KVR Audio

ravasb · Post by **ravasb** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 5:19 pm

I have finally made a few tracks that I can live with and would be willing to release, at least under an assumed name. Any suggestions for mastering programs and hosts? I make most of my tracks in Ableton Live 4.

dx-9 · Post by **dx-9** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 5:32 pm

powercore firewire.
buzzcomp bundle

and at least ... dont forget good ol' hardware .....

butter · Post by **butter** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 5:33 pm

Wavelab, SoundForge, Ozone, TRacks...

kritikon · Post by **kritikon** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:36 pm

powercore firewire.
buzzcomp bundle

Wavelab, SoundForge, Ozone, TRacks...

Plus....
Waves
Kjaerhus GCO1, GUP1, GAC1, Unipressor, GoldEq
PSP MixSat, Vintage Warmer, Eq
BBE Sonic Maximiser
Crysonics Spectralive
DSPFX FX suite
Sonalksis suite
Tls - everything
UAD
Harbal
URS Eqs
Voxengo - lots
Digitalfishphones everything
QuantumFX
DB Mastering suite
TC Native bundle
Eqium, Firium, Neodynium
Cubase SX
Sonar
Orion
Tracktion
Even Logic if you're desperate....

I'm sure there are several more that could be used.

dx-9 · Post by **dx-9** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:43 pm

could be... yes... and two good ears at least

Left Headphone · Post by **Left Headphone** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:51 pm

Ozone3 is hard to beat...

netsound · Post by **netsound** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:55 pm

No its not, I can take it out of my cdrom and beat it with the meat beater.

BONES · Post by **BONES** » Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:04 pm

I use PSP MixSaturator for a little oomph, DigitalFishPhones Endorphin for two-band compression adn then run it all through SoundForge's WaveHammer for volumus maximus.

Stuart Stuart · Post by **Stuart Stuart** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 12:00 am

Sony Inflator is well worth a look.

orangenut · Post by **orangenut** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 12:20 am

I recommend Ozone to prepare your 44.1/16 CD ready promo copy. The record label will/should arrange final mastering. All you should be concerned with is supplying a raw 96/24 or better mixdown and let them get on with it.

drinelli · Post by **drinelli** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 12:25 am

could be... yes... and two good ears at least

Yes I would say as many ears as you can lay your hands upon, (not literally), If I could use somebody elses ears instead of my own I might even get some mastering done, I said might, not to optimistic.

Stuart Stuart · Post by **Stuart Stuart** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 12:35 am

And compare, compare, compare - always use a commercial mix of a similar song as a reference point.

tee boy · Post by **tee boy** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:10 am

My advice would be to rent a REALLY nice stereo compressor and an equally nice stereo parametric EQ.

The is something that you can get with super analog gear in the high end. Iv spoken to loads of mastering engineers and its always the same - they like to get mixes that are slightly dull because then they can dial in some sweet glassy top.

This isnt a digital v analogue thing, its just a fact. Tracks need to go through some quality analogue processing at some point in there production. People who mix on wacking great SSL's find that the mastering process is pretty brief and no descript. Its people who mix in digital that benefit most from the kiss of the engineers secret outboard.

You pays you money, and you takes your choice. But this is what I'd do if I wanted to release something. Id make sure the mix was as perfect as possible, then Id rent some outboard to give my track that sparkle.

kritikon · Post by **kritikon** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 2:24 am

This isnt a digital v analogue thing, its just a fact. Tracks need to go through some quality analogue processing at some point in there production.

That's a bit of a sweeping myth itself. It doesn't need to at all. Certainly some choose to do so, and I understand why. It is not a prerequisite to use anything analogue. Likewise it is not a prerequisite to go all digital. They are all just choices that some use and some don't.

Moe Shinola · Post by **Moe Shinola** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 5:44 pm

I've had good feedback playing people test CDs for my 1st record which I am just finishing. I use the Sonitus bundle in S3PE, as well as IQ4, Buzzmaxi, OtiumFX(for the bass tracks) and Inspector. This obviously is not a dedicated mastering package but I've had to make do. So to keep from over-compressing the tracks(and having a noticable drop in the vocal level when drums come in, for example), I increase the volume just a bit and re-record, doing this several times until it's as loud as I want it. This requires a lot of trial and error and just using my ears for a guide. I've discovered that turning down the gain makeup on Buzzmaxi and turning up the Sonitus comp sounds preferable to me. It can be tough changing the levels of guitar and vocals independently when they're in the same track but Sonar's per-channel EQ is useful for this. I should be posting mp3 examples of the record on the internet soon so you can hear for yourself.

Mastering suggestions