As for all Medianalyst research, the program being tested is transmitted in such a way as to provide optimal listening and viewing conditions, whether online or offline.

The sound tracks undergoing continuous evaluation are accompanied by an image which constantly reminds the participants of the nature of their response.

To measure the extent to which the voter appreciates a title, or would like to hear it on the radio or own the CD, the questions may be set as follows :

I like it I don't like it   I'd like to hear this track on the radio I wouldn't like to hear this track on the radio   It makes me want to buy the disc It doesn't make me want to buy the disc

Music tests are significantly more informative when sample recruitment permits interrogation of specific targets, in addition to the general social-demographic target groups :
• budget dedicated to music
• number of CD's purchased per year
• preferred types of music
• place of purchase of CD's and cassettes
• motivation for purchase (desire to own latest releases, for collection, to renew music library, etc)

If the launch of a disc takes place in partnership with a radio station, targets such as favourite station, frequency of listening or average listening time in given time frames can also be studied.

Some of the main applications for musical research are :

• continuous evaluation of extracts from new titles extracts from 30 to 60 seconds)
• selection of singles to extract from a new album
• selection of tracks to compile (track-listing)
• choice of best sound bed for a TV spot by testing clip extracts
• choice of best visual illustration for a TV spot by testing clip extracts
• evaluation of video clips; research on the musical programming of video clips
• study of artists' image, study of how they are perceived by the public
• study of how an album is positioned; research into slots for TV and radio spots
• pretesting of TV and radio spots
• visual research for disc sleeves and concert bills
• promotion optimisation
• study of an artist's compatibility with a radio station or TV channel with a view to partnership

During Medianalyst music research sessions, extracts of less than 10 seconds are sufficient to obtain an evaluation. As an indication, in a one-and-a-half hour session, it is possible to test the appreciation and familiarity of nearly 400 musical extracts.

As Medianalyst participants convey a personal reaction by moving the cursor, the responses are perfectly spontaneous, unlike traditional quantitative methods, which oblige interviewees to provide a response chosen from a grid of possible values.