batest

.batest is an open, ZIP-based file format for storing reproducible blind audio comparison test data: the audio tracks being compared, the metadata needed to reproduce the listening experience, and optional supporting material. It was created for the Blind Audio Test project, so that listening tests can be packaged, shared, and re-run independently of any single application.

This repository contains the format's specification, JSON Schemas, and supporting material for third-party developers who want to read or write .batest files.

Specification

The authoritative specification lives in SPEC.md. If you are implementing a .batest reader or writer, start there.

Machine-readable JSON Schemas (Draft 2020-12) for the format's two JSON documents are in schema/:

• schema/manifest.schema.json
• schema/test.schema.json

Status

The specification is versioned independently of any implementation. The current version is v1, the first stable public release of the format. See CHANGELOG.md for release history.

Roadmap

• MUSHRA support is planned and conceptual only — it is not yet part of this specification. Field names and structure for a future MUSHRA test type are not finalized and are subject to change once the test type is actually implemented and specified.
• A user-defined Rating test type (with numeric and bipolar scale types) is already part of v1 — see SPEC.md.

License

This repository is dual-licensed:

• The specification and other prose documentation (SPEC.md, README.md, and related Markdown files) are licensed under CC-BY-4.0.
• The JSON Schemas and example files (schema/, examples/) are licensed under the MIT License.

Contributing

Contributions and proposals are welcome. See CONTRIBUTING.md for how to propose changes.