+++ Powercore Master X5 For mastering Dance music

[deft_bonz]

I did that years ago, on my Protools. But I never liked the end results. It always sounded very harsh to me and I never achieved the average loudness, that is very important in this genre.

But... you might consider me as a non-pro-mastering-engineer
Nevertheless, Ozone gives me a much better sound and is easier to use

[deltaforce]

thanks for reply , more replys ?

[javahut]

Yeah, X5, to me, is a harsh for the master bus. Works great on individual tracks if you need multi-band, though. If you have Powercore already, and you wanna do some of your own mastering, I'd spring for MD3. Clean sound (if not over used). Very easy to get stuff loud if the spectral balance is right in the mix... slam the Brickwall Limiter... or rather, use the Brickwall Limiter to slam the mix. And if the spectral balance is off a bit, use MD3's EQ to get it in line. A little (alot?) expensive but way better than X5.

[polybonk]

Cant stand it. Same problem here for me. Harsh is a good way of describing it. However It probably depends on the style of dance music. Could be good for something. MD3 is great. Same with Character and dynamic EQ. And the brick wall is the best. No loss of 3D in the depth of field.

[dietrich10]

You can often tell when something was slammed through the X5. Which to my ears is never pleasing

[superjc]

My card has the X3, yes harsh is the word. The limiter is terrible.... odd because I love the reverbs on my powercore, maybe there is a genre where this plugin is better suited.

[Kayo]

Originally Posted by deltaforce

hi,is a good solution for mastering DANCE MUSIC the plugin MASTER X5 for POWERCORE ?

The above consensus, regarding the MasterX5’s reputation is kindda true.

But, if you do venture outside the given presets of the X5, like I did, you’d find it’s a useable tool and suprisingly useful. It now dances according to instructions, and has been used on several stuff by me. I do agree, as mentioned earlier.. it’s presets of the bat, do highlight a harshness etc.. But, when tweaked step by step, it works great! Yeah sure, the MD3 is a fantastic plug. Period.. I’ve had one since its conception or porting to the Powercore, and you’d find many a post on GS, of me praising it, to no end…

Only to be fair to the MasterX5 … it is a useable tool, maybe not off the bat. Not only, would it be good enough for dance music, but for anything, if caressed into the form required for the master. Sure, it ain’t no holy grail! But, useable for sure..


Bye mate..

Ciao,
KAyo

[DJRossfader]

The presets are horrid but who seriously uses presets for mastering anyway?

I have X3 and its pretty good in moderation

It has an exciter type algorithm i think.. I find it best set to flat, perhaps this is the source of harshness you guys are hearing

Old GUI i know but see it there on the right, bellow dither.

Try setting it to flat and see how you like it?

[Kayo]

Here is the new GUI. Looks heaps better.. doesn't it? All the TC plugs have been updated somewhat, in sound quality too, I thought! A bit of a face lift..

I am very fond of that dither tool on the MasterX5. Great shapes and avoid the presets as mentioned. Start from zero, and see how you go.

Cheers,
KAyo

[deft_bonz]

Originally Posted by DJRossfader

It has an exciter type algorithm i think.. I find it best set to flat, perhaps this is the source of harshness you guys are hearing

No, I really tried everything, but it still sounded harsh as soon as I tried to get some loudness out of it. Of course there is always the possibility that I don't know it better ... as a humble amateur ME

[DJRossfader]

How hard were you pushing it?
I dont think you can get away with as much gain reduction on that one

I use it for the multiband but turn off the limiter

[deft_bonz]

I don't remember how hard I pushed it, but I never got the needed loudness. Not even if I pushed it to hell and back, needless to say it sounded like

I switched to L2 and got much better results, loudness- and soundwise, with much less effort.

Now I use Ozone 4 *loveitmucho*

[Kayo]

If volume or level is the only reason you’re using the MasterX5, then maybe the L2 is preferablle. Use the MasterX5, for the given below..

[This plug-in provides even more detailed access during the mastering process for CD and broadcast. It is optimized for 44.1 and 48 kHz processing and is also an ideal tool for optimizing material like commercials for broadcast applications; the 5 bands allow to get even more "level" out of the program material].

Cheers,
KAyo

[deft_bonz]

But that was exactly the reason...

"...during the mastering process for CD... the 5 bands allow to get even more "level" out of the program material."

Yeah, L2 is way better, and I think Ozone 4 is way better than L2

I think I can even get better results with Logics Adaptive Limiter and Linear EQ than with the X5

[Slogun]

I thought X5 sounded good untill I bought MD3.

My clients also noticed the better resluts achieved by the MD3, but then again, they didn't complain when I used the X5 either. So I'd say that you actually can get good results from the X5, but be carefull, it can sound harsch and gritty!

[ssl_ambition]

Originally Posted by Slogun

I thought X5 sounded good untill I bought MD3.

The MD3 is way better! You can hear the difference even on small multimedia speakers. To me they're not in the same league.

[Slogun]

Originally Posted by ssl_ambition

The MD3 is way better! You can hear the difference even on small multimedia speakers. To me they're not in the same league.

I agree with you, they're not comparable! All I'm saying is, back then when I had to suffice with X5 my customers were happy. When I bought MD3, they became happier

[Alécio Costa]

Master X 3+5 is pretty old technology. Circa 1999-2000?

MD3 Suite is much better, cleaner.

Even better is the MD4 Combo with the System 6000.

[Alécio Costa]

Lots of guys requested TC that they ported Master X 5 for HD/HD Accell but that never happened. No chip power for 88.2k....stuff like this..

However, they released MD3 a few years later.

Frankly, I do not miss Master X 5 at all. And the upgrade path from Master X 5 to MD3 was a surprise and greatly wellcomed.


Depending upon your license and Master X version , You would pay up to 50% only. Interesting because I emailed them and months later this promotion popped up.

Seems they do care for their clients and take feedback seriously.

[Slogun]

Originally Posted by Alécio Costa

Frankly, I do not miss Master X 5 at all. And the upgrade path from Master X 5 to MD3 was a surprise and greatly wellcomed.


Depending upon your license and Master X version , You would pay up to 50% only. Interesting because I emailed them and months later this promotion popped up.

They had an upgrade path? *doh* ;-)

[Alécio Costa]

Did you miss it?
What a pity...
:(

[Slogun]

I will be damn sure not to miss it if they ever port MD4

[polybonk]

I second that one