Ableton Forum

Hey Guys,

So I'm looking to master some tracks, and I'm wondering what software I should get. I've been thinking about Logic Studio, but over here in NZ it's $800 and I just don't think I wanna spend that much money (though I might if there are no cheaper alternatives).

So my question -- are there any good mid-range mastering software suites that you guys would recommend? I just want to know all my options.

Thanks,
Jon

like Sony Soundforge?

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/soundforge

or the cut down v. of wavelab...

http://www.steinberg.net/955_1.html

or you could just do it within live...

3dot... wrote:or the cut down v. of wavelab...

http://www.steinberg.net/955_1.html

Cheapest I found for the cutdown version is $199 on bhphotovideo.com (always killer prices for new stuff!)... it is a crossgrade price for all users of the full version of most DAW including Ableton.

It will require a Steinberg Key for $28 too

Or, like 3dot said... you could just use Live.

See below for the B&H Pro deal...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... LSCG&Q=&O=

DO you have to be pro to get the pro deal?

liveISlife wrote:DO you have to be pro to get the pro deal?

lol you got me... My family has always referred to them as B&H Pro, but I don't believe that's their name. Old habits die hard.

I use Soundforge in conjunction with some nice plugins (awesome for mix finalizing/audio editing/cleaning up the sound quality etc. and the bundled CD Architect 5.2 is an awesome red book burning program. I would say it's better than the cutdown version of Wavelab but not as feature rich as the full version of Wavelab which is excellent.

If you get some nice mastering plugs such as a nice compressor (Live 7's compressor is actually a big improvement and usable for some things, but PSP Mastercomp is my favourite for mix finalizing), Limiter/Maximizer and EQ etc and some things such as phasing and better metering scopes and etc, Live is acceptable.

elxicano wrote:

liveISlife wrote:DO you have to be pro to get the pro deal?

lol you got me... My family has always referred to them as B&H Pro, but I don't believe that's their name. Old habits die hard.

I have Sound Forge. Even when I use it, I use purchased plug-ins within it. It is a good editor, and CD Architect is a worthy thing to have.
Along with some hardware I use the following plug-ins and find them invaluable.
PSP Neon HR--a fantastic linear phase equalizer with an analog feel.
Xenon--I have not found a better limiter, although I would loook at Voxengo Elephant as a cheaper and excellent alternative.
PSP Mastercomp or Vintage Warmer for compression.
I'll use Inspector XL for metering (and Live's spectrum analyzer).
I need nothing else.
I would look at Voxengo CurveQ, Marquis Comp and Soniformer as other tools.

INspector XL is a superb metering device, pity that it's now on ilok.

Sonalksis, Sonnox all good stuff for mastering.

I use Elephant as my preferred limiter,even though it's only 70 bucks it is far more versatile and cost efficient than say a Waves L1/L2/L3 and capable of more subtlety as well as punch it to the core limiting. I haven't found anything more expensive that I would shell out for because it is a fully professional tool.

Ozone 3 I find sweetens my tracks up pretty nice. It's cool if your a beginner at mastering to because its one plug in but has 6 different things it can do. It has a paragraphic EQ, mastering reverb, loudness maximizer, multi band harmonic exciter, multi band dynamics, and multi band, stereo imaging. Check it out, you can get a fully functional demo for like 20 days or something and u can even render it while in demo mode.