#1293532 - 04/21/14 09:50 PM
What is a good standalone mastering software?
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Spikerama
Planeteer
Registered: 05/06/02
Posts: 4371
Loc: Oklahoma
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I'm not wanting plug-ins because my protools is old (6.4).
Thanks.
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#1295675 - 04/30/14 01:01 AM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: Spikerama]
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brimstonerecording
Planeteer
Registered: 05/18/03
Posts: 618
Loc: Tennessee
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I am starting to like T Racks. I use it in pro tools but i believe it is a stand alone also
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#1296118 - 05/01/14 12:39 PM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: brimstonerecording]
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Spikerama
Planeteer
Registered: 05/06/02
Posts: 4371
Loc: Oklahoma
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Thanks, Brimstone. I wondered about T Racks. Any problems getting it activated?
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#1296270 - 05/01/14 09:34 PM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: Spikerama]
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Bobkat
Planeteer
Registered: 01/23/08
Posts: 1206
Loc: St. Marys,Ontario,Canada
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IK Multimedia TRacks Mastering suite is excellent as a plugin for any DAW, OR, what I like is the Standalone feature which all you do is pop in a MXD sterio wave and have fun applying any of the processors to your mix.I also use it in Sonar X2 and Pro Tools as all of the processors are available to use along with the rest of your plugins.I also use Melodyne in Standalone mode to fix a few notes in a vocal or instrument track or in my DAWs.
The Standalone Versions are fast and very effective with good results IMHO. Good luck.
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#1296559 - 05/02/14 08:39 PM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: Bobkat]
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Spikerama
Planeteer
Registered: 05/06/02
Posts: 4371
Loc: Oklahoma
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Thanks, Bobkat. It sounds like what I need.
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#1298990 - 05/10/14 08:50 PM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: Spikerama]
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FalconEddy
Retired Mastering Marvel
Planeteer
Registered: 10/16/01
Posts: 10813
Loc: Litchfield, NH, USA
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The T-RackS Grand or T-RackS Deluxe are both excellent products. They can be used in a DAW such as ProTools 10 & 11, or as a complete stand alone version.
HOWEVER . . . you'll need to gain some experience using these products. They do help you cut through a lot of the mystery of the mastering process; but, UNDERSTANDING what is happening as you're applying different processors, or pre-arrainged mastering setups, is KEY to keeping dynamics, preventing compression-pumping, adding sparkle without too much sibilance, widening the stereo field for better instrumentation flow (different than in mixing), and getting those professional results and leveling you need before heading off for duplication.
I'm starting on my 15th year of mastering now, and IK Multimedia has progressed leaps and bounds with this product from where they were with their original T-RackS 24. The emulations for the vintage processors are excellent, and the new processors are equally good. Tweaking is nearly limitless, which is absolutely critical, and all tweaked setups can be named and saved to be used at a later date.
The T-RackS Grand used to cost a small fortune, but around a year ago it was drastically reduced in price by around 50% to $399.99, and they threw in the 'White 2A' leveling amp and 'Black 76' limiting amp with the package. There's now 16 modules that come with the 'Grand' version, plus the master metering suite 'module'.
It was all called the T-RackS Deluxe package a couple of years ago, and you had to buy the White 2A and Black 76 modules seperately. But, that only had like 10 or 12 modules in it, and it cost twice the price. The Deluxe goes for $199.99, which is a steal based on it's previous selling price. It has 9 modules and will probably work well enough for people just dipping their toes into the mastering pond for their own stuff.
The 2A and the 76 cost $79.99 a pop for the Deluxe. There are other modules that come in the Grand version such as Quad multi-band compressor, a Quad multi-band limiter, a Quad multi-band Imager, and a De-Esser. Plus a British Channel pre amp, the 2A and the 76. So, if you wanted the 2A leveler and the 76 limiter for the Deluxe package, that would be another $160.00. If you spent another %40.00, you could get the Grand package with 5 more modules, more mastering presets, and the master metering suite.
Hope this helps.
. . Falcon
_________________________
. . . but, what do I know?
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#1299464 - 05/12/14 09:05 PM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: FalconEddy]
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Spikerama
Planeteer
Registered: 05/06/02
Posts: 4371
Loc: Oklahoma
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Hey Falcon. That does help. Thanks for the info. I'll probably go for the Gold package, but since EZDrummer2 just came out, it may be postponed.
Thanks again.
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#1310594 - 06/19/14 01:52 PM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: Spikerama]
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SmagBoy1
Planeteer
Registered: 04/28/04
Posts: 165
Loc: Augusta, GA
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So, guys, if the T-Racks can work stand alone, how would you suggest to best use it? Make a stereo mix down and burn to CD? Make a stereo mix down and export in *.wav form using Bear's program? And then, once you've got the master you want, does it (T-racks) export in CD format?
Thanks for any thoughts/info!
Cheers,
Keith :-)
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#1310601 - 06/19/14 02:32 PM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: SmagBoy1]
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uptildawn
Planeteer
Registered: 12/15/01
Posts: 9128
Loc: on land
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I don't have T-Racks and don't have a manual to check, but in general I'd suggest that you export a stereo mix in .wav form and use bear's ripper to get it onto the pc. Or use any method that allows you to keep your mix at the best sample and bit rate you like to record your projects at all the way up until the final, mastered mixdown. For most audio projects, that would mean 24 bit and either 44.1k, or 48k - my own preference being 44.1k to avoid the inevitable need to downsample in order to burn audio CDs.
When you make a stereo mixdown on the VS and burn to CD, you've already restricted your mix to 44.1k/16bit, which is normally the final result you want and should not be an intermediate point, if you can avoid it. Also, don't apply dither to your intermediate mixes - Save it for the final, mastered mix, if you need to use it.
Tried to do a quick search for info on how to use T-Racks to create and burn your final CD, but couldn't even locate a downloadable manual to look up the subject. It appears that they only want registered users to have access to their manuals.
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uptildawn
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#1310612 - 06/19/14 03:12 PM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: uptildawn]
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SmagBoy1
Planeteer
Registered: 04/28/04
Posts: 165
Loc: Augusta, GA
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Thank you, uptildawn. :-)
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#1322339 - 08/12/14 02:23 PM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: SmagBoy1]
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Doofie
Doofie
Planeteer
Registered: 04/04/02
Posts: 14749
Loc: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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The Deluxe is $200. The upgrade from Deluxe to Grand is $130. The Grand is $400. Anyone know what's not included in the upgrade?
_________________________
"On religion, the common man finds it to be true,
the wise man finds it foolish,
and the wealthy man finds it useful."
-Seneca The Younger ~76AD
I'm David McMillan. My friends call me Chuck.
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#1324388 - 08/20/14 10:24 PM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: Doofie]
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FalconEddy
Retired Mastering Marvel
Planeteer
Registered: 10/16/01
Posts: 10813
Loc: Litchfield, NH, USA
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The Deluxe is $200. The upgrade from Deluxe to Grand is $130. The Grand is $400. Anyone know what's not included in the upgrade?
The normal upgrade price from Deluxe to Grand is $200, everything's included.
The $130 price may be a sale price, or something.
I remember a few years ago when the Deluxe was the top of the line, cost about three times the price of today's 'Grand', and the Black 76 and the White 2A still had to be purchased separately.
But, after someone in marketing finally got smart and decided to put a big 30 day sales push on, dropped the pricing, and added modules; they were buried to their eyeballs in money from this product. They also had a challenge of a number of units to be sold worldwide. If they reached it, the deal was to allow you to choose a free Black 76 or White 2A. The response was so overwhelming they reached their target in two weeks, so they gave another sales target to reach to get the other module. That target was reached with two days to spare, so everyone got both modules that had purchased T-Racks during the sales event. They were $150 a pop back then.
. . Falcon
_________________________
. . . but, what do I know?
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#1325632 - 08/26/14 12:34 AM
Re: What is a good standalone mastering software?
[Re: FalconEddy]
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Doofie
Doofie
Planeteer
Registered: 04/04/02
Posts: 14749
Loc: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks, Falcon. I've been looking at Sweetwater. The Classic is $80, the upgrade is $230. The Deluxe is $200, the upgrade is $130. The Grand is $400. Why wouldn't I go for the Classic plus the upgrade? I know I'm nickel and diming it here, and this is a download upgrade, but why would I spend the extra money? I mean if it's apples and apples...
_________________________
"On religion, the common man finds it to be true,
the wise man finds it foolish,
and the wealthy man finds it useful."
-Seneca The Younger ~76AD
I'm David McMillan. My friends call me Chuck.
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