mastering software

[raab]

Can anybody recommend some good mastering software? I want to go from ADAT to mixer into soundcard into mastering software...

[enferno]

sound forge.

[raab]

I was looking at that program. The only downside to it I can see is that it doesn't look like you can master it so that songs overlap when you burn them. I hear this program puts a couple seconds between songs. I'd like to be able to have songs fade into each other. I think Steinberg's mastering software can do this. Anybody know?

[Son of Mixerman]

Just about any software package released in the last 2 years has some level of mastering "ability" but if your looking for a "special" programs designed for mastering there is Wavelab, Sound Forge with CD Atchitect 5.0, Samplitude Master 6.0 and V8 Master for PC's. Samplitude would be my choice since it does both advanced mutitracking and a very nice mastering template, not too mention the native dynamics are some of the best IMO for stock dynamics.


SoMm

[fenix]

wavelab with the waves mastering bundle. it'll cost ya though.,

[Massive Master]

I'm with SoMm... Samplitude's stock stuff is pretty amazing.

[Marciano]

I use Nuendo and i´m mixing and mastering on a Daw...I love this software.Plugins??All those that i now!LoL

[masteringhouse]

Kinda depends on what you mean by "mastering". If you are interested in processing audio, creating a redbook compatible CD, or both? Also depends on your budget.

Also there's more to mastering than just a piece of software, you have to have great reference monitors, an acoutically well-balanced room, and of course a good pair of ears.

[raab]

Originally Posted by masteringhouse

Kinda depends on what you mean by "mastering". If you are interested in processing audio, creating a redbook compatible CD, or both? Also depends on your budget.

Also there's more to mastering than just a piece of software, you have to have great reference monitors, an acoutically well-balanced room, and of course a good pair of ears.

Something to do both. I want a program to use in mixing adat into final wav files and then make redbook compatible CD's with. I also want a program that I can master CD's with songs overlapping into each other instead of with the 2-3 seconds between songs.

[ryanlikestorock]

Sony CD Architect. I think it's made by someone else now, but it'll do exactly what you're looking for. Or, Wavelab.

[masteringhouse]

Originally Posted by raab

Something to do both. I want a program to use in mixing adat into final wav files and then make redbook compatible CD's with. I also want a program that I can master CD's with songs overlapping into each other instead of with the 2-3 seconds between songs.

What do you mean by mixing ADAT into wav files? This is different than mastering. Software for creating CDs that supports full PQ editing may be purchased separately (e.g. Sony's CD Architect). Also you didn't mention a budget. A software recommendation will depend on what you can afford as prices range from about $500 to over $10K for minimal mastering software vs. high-end DAWs and dedicated mastering systems.

If you plan on doing a combination of recording and mastering for your projects you may also want to consider buying outboard gear so that you can cut with external compression and EQ. Depending on your workflow, you can use these to front-end a digital recording application for mastering. If you plan on actually mixing with the software however this may be a different story.

[raab]

Well, here's what I want to do. I'd like to record onto ADAT. Then at mixdown run Adat into mixer into soundcard into computer recording software and record the final mixes. Then take the final mixes and master them in the DAW. Then from there arrange the CD.

I may be using the wrong terminology.

I'm not planning on using the DAW for much other than stereo mix recording and mastering. I'm on a low low low budget, so I can't really go with anything expensive and what I do get will probably be used from Ebay. Plus I have the dreaded HP Pavilion as the only computer I'll be able to get my hands on in the next year or so. I'm planning to use the computer very minimally, I won't have the power to upload all the tracks I've recorded. I just want capability to record a good stereo mixes onto it and hopefully do some decent mastering. Nothing extravagent.

[masteringhouse]

Originally Posted by raab

Well, here's what I want to do. I'd like to record onto ADAT. Then at mixdown run Adat into mixer into soundcard into computer recording software and record the final mixes. Then take the final mixes and master them in the DAW. Then from there arrange the CD.

I may be using the wrong terminology.

I'm not planning on using the DAW for much other than stereo mix recording and mastering. I'm on a low low low budget, so I can't really go with anything expensive and what I do get will probably be used from Ebay. Plus I have the dreaded HP Pavilion as the only computer I'll be able to get my hands on in the next year or so. I'm planning to use the computer very minimally, I won't have the power to upload all the tracks I've recorded. I just want capability to record a good stereo mixes onto it and hopefully do some decent mastering. Nothing extravagent.

You could run into problems with the Pavillion's hard drive being able to keep up with recording audio. A dedicated 7200 RPM hard drive is usually recommended for audio recording. You will also need an audio interface to get from ADAT (or mixer) to the computer. The A/D converters in most soundcards that come with computers leave alot to be desired. Personally I think you would be better off mixing to 2 spare tracks on the ADAT than use your standard computer card. If you have more than 1 ADAT you could take the following approach:

After mixing to the ADAT take that mix, run it through any external processing gear you might have and master to 2 additional tracks on the ADAT. From there go through an audio interface that supports ADAT lightpipe so that you will not be doing any A/D conversion (just a digital copy) to the computer. This will get you around the cost of buying an A/D converter. Most audio interfaces also include some type of software that will allow you to edit wav files, so there will be an additional cost savings. Or use the audio interface to record, and front-end it with your outboard processors (I'm assuming that your external gear is better than the plug-ins supplied with low-cost/free software).

From there you just need CD burning software that allows full PQ editing. That's the cheapest way I can think of doing this with what you have available while still maintaining higher quality audio. It's not really what I would recommend though for serious work.

Wavelab is probably the best all-in-one lower-end software package for mastering. Sound Forge/CD Architect is also one to look into. This would take it up a notch from the solution above.

[raab]

Yeah, I hear these HP's can have trouble keeping up. I've had pretty good luck with this computer recording from minidisk to the harddrive with musicmatch jukebox without freezes or glitches for the most part. The times I have gotten freezes/skips with recording on this computer have been at times there's been a bunch of extra programs running. Once I can use this computer for DAW-stuff only I'll be disengaging a ton of programs, everything but the audio program I plan on using.

I know this isn't the best idea for DAW-stuff, but you gotta make due with what you have sometimes and it's better this than nothing at all.