Hi

I'm looking to master projects, scores, and solo instruments. Would the mastering features in Logic Studio render a quality master ? or would it be advised to purchase a 3rd party plugin such as Wavelab 7 or Ozone 5 ?

What are some high end mastering plugins ? alternately what are some mid range mastering plugins ?

--------------------
Without Music Life Would Be a Mistake

Well, there are three very different tools there, Logic, Wavelab and Ozone. One is a DAW, one is a wave editor, and one is a plugin.

There is also really no such thing as a "mastering plugin", though some are promoted and designed as such. Any mastering process requires a bunch of tools and the tools needed will vary based on your needs, tastes and aesthetic. There are a *ton* of plugins out there, with different sounds, identities, sonic fingerprints and features.

Be aware that there is no such thing as "Logic Studio" anymore, there is Logic Pro, and Mainstage. Either are not "mastering applications" and while you could at a push use a DAW for mastering, it's not ideal - though some are better than others in this regard.

You're better of imo getting a wave editor like Wavelab, SoundForge, and exploring those while getting a feel for what tools those apps don't provide and where to fill in the gaps with third-party plugins. Also don't skimp on the monitoring and environment, as if you can't hear what you are doing, all the tools in the world won't give you good results...

If you do indeed have the Logic Studio Suite, it came with SoundTrack Pro and Waveburner, both capable of mastering.

Also on Mac is Quattro DSP, T-Racks standalone, there are also a few other audio editor that can host plugs.



--------------------
G-Dub
Studio G-fx 15inch quad-core i7 Macbook Pro Logic913

Quote desmond:

---

Be aware that there is no such thing as "Logic Studio" anymore, there is Logic Pro and Mainstage 2

---

I checked the Apple site it confirms Logic Studios DVD box set still comes with Logic Pro 9, MainStage 2, Soundtrack Pro 3, and Jam Pack collections on six content DVDs. So why do you say Logic Studio is NOT Logic Studio anymore ???

--------------------
Without Music Life Would Be a Mistake

I use Logic for mastering ... level EQ compression, limiting, reverb, expansion, all with automation. Editing.

as well as Waveburner for the final treatment.

I use 3rd party plugins as well as the logic/Waveburner ones.

I'm very happy with the workflow.

--------------------
PA stuff on FB

Depends on what you mean by mastering. If you mean tweaking the audio sonically, then sure - fill your boots. All the tools are there; compression, EQ, limiting - honestly, I'd have been made up if I'd had something like that when I started doing this. There are better tools around, but if you're dipping your toes in the water it'll cover all your bases in the short term. The audio editing is a bit clunky, but if you're not doing anything too complicated you should be fine.

If you mean mastering as in PQ editing, ISRC encoding and generating and verifying DDPs and PMCDs for replication, then no. You'll need something else.

Dave

--------------------
www.hiltongrovemastering.com

Quote musicworld1:

---

I checked the Apple site it confirms Logic Studios DVD box set still comes with Logic Pro 9, MainStage 2, Soundtrack Pro 3, and Jam Pack collections on six content DVDs. So why do you say Logic Studio is NOT Logic Studio anymore ???

---

Apple retail do not sell boxed copies of software anymore, and Logic Studio was discontinued some time back, with Logic Pro and Mainstage moved to the App Store for purchase. Best you might be able to do is find somewhere that still has old stock, and this is probably why you might be able to get it from the Apple Online Store, if they still have stock to shift.

However, why you'd want to pay £417 for Logic, Mainstage, Soundtrack and Waveburner vs £160 for Logic and Mainstage I don't know. You'd be paying £250+ essentially for Soundtrack Pro and Waveburner, both discontinued and unsupprte apps and while ok, are not exactly brilliant (or stable).

Better off getting Logic and a good wave editor, or a wave editor and plugins imo, for that money.

I hope at first you can distinguish the difference between mastering and mixing. Before going on to the mastering stage, make sure you bring out the best in your mix and focus on making the individual mixer tracks as efficient and energetic as possible. Dont forget to leave that -3db or around of headroom that all mastering engineers require. If you can "beef up" and cleanse your track within the mixing process, then the only thing you need to worry about when it comes to mastering is making sure you're getting a consistent sound through your tracks.

In an ideal world, your mix should be as perfect as possible with no problems to patch up within the mastering process.

Good Luck

Edited by HKPotential (20/02/13 12:22 PM)

Quote desmond:

---

Quote musicworld1:

---

why you'd want to pay £417 for Logic, Mainstage, Soundtrack and Waveburner vs £160 for Logic and Mainstage I don't know. You'd be paying £250+ essentially for Soundtrack Pro and Waveburner, both discontinued and unsupprte apps and while ok, are not exactly brilliant (or stable).

Better off getting Logic and a good wave editor, or a wave editor and plugins imo, for that money.

---

I get your point, and you're probably right about the Apple stock thing with it still being on the shelf. In contrast it's nice to to get Logic now at a cut price. Was Soundtrack Pro and Waveburner needed tools for mastering ? or can Logic do this alone.

--------------------
Without Music Life Would Be a Mistake

Soundtrack Pro is a wave editor. It's decent, but there are better options out there (Wavelab, SoundForge, Wave Editor, Audition etc) that are still being developed/supported.

Wave burner is a CD authoring/burning application.

Logic is not a substitute for either (which is why they were including in the original Logic Studio bundle).

Quote desmond:

---

Soundtrack Pro is a wave editor. It's decent, but there are better options out there (Wavelab, SoundForge, Wave Editor, Audition etc) that are still being developed/supported.

Wave burner is a CD authoring/burning application.

Logic is not a substitute for either (which is why they were including in the original Logic Studio bundle).

---

Crystal clear, cheers Dez.

--------------------
Without Music Life Would Be a Mistake

Edited by musicworld1 (20/02/13 08:53 PM)