Ableton Forum

Hello,

Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for some good mastering software I can use with my mac. I'm very familiar with Sound Forge but unless I want to run bootcamp and parallels to jump between operating systems I can't use it. Ableton won't allow me to render to MP3 nor allow me to add track information i.e. (Track Title (Well besides the way you save your aif or wav file), Composed By, Copywrite, Album Title, etc). I guess I was spoiled with Acid because I can do it all that within that same program. So any suggestions would be great.
Thank you!

JES

JES Universual wrote:Hello,

Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for some good mastering software I can use with my mac. I'm very familiar with Sound Forge but unless I want to run bootcamp and parallels to jump between operating systems I can't use it. Ableton won't allow me to render to MP3 nor allow me to add track information i.e. (Track Title (Well besides the way you save your aif or wav file), Composed By, Copywrite, Album Title, etc). I guess I was spoiled with Acid because I can do it all that within that same program. So any suggestions would be great.
Thank you!

JES

when i need an mp3 of the stuff i render in ableton, i just drop the aiff into itunes to add it to my library, then i right click it and choose Convert Selection to MP3 (bitrate 128/160/192, change it in the advanced/import portion of the preferences).

as far as mastering, I like to use izotope's Ozone3. they have a 10day demo, give it a shot, i just use it on my master track in ableton live in each set. very intuitive and not bad for the price, if you are a student you can get a killer deal at the academicsuperstore.com

I still use Wavelab in Parallels myself, though I'm slowly using Wave Editor by Audiofile Engineering more and more. Sometimes I use Waveburner that comes with Logic 8 as well.

Tarekith wrote:I still use Wavelab in Parallels myself, though I'm slowly using Wave Editor by Audiofile Engineering more and more. Sometimes I use Waveburner that comes with Logic 8 as well.

+1

To me, there is nothing more soothing to my workflow than Steinberg's Wavelab, and that is about the only remorse I feel about using my new mac.

BUT, as Tarekith says, Wave Editor is available, it's definitely different from Wavelab, but does the trick. I really like the quick "dither" process that you can do on files when downsampling 24 bit masters to 16 bit for CD's, and converting to MP3.

I also use logic as a wav editor on occasion, but it's just a little annoying.

As for Waveburner, I haven't gotten around to "learning" it yet.

Both of my audio/midi interfaces came with a bundled Mac program, Cubase LE, that does the job. It actually has more than I need, and plenty of features I do need... but it's a crummy interface, and hard to find some things, or even remember how to use it if you don't do it often. It's got all the basics I need for mastering effects, like compressor, eq....

It'll export out to WAV or AIFF, and, like you already saw, iTunes is a free MP3 exporter that's very capable. It also does a whole list of files at once, so you can save up your MP3 exports, if you produce a lot of 'em, and set it going on those while you leave and do something else.

You export from Live to Cubase to master??

Why?

Nope, but that's because I'm not mastering anything I make with Live yet. I use Cubase LE for mastering stuff made elsewhere, like Reason, or voiceover work. The original question was, "Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for some good mastering software I can use with my mac." So I didn't think Live was either relevant, or an option -- I figure JES probably considered Live already.

I use Live for live performance and for making quickie recordings of online demos, but when I'm prepping output for the public, I use Cubase LE. I haven't compared the 2 programs. Maybe Live is awesome for it, but I already use Cubase LE, and so that's why I offered the idea.

One thing I rely on, in Cubase LE, is the ability to make a Marker track. Markers can be named, and those names help me find and work on bits like, "here's where 2 more voices start singing" or "this selection makes a good loop" -- and more.

I've got lots to learn about mastering, so ... teach me. I'm listening. Why use Live?

Thanks, Tarekith. I'll want to read that carefully, later. It looks interesting. I just had to skim it, and these parts were intriguing:

"Yeah yeah", I hear you muttering, "but how do I master my songs in the first place?"

To put it bluntly, you don't.

What?

Let me say this again, in case you skipped over it. If you are writing and releasing your own songs, there is no reason to “master” them per se.

Everything you need to do to make a song sound good can be done in the mixdown, and this is where you should focus 100% of all your learning and attention if you ask me. There's only one exception, and that's getting the levels more inline with today's standards, and I'll come back to that later.

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT HOW LOUD THE SONG IS UNTIL YOU ARE COMPLETELY DONE WITH IT.

Read the details, then we'll discuss.

mooncaine wrote:Nope, but that's because I'm not mastering anything I make with Live yet. I use Cubase LE for mastering stuff made elsewhere, like Reason, or voiceover work. The original question was, "Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for some good mastering software I can use with my mac." So I didn't think Live was either relevant, or an option -- I figure JES probably considered Live already.

I use Live for live performance and for making quickie recordings of online demos, but when I'm prepping output for the public, I use Cubase LE. I haven't compared the 2 programs. Maybe Live is awesome for it, but I already use Cubase LE, and so that's why I offered the idea.

One thing I rely on, in Cubase LE, is the ability to make a Marker track. Markers can be named, and those names help me find and work on bits like, "here's where 2 more voices start singing" or "this selection makes a good loop" -- and more.

I've got lots to learn about mastering, so ... teach me. I'm listening. Why use Live?

I'm with you, sorry. misunderstood. TBH, I use Live becasue Live is all I use.

T's guide will see you right.

Bias Peak Pro 5.

http://www.bias-inc.com/products/peakPro5/

Bias makes a very intuitive product and it is indispensable. I recommend you give it a try.