What other mastering tools do this?

[Unsigned Studios]

I've been using Ozone 4 for about 3 days now and I'm blown away by some very simple features.

M/S EQ, exciter & reverb.

To be honest that's all I'm using the plugin for and I'm wondering what alternatives there are, not because I particularly want them but just to see what's available in the world of M/S mastering.

At the moment I use Altiverb for a touch of mastering EQ, a small plate from a Lexicon 450 it that's the right model number. But the M/S feature is so powerful i might end up using ozone's reverb, which setting wise seems a little basic. Are mastering reverbs basic?

Last but not least a mastering feature I'd like to get into: making the low end of the mix more monophonic. Using the M/S EQ in Ozone should that do it? Or is this technique normally done by pulling a stereo spreader inwards with a side chain EQ. Would the Ozone M/S EQ simply make the track a little bass light and if so is there software our there or hardware that would do such techniques.


Bob Katz you out there lol...


thanks for any replies

Shane

[tribeofenki]

Brainworx, Voxengo and other software are available.

[wado1942]

Lots of people make and sell M-S matrices, you just have to plug one into the chain before using any quality verb/EQ/compressor and put in an L-R matrix afterwords.

[Loopy C]

Up till OZ4 i was inserting this into various chains (for example Altiverb/RND Detailer/PSP Xenon) for similar 'effect':

mathewlane.com - DrMS spatial processor plugin

A great tool to have for many purposes.

[fader8]

Originally Posted by Unsigned Studios

At the moment I use Altiverb for a touch of mastering EQ, a small plate from a Lexicon 450 it that's the right model number. But the M/S feature is so powerful i might end up using ozone's reverb, which setting wise seems a little basic. Are mastering reverbs basic?

While tools like DrMS can be fun, take the time to learn how to make an MS encode and decode matrix in your DAW's mixer. The amount of control you'll have is better, and, you can use whatever plug-in you like, or hardware for that matter. Search here for various threads on the subject.

Last but not least a mastering feature I'd like to get into: making the low end of the mix more monophonic.

If you MS just the bass frequencies, you can simply reduce the side signal. I've done this with the RNDigital Splizer plug with really good results. Sometimes just using the result in a parallel compression path.

[Unsigned Studios]

thanks for the replies, i'm going to look into the companies you've mentioned.

I see brainworx do a free M/S matrix called the bx solo so that's a great start

one question though, if you decode to M/S add what ever effect or processor you want and then encode it back to stereo wouldn't the effect smear the signal, maybe phase or the boundaries between mono and stereo that make M/S in the first place ?

Hopefully that doesn't sound like a really stupid question, i can see people saying 'well that's the point you idiot'

[fader8]

Originally Posted by Unsigned Studios

one question though, if you decode to M/S add what ever effect or processor you want and then encode it back to stereo wouldn't the effect smear the signal, maybe phase or the boundaries between mono and stereo that make M/S in the first place ?

Only if you use processes that create those things. Yes, sometimes you'd do that deliberately. Sometimes not. The reason I suggested you create the matrix in your mixer is because it will give you a much better understanding and feel for how this works. You can follow your own path, but I always make my students do this and while they'll be stubborn about it, they're always thankful I made them do it in the end!

[kjg]

+1
Make the matrix and experiment.
Voxengo MSED is excellent, and free.

[Unsigned Studios]

Ok I'll give it a go, just downloaded the voxengo MSED so I'll play around.

Thanks for the help

Shane