What's a good program for A/B'ing mixes and doing some mastering...

[Matt Grondin]

although I don't plan to do any mastering for real, just practice. When I was in a local studio here in town, they had a program that allowed them to A/B mixes instantly without having to start and stop the playback like in PT's... also, they could just open files and play them instead of having to import them into a PT's session, but I forgot to ask what it was called. There used to be a program called Waveburner that I used, but it's not around anymore... what's a good program for doing this sort of thing? Thanks.

[Jay Kahrs]

I've always A/B'd mixes by flipping between the output of the console & a CD player (or DAW) that's feeding a 2-track return. Are you sure they didn't have two different programs running & the two-input thing going on

If you're on a PC I'll highly recommend Sound Forge & CD Architect for this kinda stuff, I've got no idea what's good or bad on the MacIncrash side.

[Matt Grondin]

I've got a PC, but it's all the way upstairs, and it's setup up for home computing shit, not audio. I'd prefer to stick to the ole' Macadelic.

[crna59]

The only 2 Mac programs for Mastering that I can think of are:

Sonic Studio

Bias Peak

Regards,

[ShamansDream]

If you already have a DAW, I'd recommend Izotope Ozone 3. Easy to A/B single plugs or the overall program or even specific bands. The price is right at $199-. It's got all the tools you need for mastering on a budget.

Not sure if that's what your looking for though.

Izotope also has this: Ozone Media Player

[Matt Grondin]

Actually, that Bias Peak looks like it could be pretty cool. I might have to get that. Thanks!

[Matt Grondin]

I downloaded Bias Peak and it seems pretty cool so far... I need to spend more time with it and figure out how to get it running out of my PT interfaces... hopefully they'll have some answers for me when they reopen on Monday. Does anyone know what program this is on the right computer monitor in the pic? It's a photo from a local studio and I really dug this program when I saw them operating it, but I forgot to ask what it was called. I should just call and ask them, but I figured I'd get some input from some slutz as well. Anyone know it just by looking? Thanks.

[Matt Grondin]

After looking around, it appears to be Wavelab. It seems like a really great program with lots of followers, but I really don't have room for two computers. I have an extra PC I could use, but I'd have to find room for a monitor, etc. Ughhh, why can't they make it for Mac!

How would I incorporate Wavelab and the PC with my Apogee Rosetta and/or Digi 888 24 I/O's? I'm not sure how this works since you have to have the cards to run PT's... how does it work with other programs?

[Lagerfeldt]

WaveBurner is certainly around still, alive and kicking. Working very well.

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

I've always A/B'd mixes by flipping between the output of the console & a CD player (or DAW) that's feeding a 2-track return. Are you sure they didn't have two different programs running & the two-input thing going on

If you're on a PC I'll highly recommend Sound Forge & CD Architect for this kinda stuff, I've got no idea what's good or bad on the MacIncrash side.

Most mastering engineers use a dedicated console which is EXTERNAL to the DAW designed to monitor different sources coming in at different levels as transparently as possible. The object is to switch and match levels without going through hell.

Here are some suggestions:

Crookwood makes such a console

Grace M906

Avocet by Cranesong (my favorite)

TC Electronic--you can program the 5.1 monitor matrix to switch between two different stereo sources at different monitor gains

Even Tascam makes a digital monitoring controller

I think Focusrite also makes a monitor controller with variable analog input gains on each input.


However, it is possible to design your DAW so that the two sources are routed through it and through two faders working at different gains.


At this point I prefer the analog monitoring approach because the digital monitoring approach is fraught with potential technical pitfalls, including that it can only monitor digital sources at the same sample rate as your session, that digital attenuation has to be dithered and even then philosophically you may feel it does not match the source, and so on.

[Bob Olhsson]

Pro Tools is actually pretty easy to use for that using playlists or clicking at different points on the time line. You can listen to files in the workspace.

[Matt Grondin]

Bob (Katz), I already have an Avocet and I've got a PC just sitting around that I could run Wavelab on... how exactly would I get the PC into the Avocet, or into my PT's interfaces? Is there an extra card I would need to buy that would allow me to do this, and what's the best one? Thanks.

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by dobby12

Bob (Katz), I already have an Avocet and I've got a PC just sitting around that I could run Wavelab on... how exactly would I get the PC into the Avocet, or into my PT's interfaces? Is there an extra card I would need to buy that would allow me to do this, and what's the best one? Thanks.

Hi, Dobby. Any decent card with a digital output and you're in business. The Avocet has one SPDIF input and two AES inputs and three (stereo) analog inputs. You can use a Canare transformer if you get a card with SPDIF outputs and it will probably work.

RME and Lynx would be the preferred brands of cards but an economical card with simply an SPDIF output would work if it has data integrity. But honestly, I think only $500 separates the least expensive "simple" sound card from the most expensive, as long as you don't count MADI cards.

BK

[Matt Grondin]

Thank you. Your time and knowlege is appreciated. Later.

p.s. I enjoyed your book, although some of it went over my head it. I think it's probably time to read it again.

[Matt Grondin]

p.s. What's a Canare transformer and what does it do? Sorry for the newbie questions... I'm a musician

[void]

Originally Posted by bob katz

Hi, Dobby. Any decent card with a digital output and you're in business. The Avocet has one SPDIF input and two AES inputs and three (stereo) analog inputs. You can use a Canare transformer if you get a card with SPDIF outputs and it will probably work.

RME and Lynx would be the preferred brands of cards but an economical card with simply an SPDIF output would work if it has data integrity. But honestly, I think only $500 separates the least expensive "simple" sound card from the most expensive, as long as you don't count MADI cards.

BK

Hi Bob,

Great to have you here! Just wondering...

What is it that you think makes RME/Lynx the preferred brands? Just a curious Lynx user. Thanks.