Mastering Question

[vocalize]

I actually have a 2 part question:

First, would you recommend using a tape saturation plugin on the master fader Pre Master or on the stereo bounce?

Secondly, Would you recommend mastering directly in Pro Tools, or using Wavelab? Seems to me that keeping everything within PT would be a smart choice, but I just want to be sure.

Thanks in advance for the advice. I truly appreciate it!

[albee1952]

Part one-try it and see what it sounds like. I suspect if you go really light on it, it may be good but overdone, it will not sound so good.

Part 2-flip a coin? Seriously, I have done both and tend to use Wavelab as I can render faster than real time and get the same results quicker. I use mostly the same tools in either software but sometimes(in protools) I will use the Pultec EQ to put sparkle on a dark mix(happens a lot with live recordings).

[Matt Whritenour]

I don't use a Tape Saturation plugin because I don't have one that would be good for the job, but I bought the DVD "Mix It Like a Record" and while I feel like I didn't learn much from it, I agree that if you are going to use a plugin like that, you want to put it on before you start this mix (also have the plugin set to unlinked) this way every mix decision you make is also based on what is going through the plugin rather than throwing it on at the end.

I have used Wavelab and ProTools to master, Wavelab is much faster to render and such, but I have become more comfortable mastering in pro tools which also allows me to do a better job. So I think that comes down to what is more comfortable for you

[GTBannah]

Originally Posted by Matt Whritenour

....but I have become more comfortable mastering in pro tools which also allows me to do a better job. ....

Could you explain how this is so?

[albee1952]

I think that's called "psycho-acoustics"....

[felix822]

How do I master in Pro Tools?

[GTBannah]

Originally Posted by felix822

How do I master in Pro Tools?

Where are you, Albee1952?