Waves Mastering vrs UAD

Revelation · 1st November 2004, 08:41 PM

Waves Mastering has 3 plug ins. A EQ, multiband compressor and the L2. The EQ and compressor are very transparent, and are a little more in depth than most other EQ and compressors.

I am wondering if you have the UAD plug ins, you have the Fairchild which can act like (not the same) like a Manley MU. It adds smoothness to the signal and helps gel it.
Then with the Cambridge and Pultec Pro you have a choice between a transparent and colored EQ. Then they have the new Limiter which is suppose to kick butt.

Do you see an advantage in using the Waves over the UAD plug ins? If so, what is it? I would think if you added all the color at the recording and mixing stage, maybe the Waves transparent plugs would be better. But many seem to like adding smoothness (warmth) as the mastering stage with a Massive Massive or MU.

Bob Olhsson · 2nd November 2004, 10:03 PM

Mixing is often about creating contrasts while mastering is often about revealing them. There aren't a lot of tools that are really optimal for both.

Revelation · 3rd November 2004, 04:02 AM

I just started the 14 day trial period with the Waves Mastering and I am very very impressed. With my Pent IV with a gig of ram I have enough power to use the plug ins.
The EQ is very transparent and you can add take away without hearing the phase issues that you get with many other EQ's.

However I do miss the analog gentle color that some high end EQ's have. But for the most part my thinking is changing a little. At the mastering stage, I don't think adding color should be a main concern, but more on correcting things and enhancing.

The L2 is good as usual, but the Precision Limiter by UAD is just as good, though I found the PL to be a little more open.

Compression on the Mastering is nice, but again very transparent. It kinda works as a EQ affecting a section of freq's at a time. When I added all three and turned them off, boy what a difference. At this time, it looks like I will be getting it for my studio in the near future. But I have 13 more days to play with it.

Alécio Costa · 3rd November 2004, 06:44 PM

Used with caution TC Master X 5 band is a ncie tool for quick mastering. Be extremely careful with the crossover points so as to not alter mix balance.
I found that the limiter section of the TC plug is better than Waves L1 ultra.
I am also close to dig L3 and the Waves Masters bundle. I just hope they do include L3 at a future Masters Bundle reissue.

Omega · 4th November 2004, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Revelation
However I do miss the analog gentle color that some high end EQ's have.

You could use the renaissance series for that. Although at the mastering level, they should be used with discretion.

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1st November 2004, 08:41 PM	#1
Revelation Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York Posts: 1,131	Waves Mastering vrs UAD Waves Mastering has 3 plug ins. A EQ, multiband compressor and the L2. The EQ and compressor are very transparent, and are a little more in depth than most other EQ and compressors. I am wondering if you have the UAD plug ins, you have the Fairchild which can act like (not the same) like a Manley MU. It adds smoothness to the signal and helps gel it. Then with the Cambridge and Pultec Pro you have a choice between a transparent and colored EQ. Then they have the new Limiter which is suppose to kick butt. Do you see an advantage in using the Waves over the UAD plug ins? If so, what is it? I would think if you added all the color at the recording and mixing stage, maybe the Waves transparent plugs would be better. But many seem to like adding smoothness (warmth) as the mastering stage with a Massive Massive or MU.

2nd November 2004, 10:03 PM	#2
Bob Olhsson Motown legend Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Songwriter Gulch, Nashville TN Posts: 5,139	Mixing is often about creating contrasts while mastering is often about revealing them. There aren't a lot of tools that are really optimal for both. __________________ Georgetown Masters 615 254-3233 Bob's room 615 385-8051 Music Industry 2.0

3rd November 2004, 06:44 PM	#4
Alécio Costa Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Brazil, Florianópolis/SC Posts: 1,207	hi Used with caution TC Master X 5 band is a ncie tool for quick mastering. Be extremely careful with the crossover points so as to not alter mix balance. I found that the limiter section of the TC plug is better than Waves L1 ultra. I am also close to dig L3 and the Waves Masters bundle. I just hope they do include L3 at a future Masters Bundle reissue. __________________ Alécio Costa Studio Music Production/Mastering http://www.aleciocosta.com Listen to my album at: http://www.audiostreet.net/artist.aspx?artistid=38915

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3rd November 2004, 04:02 AM	#3
Revelation Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New York Posts: 1,131	I just started the 14 day trial period with the Waves Mastering and I am very very impressed. With my Pent IV with a gig of ram I have enough power to use the plug ins. The EQ is very transparent and you can add take away without hearing the phase issues that you get with many other EQ's. However I do miss the analog gentle color that some high end EQ's have. But for the most part my thinking is changing a little. At the mastering stage, I don't think adding color should be a main concern, but more on correcting things and enhancing. The L2 is good as usual, but the Precision Limiter by UAD is just as good, though I found the PL to be a little more open. Compression on the Mastering is nice, but again very transparent. It kinda works as a EQ affecting a section of freq's at a time. When I added all three and turned them off, boy what a difference. At this time, it looks like I will be getting it for my studio in the near future. But I have 13 more days to play with it.