I'm wondering what has changed over the past 9 years with regard to putting together a Red Book CD. I'm assuming Red Book is still the standard. In '03 I used Wavelab 3 or 4 (don't remember which one). I'm wondering if Wavelab Elements or other software does the same thing Wavelab 3 or 4 did eight years ago. I currently use Cubase 6 for recording.

I've checked out a number of forums regarding cut down versions of Samplitude, Studio One, Sound Forge, and the full version of Reaper (Cockos business model makes me want to support Reaper). The threads that don't meander off topic mention a lot of delivery features required for outside mastering and cutting such as DDP. Even if I were to use such finishing services I would deliver a CD-r so I don't think I would need DDP features.

The last time I did a DIY CD project was in 2003. Wavelab worked a treat to "faux master" using VST plugins, sequence, and burn. Writing the music on my laptop in various cafes throughout Atlanta then designing labels for the inkjet printable CDs, designing, printing, collating, folding, and saddle stitching the CD inserts, and shrink wrapping the finished package in my breakfast nook was a lot of work but very satisfying. It wasn't "professional" but it sounded great (to my ears), the CD burn was rock solid, and the packaging turned out exactly as I intended. I traveled a lot so for "distribution" I was able to droplift the CDs in various cities throughout the U.S. I'm looking for the same level of (or lack of, depending on one's perspective ) production value and ease.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Those are DAWs and (should) do the same as what you now use Cubase for. Mastering like you did in WaveLab is a different process. So in that aspect not much has changed.

What I personally do is I export finished tracks in 24bit from the DAW. Then in CoolEditPro (why upgrade, it does perfectly what I need it for) I match the volumes and adjust dynamics a bit so they sit together well as an album. Then with Nero I burn it to disks.

Granted, it's maybe the oldfashionned way. But you'll find the process is the same everywhere. Mixing --> Mastering --> Duplication. The tools themselves are irrelevant.

Bert, I don't have CoolEdit but I would assume that Wavelab Elements would be equally functional and affordable. It sounds like the overall process hasn't changed much. Thanks for the info.

I'm surprised that as the number of well specified MT DAWs has grown over the past ten years the number of equally well specified fuax mastering/editing programs has remained about the same.