Newbie Mastering Software

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2001 3:26 pm

I posted a similar question in Harvey's forum without much results so I thought I would try here. I run a small recording studio that does mostly demos and low budget indy releases. I prefer to have my mixes mastered by a professional mastering house because I don't have the tools and monitor set up to get proper results. However, I often have to give clients a finished product that won't go out to be mastered. I am thinking of getting a software package to take care of a little "mastering" here in my studio for such occasions. I already run Digital Performer on my G3 mac. I was thinking of getting either Spark or Peak for 2 track editing and Adaptec Jam for CDR burning. Would this setup work for my situation? Should I buy a Windows PC and get Sound Forge or Wavelab? I like the editing and DAO burning capabilities of Sonic Foundry's CD Architect and Steinberg's Wavelab. Is there a similar product for the Mac platform? What do you guys use? Thanks in advance for your help. Bob

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2001 2:36 am

Wavelab and Soundforge are excellent. I've heard good things about T Racks. Even Cool Edit has it's uses.You might want to think about improving your monitoring first though, otherwise what's the point?

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2001 9:16 am

Bob, All of the programs you mentioned will be a good start for editing. I'd try and stay away from running your whole mix through an EQ plug (if you can help it). I think all of those programs you mentioned will support Waves' plugs. I beta test for them. Gnerally, they make good stuff. I'd recommend the L1 for level control/dither (it has IDR, a very good one). The REQ sounds pretty good too. Just use your ears and make sure you are helping instead of hurting. Try every tool available (on your own time) and listen to the results (in diff rooms if you don't have a nice monitor setup in your place). FWIW, I like Sound Forge 5.0 (still using CD Architect of 4.5) on the PC side and Peak (a few less bells and whistles) on the Mac side (of the programs you mentioned).

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2001 7:14 am

hello there, I am new to this forum, and came exactly to learn something about mastering inhouse, without giving it away to specific mastering-studio.. (As it always depends on the budget, to give it away or to do it alone). I am on Logic Audio Platinum (Mac G4), and a big fan of VST-plugins. I also used T-Racks, The Waves-stuff...to master. But now I found the plugs that make my ears smile: The MixPack from PSP-Audioware. Those guys are from Poland, and their stuff really give me this "Ahh, good, it doesn´t sound so digital as before...more warmer..hmm.!..nice"-feeling. This is the problem I have with the Waves-plugs: For me it´s too clean, too digital. So my search for *my* best mastering-plugs is over for now...and that feels good. best regards putte(by the way, I am not a representative of those Polnish rockers..) Wink

Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2001 12:25 pm

Putte, I'm always interested in good sounding stuff. Does PSP-Audioware have a website?

Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2001 1:45 pm

Yes. You guessed it: <A HREF="http://www.pspaudioware.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.pspaudioware.com</A> I'd be very interested in your assessment of these plugins. I bought them on the recommendation of a few people in the Logic Audio Users' Group, but I guess I'm too much of a newbie to be able to say whether they're any good or not from my own brief experience with them. Seems to me that it's too easy to overdo the distortion, and otherwise the effect is often very subtle. (But maybe that's what is supposed to happen??)Don

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2001 6:16 am

Don, I shoulda' been able to guess that! Thanks a lot. If they have a demo I dload it and let the group know what I think.

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2001 3:51 pm

Yes paul, there are demo-versions on the webpage...Would be very interesting to know what you think about them .very curious Wink

putte

Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2001 8:25 pm

they aren't pro tools compatible are they

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2001 3:03 am

No, they aren´t ProTools-compatible. The´re just VST. putte

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2001 3:51 am

If you're using a PC I think (one of) the best program(s) available is samplitude. It's available as samplitude master for about 250$ I think an it has very good EQ's and Multiband Dynamics right away! :p Editing and setting fades is just a breeze!

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