Digital Mastering Software

[JMAC]

What is the best bang for your buck in Mastering Software for Windows or Mac?

[DAS]

Originally posted by JMAC
What is the best bang for your buck in Mastering Software for Windows or Mac?

"Mastering" is one of those terms that's used so loosely these days it might help if you defined what you want to do, specifically, first. I'm not sure you can gauge the pertinence of the replies you may get without knowing if you're on the same page in terms of expectations.

[Kenny Bergle]

JMAC,
Hi! Kenny Bergle here. (I am moderating this forum, even though it says I'm a junior member!)

I agree with DAS about the definition of mastering. Historically, it meant making the final product, heard via the final delivery method, sound like it was produced by somebody that knew the ins and outs of the various signal processing schemes for various formats. Pre-Emphasis, compression, EQ and many more signal prcessing events were (are) all used differently depending on the delivery format. A "master" tape would be mastered differently if it was for TV or Film or the Radio or something else. TV audio was (and still is) very different from Radio audio that is different still from Film audio, etc. The lines or distinction are indeed blurring these days, but the old Masters (pin intended, as pitiful as it is) know that they get paid to make the music sound great not matter what format it's played back on.
When I was involved in a lot of mastering in my old days of studio owner, I was suprised to learn that I had to deliver a Master tape on 1/4" and cassette and DAT (this was before CD recorders were accessible to small studios like mine) for a record label and that they were all mastered differently, even though the music was exactly the same. It really opened my eyes about how the format (CD, or cassette, or FM radio, or Satelite TV vs. cable TV, or film, etc...) changes the music.

Anyway, what do you want to do? Just burn CDs that you give to your relatives or make a master disc for duplication and distribution or do you want to 'remix' stuff and make CDs of that or what? And what are you using for audio hardware?

Thanks for posting this and participating in our brand new Forums section of the Sweetwater website!

Kenny Bergle
Sweetwater
800 222 4700 ext 1270

[JMAC]

Sorry for being so vague! When I say "Mastering" I'm referring to polishing the final product in audio production. I'm interested in knowing the different types of software that is available for creating "Masters" (final products) for music. Then burning those to CD for reproduction.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[conguero]

I use Peak VST for mac and it works quite well. Soundforge is also a good program.

[Magic]

What is the best bang for your buck in Mastering Software for Windows or Mac?

Hey JMAC,
Mastering is a totally different artform, I'm sure you know that already. I usually bring my projects to a professional mastering engineer, but when I dabble with mastering, I play with Samplitude or Soundforge. Soundforge is great, but Samplitude is better IMHO. My mastering engineer uses Samplitude, so I might be a bit biased . Of course, if we're talking higher end, Pro Tools might be a consideration.., and if you want to go even HIGHER , Sadie or Sonic Solutions are the best IMHO. There are actually some great programs out there.., but more important than the program is the person using the program . Just make sure that whatever you choose is what works best for YOU . I'm out...

With Respect & Honor,
Magic

[Hynek]

Originally posted by DAS
I'm not sure you can gauge the pertinence of the replies you may get without knowing if you're on the same page in terms of expectations.

I LOVE your English, David

[sdelsolray]

Originally posted by JMAC
What is the best bang for your buck in Mastering Software for Windows or Mac?

The Waves Mastering Budle is very good, particularly for the price ($600 street).

[recordingpro]

What are you working with? do you have a Mac or PC? Are you looking to do demo's, professional release's....?

There are a lot of decent tools out there. The best tool though is knowledge - knowing when to use what tool, how to best set it up, how it works, etc. Talent helps also :-)

If you are serious about a project, refer it to a mastering engineer. I do mastering work myself, and i have spent a long time developing my talent in this area. It's really easy (and very affordable)to get your files to sound "HOT", but it can be very difficult to get them to go from sounding good to sounding great. with that said, you have to learn somehow, so i reccomend experimenting. you may even want to try to master a project and then send an unmastered copy to an engineer and have them master it - then compare the two, and have the mastering engineer teach you about why the professionally mastered version sounds better. I'd be happy to review your work sometime and give you some tips and suggestions. feel free to contact me outside of the forum also, if you want to have a deeper discussion on what is the best setup for your needs.

[Slovenec]

I agree with the others saying that 'mastering' has become a very loose term with many out their with a cracked copy of Wavelab, T Racks or a Finalizer in their rack saying that they are set up for 'MASTERING' LOL.

Well anyway, I use a Mac and Ive used TC Spark to get a more 'polished' sound for my clients backing tracks and other projects I've worked on. I've found editing some of the factory fx machine presets designed for 'mastering'(!) has yeilded great results.

Unfortunately TC has now decided to stop supporting Spark so I'm now switching over to Bias Peak 4.1 which i think will do more or less the same thing with a few more options.

I'm also interesting in checking out T Racks as Ive heard its great for warming up mixes and doing 'mastering(!)' with.

[michaelhoddy]

I love that this topic is three years old.

I also use Peak, but think of more as a two-track editor than anything having to do with "mastering."

"Mastering" to me is something that mastering engineers with better ears, better monitors, better room acoustics, and better gear do. Usually, they also work for "mastering houses."

Betcha none of them uses a Finalizer.

Not to say that there aren't legitimate uses for home-brew brickwall limiting (I use it), but I wouldn't call it mastering.

[conguero]

I know what you mean michael. But sometimes we home studio guys have to give out budget breaking packages because most of my clients want me to pitch, hit, and catch the ball. Some of them even suggested that I buy reproduction gear and handle the whole process from here. That is where I draw the line. I love to record and mix what I have recorded. I semi master the productions because what I can do can't totally be called mastering as michael has pointed out,but it is not what I love to do the most. As for reproduction, YUK!! It has to be boring waiting for those machines to copy the CD's.
LOL

[xstatic]

I have a cd printer/duplicator and I love it. I keep it at my house so I can run discs over night or while watching TV. Pop 25 discs in, 2 hours later pop 25 more in. Not only that, it was under $1500 and bands think it's God's gift....

[conguero]

Do you duplicate while you write in these posts?
I guess this is as good a way to let time go by while cd's burn. Did you get the machine a discmakers?

[StrykeBack]

i've found that for now with barely any budget I run my stereo buss through a mastering effect section in Reaktor Sessions. Its got the multiband compressions and limiting...and a lot of amazing presets that I still need to learn how to tweak...but it definitely gives my mixes a boost. I know I know...send it to a mastering engineer...but when peopl don't have money...this seems to be as good as it gets.