Wave Editor or Wave Burner or Peak for Mac Redbook

[KJandKT]

Any thoughts? What are the pros/cons of the different ones. Any preferences for a 2 track editor that does redbook on the mac?

Thanks in advance

God bless

[Jerry Tubb]

Originally Posted by KJandKT

Any thoughts? What are the pros/cons of the different ones. Any preferences for a 2 track editor that does redbook on the mac?

Thanks in advance

God bless

Don't forget these two:

Products :: PreMaster CD 3 Main

DSP-Quattro

Lots of discussions on the forums about this topic, use the search!

Good Luck - JT

[Thor]

Well, as soon as you included the word 'edit', WaveBurner Pro dropped right out of the list.

It won't edit, only assemble and deliver.

If you like Photoshopping audio, Wave Editor is great. Same basic paradigm, with layers. Some love it, some don't.

Peak is not well loved around here judging by many previous posts, but you can download a free demo and try it out yourself. It might be exactly what you're looking for.

As Jerry mentioned there are also DSP-Quattro (from the coders behind Spark XL) and Sonic Studio PMCD. If you need advanced/complex editing features, soundBlade is definitely something to check out.

So we all have our preferences, but what is it you prefer? What editor are you coming from (PC?)? What features do you need? Do you need more than 2 tracks of editing?

Cheers,
Thor

Originally Posted by KJandKT

Any thoughts? What are the pros/cons of the different ones. Any preferences for a 2 track editor that does redbook on the mac?

Thanks in advance

God bless

[Bookerv12]

Wave editor is cool, and a killer price...
But it is missing some very basic editing and song sequencing functions.
For instance, you can not simply add or subtract time from a track and have all the audio to the right adjust accordingly....You are forced to adjust each of the following tracks in time as well. In Toast or Jam, or most other software, if a time action is inserted to a audio track, all of the following tracks adjust accordingly.
This is the biggest killer in my setup.
I am sure they will fix this, they seem to be very accommodating.
Otherwise, it's a very powerful piece of software.

Worth checking out.

[KJandKT]

thank you, these are the sorts of things that I am trying to figure out...from the people that might use these plugs and are familiar with both strengths and weaknesses of them. Anybody else please feel free to chime in. I have many different posts on this type of subject, but not any that specifically might go over +/-'s of one to another.

BTw, Waveburner has my interest peaked simply because of the massive package that it is part of...soundtrack pro 2, 4 jam packs, full audio program...etc. But I definitely don't want to buy it just for that as my primary need is a good, easy-to-use and solid 2 track editor for mastering. I was thinking of getting that and then using Ozone 4 as a plugin for the mastering effects.

Thanks for all who respond!

[KyleDiSanto]

Wave Editor is Great, especially for the price. Quirky like Peak Pro.

Takes sometime to get used to it and its has its draw backs...but its cool!

[Thor]

If you're trying to learn more about the different programs and +/- sides, why not download demos and run through a test project or two to give you a feel for how they work and how they sound? That way you'll find the app that suits your sensibilities best, instead of just doing a survey of what everybody else likes.

Just a thought....

Thor

Originally Posted by KJandKT

thank you, these are the sorts of things that I am trying to figure out...from the people that might use these plugs and are familiar with both strengths and weaknesses of them. Anybody else please feel free to chime in. I have many different posts on this type of subject, but not any that specifically might go over +/-'s of one to another.

BTw, Waveburner has my interest peaked simply because of the massive package that it is part of...soundtrack pro 2, 4 jam packs, full audio program...etc. But I definitely don't want to buy it just for that as my primary need is a good, easy-to-use and solid 2 track editor for mastering. I was thinking of getting that and then using Ozone 4 as a plugin for the mastering effects.

Thanks for all who respond!

[Coyoteous]

BTW, I believe jasond1 works for BIAS, and is therefore "biased" about Peak.

(bad joke, I know)

Also, let's remember that:

"OS X WaveBurner is not bit accurate burning discs or bouncing from anything other than 16 bit source files, or if any processing is being done."

[silverking]

Manufacturers offering unbiased opinions on their own product is an oxymoron.

[Lagerfeldt]

Yes, nothing wrong in telling about your products but do make a signature so people can see what your affiliation is.

All posts by jasond1, all posts about BIAS products
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/searc...rchid=20328823

Originally Posted by Coyoteous

BTW, I believe jasond1 works for BIAS, and is therefore "biased" about Peak.

(bad joke, I know)

Haha, made me laugh at least.

[Jerry Tubb]

A feature comparison grid on all these apps would be nice.

Sonic Studio soundBlade - IMO the King Daddy of OSX DAW applications. Based on Sonic HD. Groovy Blue GUI, Excellent advanced editor with over 20 years development. Supports recording, burning, advanced editing, plug-ins, CD-Text, ISRC, DDP, Open Sessions for Enhanced CD, NoNoise II, outstanding waveforms graphics, multitrack option, I could go on...
The downside: steep learning curve, expensive, previous versions have been a little buggy.

Sonic Studio PMCD - basically the "LE" version of soundBlade. Here's a feature comparison of the two: Products :: PCM Product Matrix

Peak Pro 6 - made a giant leap forward with the new improved Playlist with the familiar checkerboard layout.. Very usable at this point. Supports CD-Text, ISRC, & DDP. MP3 creation Works with plug-ins. It records. Lots of editing and file manipulation features. Excellent SRC. Audio file analysis & repair. I've been using this one for 10-12 years since v.1.0 for misc audio tasks, but the new version makes it a real contender. No External Loop recording though.

WaveBurner - very easy to use for assembly and crossfades. familiar checkerboard layout. only very basic editing with trimming and slicing regions, a little dicey with plug-ins, supports CD-Text & ISRC & POWr dither, but no DDP. No recording. The big drawback is the infamous bit-bug, and you have to buy Logic to get it. Ugly green & grey GUI. I liked the sound of Wave Burner Pro for OS9 better.

Roxio Toast / Jam - old trusty app that works well for very basic assembly and burning. Support CD-Text, ISRC, basic crossfades. Toast has grown far beyond a simple audio burner. I use it mainly for audio data backups, and burning enhanced CDs. ime an indispensable utility tool for any OS X DAW user.

Wave Editor - the Layered approach from Audiofile Engineering. I haven't spent enough time with it to have a valid opinion, but I know there are many dedicated users. It burns, record, edits, supports CD-Text, ISRC, and DDP. The price is ridiculously affordable. Matthew Foust continues the development of WE and many other excellent audio apps.

DSP Quattro - from the developers of Spark XL which was an excellent app in it's day (and replacement for SDII)... has been around for a few years, but the new version 3.0 promises to be a real valid choice. Reminds me of WaveBurner in it's ease of use, has good editing features, supports plug-ins. records(?) Not sure if it supports CD-Text or ISRC yet. No DDP.

JT

[sonicdefault]

I use WE and Peak Pro 6. Both will get the job done, but they are totally different. I applaud the AE guys for being ambitious, listening to users and for keeping cost low. I think Bias has done an admirable job improving the program, but it's overpriced IMO and still needs some refinement (at a faster pace too).

In general, Peak's interface is much more professional feeling and nice looking. But the plug-in interface is somewhat awkward and makes me feel insecure at times. It also needs some work with it's method of saving projects and plug-in settings. I love the tool bar, and the ability to customize it's look. Also worthy of mention is some of its included DSP functions are very good, as is its SRC. I still think the Bias guys can take Peak from very good to outstanding.

WE is best appreciated when you understand it's utilitarian approach. You get the impression that it's very streamlined and stable. But it is somewhat odd in it's menu structure of available functions (including the drop down menus). I like the idea of layers, and IMO this approach is actually a superior way to work when you understand it's premise. Fo example, being able to apply plugs independently per layer is much more clear when working with multiple tracks which require different processors. If the AE guys would give WE a facelift, simplify the menus and finish the client side DDP interface (all while keeping cost low)... it will be without peer IMO.


-SD

[Table Of Tone]

Sonic Studio PMCD or soundBlade.
These both use the sonic audio engine which is reportedly the best sounding audio engine for OSX.

[AUDIOBOMBER]

did i already mention that i want my spark xl back ?

[AUDIOBOMBER]

heeelllooo - tc.electronics - anybody out there??????????

[Thor]

Spark XL is EOL'd by T.C.

But you can still get it from the people who programmed it, just under another name.

DSP-Quattro.

Thor

Originally Posted by AUDIOBOMBER

heeelllooo - tc.electronics - anybody out there??????????

[KJandKT]

Thor,

In answer to your questions yesterday...I have no 2 track editor. My last album I mastered in a primarily analog studio using a studer 2 track, Manley Massive Passive, SSL bus compressor, L2 Hardware limiter and Apogee converters to Masterlink....so I am at a loss. I do not have access to that equipment anymore so...currently I am just using Itunes to burn disk, which I know is not the best.

I use a Protools LE setup (002 Rack). Like I said I have the TL Audio EQ-2 which is nice for a smooth analog sound, drawmer compressor and I also have an A-designs MP2 (original version).

As far as a pre-mastering program, I want something that will be easy to assemble an album (cross-fades, track order, spacing, etc.) and allow me to use something like Ozone 4 for eq,multi-band compressor,spacial effects, dither...etc for the leveling of things. From there, I want it to be able to burn a master CD (I assume Redbook is the best if I am not sending it off) and then be able to reliably duplicate it myself without errors. I don't think that I need a $1500 2 track editor like Sonic, but do want a chain that will be reliable, easy to use and fairly good in sound quality and free from errors.

- I could also use Ozone 4 in a Protools session and then go out to my TL EQ2 and Drawmer 241 and buy a Masterlink to make the Redbook master. I have heard that assembling in the Masterlink is difficult though. Maybe it is better with version 2 software?

- Peak also has their mastering suite, but I don't know if the plugins sound that much better than Ozone 4 for the price difference? I also really like the Flux EQ.

Completely starting from scratch here with the mastering end of things because of not having access to chain that I used before. I don't want to have to send things out to an engineer. I appreciate all of the input on this.

God bless!

[Thor]

So,

are you putting together a mastering room? Or do you just want some tools for the occasional 'quick fix' when there's no budget for mastering?

Why is it you don't want to have to send things out to an engineer?

Back to your original inquiry, you want something that's easy to use and will work with plugins (Ozone). That rules out PMCD, and you ruled out soundBlade due to price. What is your budget? "Which app is easiest" (WaveBurner Pro, Peak, WaveEditor, DSP-Quattro remain) is kind of up to you, really. How do you work? What paradigm do you prefer? What details are important for your workflow? Etc.

F.x. I found WBP to be stupidly simple and effective for assembly duties, but it won't edit. So you have to have another program if you want to edit anything. DSP-Quattro will edit until next year, but I didn't much care for the assembly part of it. Etc. YMMV.

That's why I suggested you try them out yourself and see which on you like. We've already established which one's fill your needs (editing, assembly, delivery, plugins), and you haven't mentioned your budget. WaveEditor is a no brainer for the price, just to have Izotope resampling available.

Personally I wouldn't buy Peak for the included plugins, but many people like it. I've tried it (twice) and didn't like it either time. Maybe it's just me

IMHO, if you want a true mastering app that is geared to all the little details we have to pay attention to and you want to use a Mac with OS X, soundBlade is pretty much it. On a PC there's a lot more to choose from. WaveLab, Sequoia, SADiE, AudioCube, etc.

Just my 2 cents.

You get what you pay for....

Thor

Originally Posted by KJandKT

Thor,

In answer to your questions yesterday...I have no 2 track editor. My last album I mastered in a primarily analog studio using a studer 2 track, Manley Massive Passive, SSL bus compressor, L2 Hardware limiter and Apogee converters to Masterlink....so I am at a loss. I do not have access to that equipment anymore so...currently I am just using Itunes to burn disk, which I know is not the best.

I use a Protools LE setup (002 Rack). Like I said I have the TL Audio EQ-2 which is nice for a smooth analog sound, drawmer compressor and I also have an A-designs MP2 (original version).

As far as a pre-mastering program, I want something that will be easy to assemble an album (cross-fades, track order, spacing, etc.) and allow me to use something like Ozone 4 for eq,multi-band compressor,spacial effects, dither...etc for the leveling of things. From there, I want it to be able to burn a master CD (I assume Redbook is the best if I am not sending it off) and then be able to reliably duplicate it myself without errors. I don't think that I need a $1500 2 track editor like Sonic, but do want a chain that will be reliable, easy to use and fairly good in sound quality and free from errors.

- I could also use Ozone 4 in a Protools session and then go out to my TL EQ2 and Drawmer 241 and buy a Masterlink to make the Redbook master. I have heard that assembling in the Masterlink is difficult though. Maybe it is better with version 2 software?

- Peak also has their mastering suite, but I don't know if the plugins sound that much better than Ozone 4 for the price difference? I also really like the Flux EQ.

Completely starting from scratch here with the mastering end of things because of not having access to chain that I used before. I don't want to have to send things out to an engineer. I appreciate all of the input on this.

God bless!

[Matthew Foust]

Originally Posted by Jerry Tubb

Wave Editor - the Layered approach from Audiofile Engineering. I haven't spent enough time with it to have a valid opinion, but I know there are many dedicated users. It burns, record, edits, supports CD-Text, ISRC, and DDP. The price is ridiculously affordable. Matthew Foust continues the development of WE and many other excellent audio apps.

Actually, Ev bends the majority of the code. I just sit there and look pretty.

[KJandKT]

Thanks for the detailed help Thor.

Budget...as little as possible for now. I'm a school teacher and my wife stays home with our daughter, so money's a little tight right now. I do Christian music for myself and others. I just want something to master my own albums and also to help with music ministry/church for those that might might not be able to afford a mastering engineer at this point like myself...to get basic levels the same and fairly hot and to be able to assemble the album.

I suppose any actual editing I can do in Protools. I said editing in my original post without really knowing what that entails in a 2 track editor.

I compose and record all of my own music. I'm fairly proficient at mixing and arranging and did a fairly good job mastering (I realize not pro level by any means...but acceptable) my first album at an analog studio.

When I am in a better position, I might like to send stuff to a mastering engineer. Right now something like Ozone 4 (academic price $125 and Wave Editor $80) looks like a great inexpensive way to start. Do you think Wave editor would fit the bill (easy to use and assemble tracks properly and be able to use Ozone 4 within the program well?)

I am looking at this for right now so that I can do multiple projects/albums for an inexpensive amount. I always have the option to later on when finances improve send the same material to a mastering engineer. I absolutely realize they will do a better job than I can do myself.

Thanks and God bless,

John

[Thor]

Hi John,

no problem, it's all part of the GS experience

So you don't really need editing, but you need assembly. Are you sure you need to apply plugins in the mastering app? If you could use Ozone in PT or another app you already own, that would remove that requirement as well. Ozone seems to be available in several formats, AU, RTAS, VST, etc.

Again, why not just download demos (all free) and see what you like best, and fits your budget?

If I were to decide for you, I'd say get PMCD, and use Ozone somewhere else (like in PT). But that's the right answer for me, it might not be for you.

WE is very cheap ($79), but I (personally) find it inappropriate for audio mastering & assembly. The guys behind it are nice though, and I think the paradigm is really great for things like sound design, just not for mastering. Maybe you'll love it (as many others do). At the price it's good to have just to have, you never know when you might be able to use it for something.

DSP-Quattro is a step up price wise ($199), but has a nice dual track playlist (like WBP) that makes assembly pretty simple.

WaveBurner Pro is bundled with Logic, but last I heard Apple is pretty much giving it away. $499 for Logic Studio 8.

PMCD is $595 on sale now, including DDP open. It delivers to DDP by default.

Peak runs about $599 including DDP delivery.

How much were you planning on spending?

Well, there you have prices, you know the features, I don't really know what else to say. You really need to try them for yourself and see what you like and what suits your sensibilities and needs (and wallet).


Best of luck, let us know what you end up getting.

Cheers,
Thor

Originally Posted by KJandKT

Thanks for the detailed help Thor.

Budget...as little as possible for now. I'm a school teacher and my wife stays home with our daughter, so money's a little tight right now. I do Christian music for myself and others. I just want something to master my own albums and also to help with music ministry/church for those that might might not be able to afford a mastering engineer at this point like myself...to get basic levels the same and fairly hot and to be able to assemble the album.

I suppose any actual editing I can do in Protools. I said editing in my original post without really knowing what that entails in a 2 track editor.

I compose and record all of my own music. I'm fairly proficient at mixing and arranging and did a fairly good job mastering (I realize not pro level by any means...but acceptable) my first album at an analog studio.

When I am in a better position, I might like to send stuff to a mastering engineer. Right now something like Ozone 4 (academic price $125 and Wave Editor $80) looks like a great inexpensive way to start. Do you think Wave editor would fit the bill (easy to use and assemble tracks properly and be able to use Ozone 4 within the program well?)

I am looking at this for right now so that I can do multiple projects/albums for an inexpensive amount. I always have the option to later on when finances improve send the same material to a mastering engineer. I absolutely realize they will do a better job than I can do myself.

Thanks and God bless,

John

[jasond1]

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

Yes, nothing wrong in telling about your products but do make a signature so people can see what your affiliation is.

All posts by jasond1, all posts about BIAS products
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/searc...rchid=20328823


Haha, made me laugh at least.

Sorry guys. I wasn't trying to hide my affiliation – in fact I started with "jasond1" posting PRs to the news section and figured it was clear I was from BIAS. My mistake, I clearly should have used a company signature which I am now doing. I will do my best to be as objective as possible and am happy to help anyone who may have questions regarding our products. Again, my sincere apologies.

Thanks!

Jason