Use Pro Tools to render effects without a professional audio interface

[Rockman413]

Hi there,
Now after mixing with pro equipments, now I got the mastered files.
Now I'm going to do Mastering myself, I'm going use pro tools to add insert AAX effects such as t-racks efx or compressor or all kinds of efx, everything is in the box, every effects is AAX.
Does it matter what kind of audio interface I use for the final result?

Track A: the mixed file, with several effects as insert plugins, output to bus 1-2 and Track B to record bus 1-2 into the mastered audio region and export that file.

If my efx parameters are the same, would there be any difference for the final file between I use my macbook pro internal audio device (so called "macbook pro headphone" as pro tools's audio device) v.s. using a professional audio interface?
I would guess it's the same file as everything is digitally processed, and it's the same even I don't use any audio device in pro tools (if applicable), am I right?

(of course I may hear differently and make different adjustment when I'm doing the master, but this topic is focusing on using the same parameters on efx plugins)

[JFreak]

Whatever processing you do has nothing to do with your interface. A plugin will sound just the same with one dollar and one million dollar interface. Only problem is your monitoring: if you have sub-par DA conversion and sub-par monitors, then the decisions you make are worse, compared to great DA conversion and great monitors.

Mastering and T-Racks do not go well together anyway.

[Rockman413]

Originally Posted by JFreak

Whatever processing you do has nothing to do with your interface. A plugin will sound just the same with one dollar and one million dollar interface. Only problem is your monitoring: if you have sub-par DA conversion and sub-par monitors, then the decisions you make are worse, compared to great DA conversion and great monitors.

Mastering and T-Racks do not go well together anyway.

Great that's what I thought.

"if you have sub-par DA conversion and sub-par monitors, then the decisions you make are worse, compared to great DA conversion and great monitors."
--> Some people tell me, because of the enviourment today, maybe it's even better to listen on normal computer's audio card as this is more close to 99% people's enviourment as 99% doesn't have a professional audio interface. How do you think of this?

"Mastering and T-Racks do not go well together anyway."
--> What do you mean by this? T-Racks mastering suite are not good mastering plug ins?

[JFreak]

I think you have a ... how would I say it politely ... skewed idea about mastering.

Mastering Engineer will need to hear the truth. Make adjustments based on what is heard, or do not make adjustments at all. And to be able to do that, what the ME hears needs to be as close to the truth as possible. Not one dollar headphones.

Technically speaking, ME needs to have 100% dynamics and 100% frequency range to work with. If your listening environment only has 50% dynamics and 75% frequency range, you only have 37.5% to work with.

And you are correct, T-Racks is not a mastering tool.

[Rockman413]

Originally Posted by JFreak

I think you have a ... how would I say it politely ... skewed idea about mastering.

Mastering Engineer will need to hear the truth. Make adjustments based on what is heard, or do not make adjustments at all. And to be able to do that, what the ME hears needs to be as close to the truth as possible. Not one dollar headphones.

Technically speaking, ME needs to have 100% dynamics and 100% frequency range to work with. If your listening environment only has 50% dynamics and 75% frequency range, you only have 37.5% to work with.

And you are correct, T-Racks is not a mastering tool.

I see, I agree.

Regarding T-Racks, I think IK T-Rakcs market themselves as the "Mastering Suites", what do you think it's not a mastering tool, or not a good mastering tool? What will you have in mind for good mastering tool?

[JFreak]

Anything can be a mastering tool if your listening environment gives you 100% what you need to hear, as I said.

But usually mastering is done with analog gear. And if you master in the box, the plugins are the very best, such as Massenburg EQ etc.

The best mastering tool however is the ears of the mastering engineer. Someone who has the guts to say this material does not need any processing.

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by Rockman413

I see, I agree.

Regarding T-Racks, I think IK T-Rakcs market themselves as the "Mastering Suites", what do you think it's not a mastering tool, or not a good mastering tool? What will you have in mind for good mastering tool?

I was once a heavy user of IKMM TRacks plugins but not any more. Overpriced and not all that good to tell the truth. They put a veil over the sound that you don't notice until you get decent plugins. I wouldn't even use them for mixing. You want mastering quality on a budget? How about Fabfilter plugins. They can be as clean as you want and surgical as well.


And for the love that is good audio don't confuse mixing and mastering - two completely different processes. If you find yourself using a ton of plugins while 'mastering' then go back and re-mix the piece. For the mastering I do I have the Dangerous Bax eq and elysia alpha compressor and that's it (both purchased from Plugin Alliance).