There's way more to mastering than you seem to think!

Please search these forums and read up on the subject.

Here's a good post to start you off:
(Dead Link Removed)

Thomas B. added some great links at the bottom, check them out!

You don't use a mic preamp to master anything in the first place, even if you bought 2 of them for "stereo". They are designed for an entirely different application, and operate at different levels than mastering-intended gear is. Like Bent said, do your homework.

ya i should have explained what i was looking for more. i was thinking of using it more to sweeten the overall sound, im sure mastering is far beyond my ability.

In what way do you think it will sweeten the overall sound?

On a per track basis, or on your stereo mix?

I'd appreciate it if you would clarify what you mean by overall sound, perhaps we'd be able to help you better if we were on the same page...

overall sound as in main stereo mix sorry.
lets say im using cubase or pro tools and instead of putting a compressor on the main mix i could send it to the envoice and compress it there. im guessing the tube compressor on the envoice would be better than the standard compressor plug in that comes with cubase or protools. i could be wrong, thats why im asking here.
sweeten the sound as in make it warmer because of the tube.

nillox wrote: overall sound as in main stereo mix sorry.
lets say im using cubase or pro tools and instead of putting a compressor on the main mix i could send it to the envoice and compress it there. im guessing the tube compressor on the envoice would be better than the standard compressor plug in that comes with cubase or protools. i could be wrong, thats why im asking here.
sweeten the sound as in make it warmer because of the tube.

The problem with that idea is that unless you can bypass the preamps, your passing it all through another gainstage. Not so good. Bad even. You're likely to just end up with added distortion.

sweeten the sound as in make it warmer because of the tube.

You read too much marketing material. Tubes have very little to do with "sweetness" or "warmth" (unless you're referring to the considerable heat produced by the tubes).

I'm not saying that there isn't a certain amount of "sweet" and/or "warm" sounding tube gear out there... But the fact that a piece of gear has tubes doesn't automatically make it either.

hueseph wrote: The problem with that idea is that unless you can bypass the preamps, your passing it all through another gainstage. Not so good. Bad even. You're likely to just end up with added distortion.

oh ok, thats kinda what i needed to know, i was just wondering of a way to use the envoice on the main mix. thx anyway guys

But the fact that a piece of gear has tubes doesn't automatically make it either.

Want proof of Massive's statement?

Try a Presonus Bluetube - Absolute rubbish!

ya i kinda thought that piece of gear would be crap. i know that things wont be amazing just because they have a tube in it, i just thought that a mid priced mic pre amp/compressor/eq, that peaople have said is good, would be better than the standard plug ins that come with software.
thanks anyway ppl