Mastering tools comparison

VST, AU, AAX, CLAP, etc. Plugin Virtual Effects Discussion

Which is the best mastering tool?

Izotope Ozone
25
36%
T-Racks
19
28%
Adobe Audition
7
10%
Soundforge
8
12%
PSP vintage warmer
10
14%
 
Total votes: 69

RELATED
PRODUCTS

Post

stefancrs wrote:I have tested out all of the options in the poll, but I think nyquisteq + endorphin does a better job than any of them (you can ofcourse use them in audition)
The quality of NyquistEQ is undisputed... it's the control that makes it ill-suited to mastering.

Endorphin I've found to introduce clipping/distortion too often to be useful (love the other Fish Phones for tracking, tho).

Post

Lazlo Minimart wrote:
stefancrs wrote:I have tested out all of the options in the poll, but I think nyquisteq + endorphin does a better job than any of them (you can ofcourse use them in audition)
The quality of NyquistEQ is undisputed... it's the control that makes it ill-suited to mastering.

Endorphin I've found to introduce clipping/distortion too often to be useful (love the other Fish Phones for tracking, tho).
Control is a question of taste, while some people find it lacking that they can't see what frequency they are boosting / cutting me myself prefers it because I then avoid to go to a specific frequency just because I "know to boost a bit there" or so.

About the compressor: heavily depends on what kind of music you make, but I find it easy to make it not clip/distort by lowering the levels for the "low" and "high" bands instead of just adjusting the out gain. But. I usually make quite hard electronic dance music and usually try to get rid of level-dynamics and work with spectrum and rhythm dynamics instead. So it totally depends on in what way you want to tweak your main channel. Basicly I abuse compression because that's the sound I aim for :)

Post

stefancrs wrote:Control is a question of taste, while some people find it lacking that they can't see what frequency they are boosting / cutting me myself prefers it because I then avoid to go to a specific frequency just because I "know to boost a bit there" or so.
The lack of a frequency map isn't my issue nearly so much as it's just more difficult to dial in the right Q for a given band quickly with the existing controls.

For a similar sound to NyquistEQ with an interface I prefer, try Voxengo's new HarmoniEQ. It, too, lacks a frequency map, to keep the user from relying solely on numbers when dialing in settings.

Post

those lines behind are the frequencies.

RonC

Post

rpc9943 wrote:those lines behind are the frequencies.

RonC
I know. But without actual somewhat exact numbering, no way I would sit there and count lines :)

Post

Har-Bal and what about the Snalksis CQ1 and DQ1 www.har-bal.com
www.sonalksis.com

Post

well you dont have to count lines, its pretty obvious where the frequencies reside. each large space is low/med/high

RonC

Post

First I think you should not be mixing Host with Plugs in your Pool.

Second,Wavelab has no competition on mastering as a Host.

Third,Ozone is the most complete regarding to fuctions,but I voted for T-RackS cos its warmth with Vintage Warmer on second place "in your Pool".

But if you want usefull and transparent mastering tools look for Voxengo :D

Post

RAYA wrote:First I think you should not be mixing Host with Plugs in your Pool.

Second,Wavelab has no competition on mastering as a Host.
I have to disagree here. Samplitude 8 sure gives Wavelab a run for it's money when it comes to a mastering host.

Cheers!
bManic

Post

bmanic wrote:
RAYA wrote:First I think you should not be mixing Host with Plugs in your Pool.

Second,Wavelab has no competition on mastering as a Host.
I have to disagree here. Samplitude 8 sure gives Wavelab a run for it's money when it comes to a mastering host.

Cheers!
bManic

Really ?? :-o

I haven't tried Samplitube but I've heard its an inestable cpu hog :lol:

That's what I've been told I dunno...

Post

question how do you use adobe audition to master things

RonC

Post

In your host (in your case, Tracktion), export the entire project as a stereo .wav (might as well keep it at 32-bit resolution while you're at it, since you can reduce bit-depth later in Audition).

That's it.

Once your .wav file is ready, you open it in Audition. Beyond that, there are a million different things that you can do, but they all fall under the category "How do I master?" rather than, "How do I master in Audition?" which is too broad a subject to give a decent answer to right here and now.

If you're not at the point where you're happy with how the mix itself sounds (ie. pre-export) then you're not ready to master the track anyhow. You're still in the mixing phase.

Greg
Image

Post

But if you want to eq>comp>limit,for example,you have to do one efx at the time? :? or you can set several efx simultaneously in real time?

Post

Can't vote as would vote for both Ozone and Vintage Warmer.
Member 12, Studio One Pro 7, VPS Avenger, Kontakt 8, Spitfire, Sonible, Baby Audio, CableGuys. Recent best buy - EZ Drummer 3 with Bandmate

Post

RAYA wrote: Second,Wavelab has no competition on mastering as a Host.
It's not even a pro app. Real Mastering studios use something like SADiE or Pyramix or similar.

I haven't tried Samplitube but I've heard its an inestable cpu hog

That's what I've been told I dunno...
Don't spread rumours but say what you know. It serves everyone better.
:wink:
I have no problems with CPU or stability on my system.
Regarding CPU use, in Samplitude any FX 'attached' to Objects are only active when the object plays, hence conserving CPU. You see ? Facts not rumours.
:wink:

Post Reply

Return to “Effects”