Basic Mastering and CD Authoring Program?

[SDB_12]

Hi,

I'm looking for suggestions on a program to do basic masters for clients, that is capable of delivering a Red Book Master with all the proper formats, codes, etc. I run a studio out of my home, and continue to get clients that won't go elsewhere for mastering as I do a lot of singer/songwriter productions for showcase, small local band projects, etc.

I use Pro Tools for tracking and Mixing, and usually just master in PT then bounce wave files for them. However, I know this is not the right format for a real master CD. I'm not asking for mastering tips, I just need something that is capable of delivering a real mastered/authored CD to my clients who don't plan to go to a mastering house.

So basically, I need a program, preferably around $300-400 or so, that will allow to me deliver Red Book masters for the clients that need a mastered file for their myspace account and to send to DiscMakers... I'm on a MAC.

I've actually thought of getting that Slate Digital FG-X mastering plug, and just continue to produce my masters in Pro Tools. Then, get a cheaper $100 program or something that will create the Red Book CD's I need. Whatcha think of that? Or would I just be better with something like Sound Forge?

[BasementRecords]

Originally Posted by SDB_12

Hi,

I'm looking for suggestions on a program to do basic masters for clients, that is capable of delivering a Red Book Master with all the proper formats, codes, etc. I run a studio out of my home, and continue to get clients that won't go elsewhere for mastering as I do a lot of singer/songwriter productions for showcase, small local band projects, etc.

I use Pro Tools for tracking and Mixing, and usually just master in PT then bounce wave files for them. However, I know this is not the right format for a real master CD. I'm not asking for mastering tips, I just need something that is capable of delivering a real mastered/authored CD to my clients who don't plan to go to a mastering house.

So basically, I need a program, preferably around $300-400 or so, that will allow to me deliver Red Book masters for the clients that need a mastered file for their myspace account and to send to DiscMakers... I'm on a MAC.

I've actually thought of getting that Slate Digital FG-X mastering plug, and just continue to produce my masters in Pro Tools. Then, get a cheaper $100 program or something that will create the Red Book CD's I need. Whatcha think of that? Or would I just be better with something like Sound Forge?

I would just go with the plugin scenario, if pro tools feels good to you than great. I know a lot of gold platinum record producers and engineers who master using plugins in pro tools.

They have engineered albums from bands such as chicago, beyonce, mudvayne, Janet Jackson, etc. and they do amazing work. They have a lot of great mastering plugins, lots of compressors and EQ's and Limiters that work great for mastering.

Usually companies such as Waves, and MCDSP have very good quality in there plugins.

I love the way plugins like that sound.

I hope this is helpful let me know.

And take a look at my site for more info in the future.

Chris Neal

[SDB_12]

Originally Posted by BasementRecords

I would just go with the plugin scenario, if pro tools feels good to you than great. I know a lot of gold platinum record producers and engineers who master using plugins in pro tools.

They have engineered albums from bands such as chicago, beyonce, mudvayne, Janet Jackson, etc. and they do amazing work. They have a lot of great mastering plugins, lots of compressors and EQ's and Limiters that work great for mastering.

Usually companies such as Waves, and MCDSP have very good quality in there plugins.

I love the way plugins like that sound.

I hope this is helpful let me know.

And take a look at my site for more info in the future.

Chris Neal

Thanks! Yeah, I do not mind mastering in Pro Tools at all. But I need something that will take my masters from Pro Tools and create a Red Book CD...any suggestions on a decent program for this that is pretty cheap to pick up?

[Trakworx]

Originally Posted by SDB_12

Hi,

I'm looking for suggestions on a program to do basic masters for clients, that is capable of delivering a Red Book Master with all the proper formats, codes, etc. I run a studio out of my home, and continue to get clients that won't go elsewhere for mastering as I do a lot of singer/songwriter productions for showcase, small local band projects, etc.

I use Pro Tools for tracking and Mixing, and usually just master in PT then bounce wave files for them. However, I know this is not the right format for a real master CD. I'm not asking for mastering tips, I just need something that is capable of delivering a real mastered/authored CD to my clients who don't plan to go to a mastering house.

So basically, I need a program, preferably around $300-400 or so, that will allow to me deliver Red Book masters for the clients that need a mastered file for their myspace account and to send to DiscMakers... I'm on a MAC.

I've actually thought of getting that Slate Digital FG-X mastering plug, and just continue to produce my masters in Pro Tools. Then, get a cheaper $100 program or something that will create the Red Book CD's I need. Whatcha think of that? Or would I just be better with something like Sound Forge?

Wave Editor or Wave Burner or Peak for Mac Redbook

Reccomended Program for burning redbook cd (mac)

Search function thumbsup

.

[SDB_12]

Originally Posted by Trakworx

Wave Editor or Wave Burner or Peak for Mac Redbook

Reccomended Program for burning redbook cd (mac)

Search function thumbsup

.

Thanks for the links. I've decided that Wave Editor will be best for me. It's only $79 and will do what I need, allowing me to just continue mastering in Pro Tools. But, it doesn't say anything about accepting .wavs as an import option...wondering if that will be a problem.

BTW Trakworx....I checked out your site. I'd like to track down (no pun) some samples of your mastering. At $30/song I may be able to convince some of my clients to allow me to send work off to you. Your studio is very impressive.

[Trakworx]

Originally Posted by SDB_12

Thanks for the links. I've decided that Wave Editor will be best for me. It's only $79 and will do what I need, allowing me to just continue mastering in Pro Tools. But, it doesn't say anything about accepting .wavs as an import option...wondering if that will be a problem.

BTW Trakworx....I checked out your site. I'd like to track down (no pun) some samples of your mastering. At $30/song I may be able to convince some of my clients to allow me to send work off to you. Your studio is very impressive.

I would be surprised if something named "Wave Editor" didn't accept Wave files!

Thanks for the kind words!

You can send me a private message with your email address and we can talk about getting some examples of my work to you, or even doing a free sample on one of your mixes. It's good to have an option for your clients who would prefer mastering with analog outboard gear and possibly 1/2" tape layback.

Let me know how Wave Editor works out for you.

.

[Adebar]

PreMaster CD will give you exactly what you need.

[JB3]

Wave Editor accepts files in many formats and bit depths, converts them to proprietary 32 bit float files if you choose or can set up a mastering document in the original format. You can then arrange your tracks and process individual files or all files with any AU or VST format plug-in (Waves, Sonnox, etc.) to Red Book or DDP output. It's really pretty slick for a (currently) $79 program.

There are some aspects that remind me of Logic in that manipulating audio in Wave Editor can be a little daunting at first until you get used to the fact that a lot of what you need to do is by keyboard shortcuts, which are readily accessible from a menu.

An overview of Mastering to Red Book and DDP can be found on their Vimeo videos site: Introduction to Mastering with Wave Editor on Vimeo. Other topics are available there and on Razormaid, and even cooler, the Vimeo videos are accessible through the Support function from within the Wave Editor program.

As a plus, they have licensed the Izotope 64 technology for really amazing conversion technology (see SRC Comparisons) and Mbit+ dither.

Hate to sound like a commercial, but I have just been using their trial versions (15 day full function) and have been quite impressed.

And no, I do not work for AudioFile.

Til Wavelab comes to the Mac (and costs a lot less) Wave Editor is definitely worth looking at.

As always, YMMV.

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Wavelab 7 is ported to the Mac but it maybe more expensive than you wanted.