tail awareness, panning, gain staging, and frequency masking, the same skills Soundgym targets. It also adds a 650-card knowledge system, mix decision drills, and reference-track listening that Soundgym doesn't include.
The two products are the closest direct competitors in this audit. The differences are in scope, format, and what comes alongside the ear training.
Main Act is for
Mix engineers who want ear training plus mixing decisions, knowledge cards, and curriculum on EQ/compression/reverb/live sound, and who also want vocals, songwriting, or repertoire training inside the same practice system.
Soundgym is for
Pure ear-training focus. Producers and engineers who already have the rest of their workflow figured out and want a daily ear-training drill habit.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Main Act | Soundgym |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-discipline Concept Graph | 37 platform concepts tracked across voice, songs, ears, writing, and sound; weakness in one area up-weights relevant drills elsewhere | Audio ear-training only, no songwriting/vocal/live-sound coverage |
| Ear training drills | 70 drills across categories | ~30 drills, deeply parameterized |
| Knowledge cards (mixing theory) | 650+ cards with spaced repetition | |
| Mix decision drills | Yes: actual mixing scenarios | |
| Reference track library | Curated by genre with annotations | Reference matching exercises |
| EQ identification | Multiple drills, increasing precision | Yes: best-in-class EQ training |
| Compression detection | Yes: multiple drills | Yes: multiple drills |
| Live sound training | Full Live Sound school (changeover, gain-before-feedback, IEM) | |
| Belt progression | 9 belts shared across three disciplines | XP and rank system |
| Daily structured session | Adaptive 5-phase 20-30 min | Daily workout plan |
| Multi-discipline | Mixing + vocals + songwriting + repertoire | Audio ear training only |
| Pricing | $11.83/mo (yearly) or $495 lifetime | ~$10/mo, $96/yr, ~$300 lifetime |
Verdict
Soundgym is genuinely best-in-class for audio ear training. The EQ identification drills in particular are the most-parameterized and well-tuned versions of that exercise type on the market. If your only goal is to improve your ears for mixing, Soundgym does that one job extremely well.
Main Act's Studio Mix school covers Soundgym's territory and adds three things Soundgym doesn't: a knowledge card system with spaced repetition (so you retain mixing theory between sessions), mix decision drills (actual mixing scenarios where you make EQ/compression/level choices), and a Live Sound school that's an entirely separate skill area.
It also bundles vocals, songwriting, and repertoire under the same subscription. If you only want ear training, Soundgym's depth on that one task is unmatched. If you want ear training as part of broader mix engineering training, and especially if you're also a singer or songwriter, Main Act is the more complete platform.
Many mix engineers use both: Soundgym for the daily ear-training habit, Main Act for everything else around it.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Is Soundgym better for pure ear training?
On the specific drill of identifying EQ frequency boosts, Soundgym is the most-tuned version of that exercise. Main Act covers the same ground with comparable quality, plus categories Soundgym doesn't (mix decisions, knowledge retention, live sound).
Can I use Main Act and Soundgym together?
Yes: many engineers do. Soundgym for the daily ear workout, Main Act for the broader curriculum and the surrounding disciplines.
Does Main Act need any software or downloads?
No. All Main Act drills run in-browser using Web Audio: vocal pitch tracking, songwriting workspace, and repertoire practice work on phone, tablet, or desktop with nothing to install.
Try Main Act free
One plan unlocks the full Main Act practice system. Free tier is real and stays free, 1 session/day, no credit card.