Mastering Plugins

[RDMS]

Originally Posted by mightymusic

Izotope Ozone 3 is a fantastic mastering plugin.

Actually Ozone 4 is better. Mainly because of it's mid/side capabilities.

Some of the other toys I've used with great results are...

Kjaerhus MPL-1 Pro SE mastering limiter. (The best I've heard yet)

PSP Neon linear phase EQ. ( very accurate BUT very processor heavy)

Sonalksis Essential compressor. (Not strictly a mastering compressor but great)

JB Ferox Tape simulation (Free and super for smoothing things out a little)

[Ryan Ferris]

Though there are a ton of quality plug-ins for mastering such as mcdsp, psp, and brainworx (come to mind)..... I have found lately that all I need for mastering is offered in the UAD stuff.

[SafeandSoundMastering]

I agree a confident ME should be able to create good masters with just plugins. However there are times, no doubt that analogue kit has the edge and that what it's about at all times, having the edge in gear selection and ability.

SafeandSound Mastering
online mastering

[RDMS]

Originally Posted by SafeandSoundMastering

I agree a confident ME should be able to create good masters with just plugins. However there are times, no doubt that analogue kit has the edge and that what it's about at all times, having the edge in gear selection and ability.

SafeandSound Mastering
online mastering

Agree. The software options now are out there for quality mastering, but analogue still has an important role to play.
Obviously for those with limited funds it can be a hard thing to justify. Heck, some people even have problems with the price of quality software.

I giggle a little about people complaining UAD's Manley Massive Passive costs $300 + the card. Outragious?
$10,000 bought you the hardware unit and nobody that owned it complained about the price. No multiple instances there, just a solid piece of pro kit.

[SafeandSoundMastering]

Well whilst the Massive Passive is a well known eq when I heard it in a shop some time back I took my own music cd with for reference. I was somewhat underwhelmed by the unit for the price. Sure it looks good, sure it's built well, and the electronics looks nice. But I could not get my head around the ill defined low frequency blur and rather harsh and scratchy top end.

I will leave it at saying I think it is a quite an odd choice as a primary mastering equalizer. The mid range however were nice indeed.

I guess I am just not dazzled by the equipments facia and can focus on the important bit..... how it sounds. Cranesong was not setting me on fire either.Nothing that cannot be matched or improved upon in or out the box on those 2 units IMO. (especially with the UAD now out.)

[RDMS]

Granted the Manley is not a surgical eq. It does impart a nice sheen on appropriate material though. Bit like a Pultec in that regard.
The UAD version is in my system and mostly used for it's character rather than any specific corrections.
I merely used it as an example of hardware to software and it's pricing difference.
I wait patiently for UAD to recreate an Avalon AD2077.

[SafeandSoundMastering]

I am not suggesting that it does not have it's uses I just found it very expensive for an equalizer that I would only use for mid range duties. Of cours the UAD versions is pretty good value if you are short of a good eq for colourful mid range cuts or boosts.

cheers

[RDMS]

Meanwhile, back in the world of mastering plug-ins, I really like the Flux Epure II.
For those that want to check it out http://www.fluxhome.com/products/plug_ins/epure2
Free demo download and they have a sale on at the moment too.

[Alan Moon]

Anyone tried the SPL Passeq Analog Code Plug-In?

Thoughts?

[SafeandSoundMastering]

I have tried the demo version and I though it was ok. It had something other eq's did not have I think it could be useful.

However it created pretty bad blue screens on Win Xp 32 in Nuendo 4.3 on my particular system.