Choose which you prefer the most...

[Ognen]

Hardware is hardware and cannot be compared to software imitation of it. So the relative thing here is what is your point, to have high end quality studio, or to have mid-equipped-satisfactory studio? In this case I choose the second option here, because money is the reason... always money .

[paul999]

I use voxengo spectrum analyzer. Other then that I don't use any plugs for mastering. I use a manley variable-mu, and the waves maxxbcl hardware digital limiter for the majority of the compression I need. Rarely a stereo set of distressors but sometimes they are the right color. Alesis reveb (old midi-verb) Cubase eq. Adding in Api 550b eq next week for some hopefully sweet colored eq.

[Bigduggieface]

Originally Posted by paul999

I don't use any plugs for mastering. I use a manley variable-mu, and the waves maxxbcl hardware digital limiter for the majority of the compression I need.

I wouldn't argue that the MaxxBCL is a 'hardware' limiter, paul999. However, is this piece not just the Waves plugins in a box? It seems to be like a C1, MaxxBass, and L3 UltraMaximizer placed in a hardware mountable chassis.

A quick Google to Sweetwater's site says that the MaxxBCL sells for $2,760. The Waves Platinum Bundle sells for $1,725.

The Platinum Bundle contains 31 plugins that you can use on every DAW track. Including the MaxxBCL's effects.

Other than the added cost of the hardware chassis and the extra AD/DA conversion, I can't see why one would pay $1,000 MORE for the BCL than the Platinum Bundle with 31 effects!

Instead of routing your signal to the BCL, why not route it to Wavelab or a similar DAW and process there? It's all digital anyhow(excepting any AD/DA conversion of course). If it's used in your studio and not needed on live gigs, why pay the extra $$$?

Of course, a nice analog Manley Variable Mu comp and a matching Massive Passive eq are another story.

[paul999]

Originally Posted by Bigduggieface

Including the MaxxBCL's effects.

Other than the added cost of the hardware chassis and the extra AD/DA conversion, I can't see why one would pay $1,000 MORE for the BCL than the Platinum Bundle with 31 effects!

Instead of routing your signal to the BCL, why not route it to Wavelab or a similar DAW and process there? It's all digital anyhow(excepting any AD/DA conversion of course). If it's used in your studio and not needed on live gigs, why pay the extra $$$?

Hey duggie

That is what I thought too. I can't explain it but it treats transients better. It gets in and out in a transparent way. For rough mixes I put 10-12 db of limiting and don't find it distracting. It is a shame I almost never use the compressor part and the maxx bass never makes it to tape but the limiter is worth $2700. Plus it takes no cpu power it has has awesome convertors that I use for all sorts of stuff. If anyone has the plug I would love to do a comparison where we use the same settings on a source etc. That would be interesting.


Paul

[Bigduggieface]

Are you using the converters on the MaxxBCL, p999? In other words, are you using this piece as if it were an analog piece, or are you using the digital i/o's?

You say you're limiting "10-12 db without being distracting"? Holy crap! If you mean a natural-sounding gain reduction of 10-12 db using a full-band comp/limiter, it might be worth the extra grand! Although I'd need to hear it before I believe it!

I wouldn't say that the software versions of the Waves plugs could do that consistently.

[paul999]

Originally Posted by Bigduggieface

Are you using the converters on the MaxxBCL, p999? In other words, are you using this piece as if it were an analog piece, or are you using the digital i/o's?

You say you're limiting "10-12 db without being distracting"? Holy crap! If you mean a natural-sounding gain reduction of 10-12 db using a full-band comp/limiter, it might be worth the extra grand! Although I'd need to hear it before I believe it!

I wouldn't say that the software versions of the Waves plugs could do that consistently.

I up loaded this file that I posted in the worlds biggest drum mic shoot out. This is basic raw tracks with 12 db of limiting when the snare hits and 3-6db in between. This mix has a long way to go but it made it possible to take to my truck on listen throughout my day so I can hear where I want to go.

I use digital I/O's for mastering and analog to plug in pre's and use the convertors. In this recording I also used the waves as a mic pre( yes you read right) on snare and bass on the snare it was sm 57 on top in to waves, e609 on the bottom in to the waves. With bass I used wunder CM7 and yamaha sub bass direct into the waves into cubase via digital I/O. This is not a dense mix so it doesn't show it well.

If you listen to my other posts any thing that says it is rough has at least 8db gain reduction on the waves. Granted it all has 2-4 db of reduction with the variable mu as well. They go together like bow and arrow, cigar and beer. You get the point.

[edub357]

I have the waves diamond bundle and izotope ozone, I cannot speak for the other plugins you listed.

[Bigduggieface]

Originally Posted by paul999

If anyone has the plug I would love to do a comparison where we use the same settings on a source etc. That would be interesting.

I agree, thanks for the offer, Trips999. Perhaps we can do some specific comparisons between which mastering devices to own, and which to avoid and why.

Let me find some suitable dynamic material and get back to you. I think we're in need of a Duggie-inspired thread about mastering dynamics.

Perhaps this is fodder for another thread...

Jeez, I don't mean to sound offensive, I'm just fired up to learn and listen to more in full unadulterated context!

[paul999]

Originally Posted by Bigduggieface

Jeez, I don't mean to sound offensive, I'm just fired up to learn and listen to more in full unadulterated context!

Offensive didn't even dawn on me. I would love to learn more about this too. Maybe I made the wrong decision. Who knows