REAPER users - what is the best built in plug-in for transparent mastering loudness

[Jake Holland]

In Reaper

what is the best included plug-in for making a mix louder with total transparency?

Or is the third party Waves L2 better?


I was using Samplitude for mastering with the built in Advanced dynamics in "Limiter" mode.

My mix was bad sounding with it. Loss of transients and definition, top end and the stereo image gets really squished.

Is there a Plug-in in Reaper that I can use as the last part of my mastering process to make the mix louder without getting so many bad side effects? I just want to transparently make my mix louder?

What so you guys use and what do mastering guys use these days ITB?

Thanks!

[mahasandi]

i guess you have to wonder what it is you want to accomplish?
is it to make the final cd playback "louder"?

this is an art(or not) , which is why mastering engineers exist, well to balance levels and eq for all playback systems .....hopefully.

the best limiter for transparency is to go to each peak at the sample level and lower the very highest short transient by a db.(a Bob Katz trick)

this can raise the final level without any noticable coloration.

as far as reaper goes i believe if you go to the cockos forum check out:
LOUDNESS wars... - Cockos Confederated Forums

remember what in your mind may seem like what a software limiter is doing to a final mix may in fact be many discrete processes that combine to make the whole.

also since what is louder by comparison fools the ear into thinking that sounds better, when in fact it is simply louder, can confuse the issue , really.


this thread is also a good reference about distortion with limiters and sine waves:

Need Help (Limiter Sweeps) - Cockos Confederated Forums

it basically has a sine sweep of every major limiter to see what the distortion is like.
but in the end it s your ears that tell you , yes this is what i was going after,
but how easily fooled we are.....

[Jake Holland]

That is great info there!

What I want to know is if Reaper has a built in Plug-in equivalent of the Waves L2 that will limit yes but also make my mixes louder to Radio standard levels.

Thank! You!

[Jake Holland]

Does Reaper have a built in Plug-in equivalent of the Waves L2?

Does it sound as good?

[jono]

take a look at voxengo's mastering stuff

[Charlie_M]

I've used this before on mixes and on drum bus with great satisfaction:

Event Horizon | Stillwell Audio - It's About The Sound

there are two types: 1.event horizon and 2.event horizon+

I dug them both but prefer the + version somewhat... personal preference I guess.

You can demo them (unrestrained) for free... once you decide you love it you can buy it from the site very reasonably.

edit: I see you are looking for something transparent... I dunno if I would call this guy transparent, depends how you set it up... and I normally am not looking for that... do check it out though.

Charlie

[hackenslash]

Originally Posted by mahasandi

Something or other...

Just spotted your Av. The Lodge, no?

[siriusbliss]

Originally Posted by Jake Holland

In Reaper

what is the best included plug-in for making a mix louder with total transparency?

Or is the third party Waves L2 better?


I was using Samplitude for mastering with the built in Advanced dynamics in "Limiter" mode.

My mix was bad sounding with it. Loss of transients and definition, top end and the stereo image gets really squished.

Is there a Plug-in in Reaper that I can use as the last part of my mastering process to make the mix louder without getting so many bad side effects? I just want to transparently make my mix louder?

What so you guys use and what do mastering guys use these days ITB?

Thanks!

But you didn't try Ammunition?
It fargin' rocks for this 'loudness' mix function!

<hijack over>

Greg

[pipelineaudio]

The included JS version of Event Horizon and louderizer may do what you want