Mastering Audio

[alien_inside]

Software, Hardware, Process, Processes?, Processors?,Tools, Plug-ins, Settings, Techniques.....Mastering Speakers?

[alien_inside]

Gamit ko pala: Sound Forge lang with Izotope for Mastering...

[abyssinianson]

Since I am not a mastering engineer, i have little to suggest except the pieces of equipment I've sat in on during mastering sessions. I do know that a popular mastering platform is Soundblade and that seems to be the standard in most houses I've worked with and I can't say I've seen anything else in use. For speakers, try looking into Duntech Sovereign, B&W (especially the nautilus 800 series), Augsberger, Legacy...I've worked with the Sovereign locally and those are amazing speakers. However, none is more important in mastering than the setting of the mastering suite because the place needs to be dead accurate for all of your gear to make a difference. Good quality converters are a given and some I;ve seen in active use are the stuff from Prism, Lavry and Lynx.

[reycantong]

Now that's mastering gear 

But for me, eto lang gamit ko but it gets the job done:

1. Sonar + CD Architect
2. Pro Tools + CD Architect

Speakers ko, KRK vxt6 and a JBL lsr.

[skunkyfunk]

I've been gassing for a whole new set of mastering tools.  In most cases, you need a load of software and hardware processors.  Cleanup, noise reduction are usually done with software.  The hardware otoh is used for loudness maximizing, phase delays, compressing, limiting and EQ. 

I was thinking of getting the best bang-for-buck mastering tools and I thought of the following:

Maybe a Quested or ADAM monitor pair would be my bet.
A DBX Quantum II for processing
An EL Fatso for fattening up the sound
Sadie or Waves + Izotope can also work well for cleanups (hey, they use these for film sound cleanup, so they might work well for music too)
Aphex Compellor auto-limiter
And a good converter like Prizm or Benchmark

And the most important factor - THE ROOM.

[nolit]

Wavelab with tons of mastering plugins.
You will be surprised how mastering friendly wavelab is. Lots of options to explore.

[abyssinianson]

I've been gassing for a whole new set of mastering tools.  In most cases, you need a load of software and hardware processors.  Cleanup, noise reduction are usually done with software.  The hardware otoh is used for loudness maximizing, phase delays, compressing, limiting and EQ. 

I was thinking of getting the best bang-for-buck mastering tools and I thought of the following:

Maybe a Quested or ADAM monitor pair would be my bet.
A DBX Quantum II for processing
An EL Fatso for fattening up the sound
Sadie or Waves + Izotope can also work well for cleanups (hey, they use these for film sound cleanup, so they might work well for music too)
Aphex Compellor auto-limiter
And a good converter like Prizm or Benchmark

And the most important factor - THE ROOM.

Since you mentioned the Fatso, I just want to add that the upcoming release of UAD's software should include the EL Fatso and the Little Labs IBP which is a great tool for tidying up phase issues on multiple mic setups. UA puts out some pretty good stuff so I am quite confident that the Fatso is going to be very close to the HW version. Folks were asking for the Distressor but I think EL is going to test the waters first with the Fatso to see how people are going to like it. I personally refrain from removing stuff from my racks so having a plug version of EL gear to put on a drum or bass bus is going to be very, very cool for working remotely from the studio. For users of PT - RTAS is getting support with the new plugs - schwing!

[KitC]

Wavelab with tons of mastering plugins.
You will be surprised how mastering friendly wavelab is. Lots of options to explore.

I can't do without Wavelab's montage feature... that alone is worth the price of admission!