Hi Everyone!

I've recently assembled a mini recording studio for producing rock music. The idea is to record the classic Rock Band material (Distortion/Clean Rhythm/Lead Electric Guitars, Bass, Drums, Vocals and some Strings background). My current DAW is Steinberg's Cubase 5 and i'd like to read your opinion on what mastering software to use.

I know Cubase has it's own Mastering Suite but there may be better options that are specialized in that area.
I've read about Izotope's Ozone 5 but I'd like to know some other options.

Thanks in advance!

Rock On!
Cheers!

 

Need a bit more info -- What Operating System and DAW are you using ?

 

I mentioned the DAW before... Cubase 5
OS -> Windows 7 ultimate x64

 

I recommend you SlateFX !!!

Any good Master-EQ before it (if needed) and SlateFX, that's it !
Makes any track amazing.

Has good presets to start and with a little adjustment you get what your track needs.
Has an awesome Compressor and Limiter, plus dithering.
But the best thing is the way you can handle the transients with it.
You get the last punch out of it without any destruction(sure..., you can overdo it too)!!!

I made a little rock track with superior drummer for a friend.
Used SlateFX for mastering and it was amazing fast, easy and high quality sounding.

I tried them all.
Ozone, T-racks and so on...

SlateFX was best !!!

 

Ozone 5 is really good! maybe the best dynamics-plugins i've ever used.
or use a pluginchain on the masterchannel that works for you. for example EQ-COMP-LIMITER. (thats what ozone is)
there are many tutorials on this subject...

 

Ozone 4 and 5 are excellent! I also appreciate the Wave Arts Suites.
To add more loudness to your tracks i recommend you Sonnox Inflator.
Waves Masters is also good. Flux plug-ins and T-RackS Deluxe are fine!

 

Whatever happened to using dedicated environment for mastering?? Sticking a plugin on a channel does not = mastering, I don't care how great the plug is.However I do understand that for a hobbyist who can't afford outboard gear that Plugins do play a role.In which case I would suggest getting Wavelab and some decent plugs.Read Mastering Audio by Bob Katz then experiment as much as possible.Mastering is not based on genres, just some knowledge and your ears.Also,I would suggest you get a Frequency Conversion Chart.This is one not that bad Chart(make sure to move the mouse around the chart, just don't look at it) but there are better ones to be found.

 

true. but i just wanted to say that i dont like what the inflator does. it makes everything sound cheap. but thats my opinion.
not my cup of tea...

but in other words. use whatever hehe

 

what exactly does wavelabe do to the sound that any daw cannot? i would like to know why wavelab is better than logic, cubase or protools. does the sound signal travel in a different way? can you manipulate it better in wavelab?

of cours there is more to mastering than putting plugins. you have to know how to use them and you need a good room and monitors... but if you are a laptop musican ozone works fine. "Mastering" ;)

 

...so true...!!!

I would rather use Soundforge then Wavelab.

I master in StudioOne(works internally at 64bit) by the way, which is excellent for that and much better then Wavelab.
Actually, the way you master in StudioOne is like mastering in BIAS Peak Pro.
Watch some videos for mastering in StudioOne.
It has a own mastering section for that.
http://studioone.presonus.com/tutorials/mastering/

 

@Stensax The Wavelab suggestion was for the O.P and not my general recommendation, but if you notice he uses Cubase, Wavelab would add the extra mastering tools that Cubase is missing.That and a few of the plugs mentioned by others and he is good to go.I stuck to the subject matter.What did you do??


@ Carface Why switch up from what he already knows???He already has a mini studio set up.

I wonder if some of you even read his whole post??

 

...urp

 

you're right!

 

There you go...! You didn't read my response well. (what really can happen everyone)

I already suggested him SlateFX and a good mastering EQ before it for his Cubase-Mastering.
Later I added what I use for myself as response to your Wavelab suggestion!

The things that Cubase miss from Wavelab is mostly analyzing tools.
These can be replaced with any other quality analyzing tools.
Steinberg could add them into Cubase too and also a good EQ, but then who would need Wavelab anymore.
So it's better to keep these out and sell two products instead, making money twice.
StudioOne keeps everything in one Software and has an excellent EQ, which Cubase miss since 10years.
Watch the videos...

Ozone is good for mastering too, but I prefer SlateFX.

I suggest a little testing session with Ozone and SlateFX.
Then decide for yourself which one is better.
After that try these in Wavelab again and see if it better in Wavelab.

If you have something to fix in Wavelab to make a master, then better go and fix the mix.

 

Alright then! I got a lot to experiment!

Thanks for sharing your experience everyone!
I'll be posting some opinions of my own as I try the possibilities. (Just to make sure I get the right insights).

@Mykal Thanks for the Bob Katz and Chart tips! Just Awesome!

 

Or even let the "big boys" have a go at a song.

Compare it to your own "master" and see if you are any good at it. Cant hurt and you can even stick Mastered at Abbey Road Studios on the cover

Abbey Road

 

That's a fact... But I'm trying it at home to keep those £90 per song in my pocket! Plus knowing something about mastering doesn't hurt if i'm producing in my studio. haha!

Thanks for the reference anyway! Cool stuff! They had to come to this sooner or later...

 

since your using PC i think i just saw wave lab 7 for pc but if you cant find wave lab 7 i now for shore that there is a version of wave lab 6 floating around for pc but if you cant find that T-RACKS 3 WORKS GOOD TO

 

ozone is very good,but for finalizing i suggest ik multimedia t-racks

 

I didn't know Sonnox Inflator but it kicks ass !!

I tried Waves MaxxBass and other stuffs I can't remember the names but it always lacks of bass frequencies... (Maybe I don't use them well though) But Inflator is more than easy to use, and sounds perfect !

Slate Digital does very great products too, I own VCC, I use it every time I can, and FG-X cracked, but I'll buy it as soon as I can !