Mastering software

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2001 10:08 am

I'm interested in finding mastering software that won't break the bank. I have looked at Sonic Solutions SonicStudio HD but there seem to be no retailers selling it. I also looked at T racks and a couple of others. I'm using a PC with Sonic Foundry Sound Forge and Cool Edit now. What I need is a good two track mastering program...and advice or suggestion would be appreciated.

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2001 2:36 pm

Checkout Ozone, by Izotope..http://www.izotope.com

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2001 12:36 pm

Depends on what you mean by breaking the bank- if you even *thought* about the ($10K+, I think) Sonic Solutions setup, then virtually everything else would be cheap... Sequoia is starting to make it's presence felt as a viable native based, high end mastering setup- that, plus a Waves Gold Bundle, plus computer, would set you back probably $6K, unless you already have the computer. You could probably do with the similar Samplitude 2496 if you can handle the slightly less flexible crossfade editing and a couple of other little things, for under a grand (vx. 3 for Sequoia software). Wavelab is a good program, as well, although I think it's a little clunky. On the Mac side, get Adaptec Jam or Emagic Waveburner Pro, and use Bias Peak or TCWorks Spark for editing and processing.Other people use other things- I know people who have set up Logic Audio to work as a mastering application, and I frequently end up doing processing in Digital Performer. I'm looking to switch to Samplitude/Sequoia, if that's worth anything, mostly for workflow reasons. The most important thing is to try a few to see what works best for you. <blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by GZsound:
I'm interested in finding mastering software that won't break the bank. I have looked at Sonic Solutions SonicStudio HD but there seem to be no retailers selling it. I also looked at T racks and a couple of others. I'm using a PC with Sonic Foundry Sound Forge and Cool Edit now. What I need is a good two track mastering program...and advice or suggestion would be appreciated.<hr></blockquote>

Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2001 9:23 am

Thanks for the help. I actually have found a lot of information in the last week. Software that costs a thousand dollars or more is "breaking the bank" to me. I have checked out Waves products, Isotrope Ozone, T-Racks, and several others. What I have found out is T-racks is getting pretty good reviews although it is a stand alone program and not a plug in. Waves is way too expensive for my use. I am going to try out DB-Audioware's Direct X plug-in programs which are only a few bucks each and see what I can do with them. I will more than likely get T-racks shortly. I already get a pretty good product with the software I have installed on my computer (Sound Forge and Cool Edit) so I'm just trying to see if I can gain some small improvement with small investment.Thanks.

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2001 10:55 am

Hi, i have been using SEKD software for 6 years,since its beginning...Try out a free demo at
Magix.com
samplitude master- is the mastering program it has very nice multi-band compressors,noise reduction and it sound great...Its a little steep on the learning curve but time well invested.
Best Harry

Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2001 7:28 pm

Check out nuendo.

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2001 4:06 am

Hi there,You say you have checked out Ozone, but not what the result was. If you are thinking of buying T-Racks instead, I would suggest you download the demo for Ozone and give it a proper try. I have both programs and have completely stopped using T-Racks since I got Ozone!Mark Wink

Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2001 6:51 am

If you already have DAW software, these can often double as mastering suites (Logic and Nuendo come to mind, but others can work as well).Also, check out PSP's vintage warmer. It's a Dx/VST plug in. I've just tried this on a session, and first results are very impressive, though it does lack dithering options. Soundwise, for mastering compression/limiting and tone "shaping" it's a lot of bang for the buck.

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2001 1:11 am

Thanks for all the great advice. While I'm waiting for more dollars to flow in, I purchased a neat program called db-M from db Audioware (db-audioware.com). It was $39.00 and is a Direct X plug in. I'm using it with Cool Edit and it seems to work pretty neat. It's a three band limiter/compressor with assignable bands, solo per band and so far no distortion at all as far as I can tell.I haven't tried Ozone or T-Racks yet but both have had a lot of recomendations. Thanks again..

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2001 3:02 pm

I realize that you are on a budget (aren't we all?), but don't forget - You get what you pay for!
I checked out T-Racks some time ago and was NOT impressed. Somebody else mentioned the PSP Vintage Warmer. I have the demo and I like it alot. I am having a little bit of trouble with it in shaping the bottom end, however, but it really does sound great. I have also checked out Ozone. It has some pretty cool features - like the RTA view - but I was less than ecstatic at the sound. Maybe I haven't given it enough time. You might also check out the plugs from SonicTimeworks.

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2001 10:29 am

"*******" if u really dont want to break the bank (cauz all ********* software seems to be easy to get cracked)!

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2001 10:50 am

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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2001 10:59 am

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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2001 7:51 pm

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by Jon Best:
You could probably do with the similar Samplitude 2496 if you can handle the slightly less flexible crossfade editing and a couple of other little things, for under a grand (vx. 3 for Sequoia software).
<hr></blockquote>I love Samplitude. I do basic editing with light mastering mostly for in house projects and a few that just come to me for just mastering. I haven't tried Sequoia, but it is probably really great. My only complaint is that it should support Native VST, but I assume that will be here in V. 6.1.

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2001 10:07 pm

I tried Ozone and wasn't impressed with it either. I've been using Samp 2496 and Wavelab, both are ok, but if you are on a budget and already have Cool Edit, my suggestion is to upgrade it to Cool Edit Pro. The addition of the hard limiter is worth the upgrade, it's excellent as is the noiseprinting. With the addition of some DX plug-ins, TC, Waves Gold Bundle, SEK'D plugs you will have a cheap but viable basic mastering set-up. De-clicker and noise reduction algorithms leave a bit to be desired IMHO, best to go with Cedar for restoration.

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