This video demonstrates the effects of using compression in a mix.

Discussing compression is opening a can of worms. Robert Henke (Monolake) avoided compression on his latest release, commenting:

Radio, and more recently mp3 players and laptop speakers influenced the way popular music is composed, produced and mastered: Every single event has to be at maximum level all the time. This works best with music that is sonically simple, and music in which only a few elements are interacting. A symphony does not sound convincing thru a mobile phone speaker, and a maximized symphony does not sound convincing at all.

My take on compression is that extreme compression would ideally be left to playback devices, unless it’s being used as a creative tool. If you’re listening to that classical symphony or Monolake release in your car, you could push the “compression” button and hear the quiet bits, without the need for for the track to be squashed.

via muzicali:

Wondering how much compression you should use in the mix? Maybe you’re skeptical that compression really makes a difference? Its a difficult effect to get a handle on and to really use effectively. It starts by being able to hear the difference between a mix that has compression and one that does not. To this end, Ive cooked up a phat drum beat and given it a mix with lots of compression. In this video, I switch all of the compressors on and off while the beat is playing, so you can hear the difference. And, at the same time I flip through the compressors on each channel so you can peep my settings. Enjoy!

Sony

Update features include event-based editing, the élastique time stretch and pitch shift plug-in, interactive tutorials and a mastering effects bundle.

Details below.

If you’ve used Sony Sound Forge Pro 10, leave a comment with your thoughts!

New Features:

• Event-based editing is ideal for precise audio mastering, assembling project sketches, or laying out tracks for authoring disc-at-once CDs. In Sound Forge 10, users can quickly move, split, slip, and trim events, create fades, apply ASR envelopes and crossfades within in a single data window for more precise audio control.
• Integrated disc-at-once CD burning results in time savings and provides a more efficient workflow when generating Red Book compliant disc-at-once premasters of music suitable for professional replication. Perform full PQ code editing, create live-style CDs, add CD text and metadata, and use high-resolution source audio with precise conversion to Red Book audio.
• The élastique time stretch and pitch shift plug-in provides better sounding audio when processing audio files. Users can also monitor and adjust settings while previewing in real-time, and select from various stretching methods that are tailored to their source audio including Pro, Soloist, and Efficient modes.
• The iZotope 64-bit SRC utilizes a hybrid low pass filter design, resulting in pristine audio with less aliasing converting material from one sampling rate to another. The iZotope MBIT+ dither employs psychoacoustic methods to distribute noise into less audible ranges, resulting in improved audio and smoother fades when converting the bit rates of audio files.
• Musical instrument file processing (.DLS, .SF2, .GIG) – Sound Forge Pro 10 software opens, processes, and saves DLS, GigaStudio/GigaSampler, and SoundFont 2.0 musical instrument files. Users can view bank, instrument, note range, and sample information. Effects and processes can easily be added directly to samples.
• Customizable window layouts are designed to maximize productivity by allowing users to create and save multiple unique interface layout configurations for single and dual monitor systems, and recall a window layout for specific editing tasks such as audio editing, CD layout, and multichannel file editing.
• Mastering Effects Bundle 2 powered by iZotope – The powerful bundle of audio mastering tools included with Sound Forge 10 is valued at over $200 and includes six professional plug-ins to expertly master and enhance audio production: Mastering EQ, Mastering Reverb, Multiband Compressor, Mastering Limiter, Stereo Imager, and Harmonic Exciter.
• Interactive tutorials – Sony Creative Software’s unique interactive tutorials provide walkthrough demonstrations of common features and functionality, including DAO CD burning, vinyl recording and restoration in order to help users spend less time learning and more time editing and mastering audio projects.

Price and Availability

The Sound Forge Pro 10 digital audio production software is now available in English and Japanese. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for Sound Forge Pro 10 software is U.S. $499.

NAMM Show News: iZotope announced Ozone 4. iZotope has updated and expanded Ozone’s processing algorithms, optimizing them for low-latency DAW environments.

Ozone 4 features a new Intelligent Loudness Maximizer mode, mid/side processing for superior control over the sound stage, hybrid crossovers, a re- designed interface and a completely updated preset manager featuring innovative MacroPresets. In addition, numerous interface improvements and ease-of-use additions make Ozone even more accessible to musicians who want to quickly finalize their projects, while also offering precise tools for professional engineers.

Ozone 4 ships January 30th, 2009 for $249 MSRP. Ozone 4 is distributed worldwide by M-Audio, and will also be available by direct download only. Customers who bought Ozone 3 after October 1, 2008 are eligible for a free upgrade to Ozone 4 when it is released. Existing Ozone 3 customers will be able to upgrade for only $79 USD.

Key Features:

• Integrated mastering system combining analog warmth and digital precision
• Seven essential mastering processors in one integrated plug-in
• Updated processing algorithms, optimized for low-latency DAW environments
• New mid/side processing tools add a whole new dimension of power to Ozone’s EQ, dynamics, harmonic exciter and reverb modules by letting you process different parts of the soundstage separately
• New IRC™ Intelligent Loudness Maximizer “Intelligent II” mode provides full, loud and dynamic masters while handling transients with unprecedented clarity
  Improved and enhanced preset manager with over 100 presets and a floating window for easier editing and better visual feedback
• New MacroPresets let you adjust a few simple parameters to find the perfect starting point for mastering a project
• Completely re-designed input and output metering shows real-world analog peak levels (inter-sample peaks), simultaneous peak and RMS values, and now includes full K-System metering support
• New hybrid crossovers combine the best aspects of digital and analog crossovers
• Many more interface and ease-of-use additions including refined EQ controls, automatic gain compensation,
• “Amount” sliders to dial in more or less processing on each module, and more
• Plug-in formats: Pro Tools 7 (RTAS/AudioSuite), VST, MAS, Audio Unit, and DirectX

Platforms:

• Windows Vista, XP
• Apple OS X (Universal Binary)

Voxengo Elephant is a mastering limiter plug-in for professional music production applications. According to Voxengo, the new limiter “brings sound limiting and loudness maximization without any audible “pumping” effects.”

Elephant features a variety of limiter modes that can be deeply customized, and a comprehensive set of level metering tools. Elephant limiter can be used for mixing and mastering of both stereo and multi-channel music and sound material, at any standard sample rate.

Elephant, also featuring a DC offset filter, and a high-quality bit-depth converter with an optional noise-shaping, allows you to finish your music and audio productions with a spark.

Elephant retails for $89.

Features:

• Transparent signal limiting action
• 10 predefined limiter modes
• Limiter mode editor
• Optional release stage
• Noise-shaped bit-depth converter
• DC offset removal filter
• Multi-channel processing
• Internal channel routing
• Channel grouping
• Up to 8x linear-phase oversampling
• 64-bit floating point processing
• Preset manager
• Undo/redo history
• A/B comparisons
• Contextual hint messages

The audiophile geeks at HydrogenAudio took a look/listen at the files with a scanning electron audioscope and noticed some mastering errors.

The story has a happy ending, though, because the NIN guys are audiophile geeks, too. They’ve released remastered versions of the free tracks on The Slip and they are available as free downloads.

Here’s what Trent Reznor had to say about the situation at the HydogenAudio site:

Gents-

Thanks for the heads up regarding this matter. The corrected files are now posted on our site and if you re-download them they will be the correct ones.
What happened? We mastered this on Friday (5/2) and released it Sunday night. The files went right from mastering to the server without the proper scrutiny (aside from a cursory listen for errors). The last two songs were different because they were redone due to an audible error we did find.
Bottom line: some sort of mastering shenanigans took place.
In addition, there are now 24/96 FLAC files as well as wave files.

BTW, the record was recorded at 24/96 using a Lavry AD122-96MKIII, Antelope’s Isochrone OCX clock and mixed in analog through the SSL AWS 900+. We mixed back into Pro Tools through the Lavry as well as a separate rig running at 24/192 using Apogee A/D. The mixes we chose varied song to song based on what sounded best to us.

Trent Reznor

More info at the NIN blog.

The process documented is vintage, old-school tape process. The gear is original. The vinyl is live cut.

It’s an interesting and timely set of videos:

Mission of Burma- Burma Reissue Mastering Sessions Part 1

Mission of Burma- Burma Reissue Mastering Sessions Part 2

Mission of Burma- Burma Reissue Mastering Sessions Part 3

Mission of Burma- Burma Reissue Mastering Sessions Part 4

The MR Suite consists of 5 plug-ins:

• Master Restoration – all-in-one plug-in
• MR Noise – powerful broadband noise reduction
• MR Hum – hum removal, buzz removal, brickwall filters, and spectrum display
• MR Click – click/pop removal and crackle/scratch removal
• MR Gate – noise gate

Features:

• Great sounding noise reduction with minimal artifacts
• Noise reduction is low latency (under 20 msec) and can be used in live situations
• Fast noise floor learning time (down to 50 msec), hence noise looping is not required
• All plug-ins can be monitored to hear signal that is removed
• Comprehensive displays for all plug-ins
• High resolution spectrum display lets you see hum partials before you notch them out
• Separate algorithms for clicks/pops and crackle/scratch noise
• User presets are automatically shared between individual plug-ins and Master Restoration plug-in
• Mono/stereo, up to 192 kHz sampling rate, 32-bit processing with 64-bit EQs
• Mac OS X (AU/RTAS/VST/MAS) Universal Binary
• Windows (RTAS/VST/DX)

Suggested MSRP: $499 for Master Restoration Suite, $349 for MR Noise, $99 for MR Hum, MR Click, and MR Gate. Fully functional 30-day demos are available on the Wave Arts website.

Blue Cat Audio has unleashed Blue Cat’s Parametr’EQ series V3.0 and a new mastering bundle named Blue Cat’s Master Pack.

The Parametr’EQ series offers non linear modeling capabilities to provide analog compression and distortion at every EQ stage. The new output peak meter and brickwall limiter are of great help to adjust the output level. These plugins also offer a window opacity feature which lets you see through the user interface while adjusting the parameters. The special ‘Widening’ version provides mid/side channels where you can manage the center position for the M-S matrix, enabling precise positioning of the EQ in the stereo field or multi band stereo widening and narrowing capabilities.

These plugins can be purchased separately, as a bundle, or within the new Blue Cat’s Master Pack that includes all necessary tools for mixing and mastering. A demo version of the plugins can be downloaded on Blue Cat Audio’s website, and special introduction prices have been setup for this new release (-20%).

Musikmesse: Steinberg announced a new DVD-ROM tutorial series that offers a complete guide to digital audio mastering. The new three-part series covers almost every aspect of producing a professional master, and provides both digital audio essentials and expert techniques, supported with practical examples throughout. Audio Mastering will be available in Q2 2007.

“This series offers one of the most complete step-by-step tutorials on audio mastering in digital environments that are available today,” states Frank Seidel, Steinberg’s Product Manager for Audio Mastering. “This series opens up areas of mastering and digital audio technology in a very accessible way to anyone who wants to produce their own masters, and offers an immense resource of detailed knowledge for both newcomers and experienced engineers.”

Audio Mastering offers a complete, authoritative library of mastering knowledge, all the way from fundamental principles behind digital audio through to highly specialized mastering techniques and strategies. Using Steinberg’s industry- standard WaveLab 6 mastering software as its reference application, Audio Mastering also provides practical examples that make the expert knowledge and techniques contained easily accessible.

About the author Friedemann Tischmeyer has been working professionally in audio mastering and mixing for more than 15 years. Being an engineer for countless well-known artists and the owner of his own independent mastering facility, Friedemann has also published his two extremely well-received books ‘Audio Mastering with PC Workstations’ and ‘Internal Mixing’.

Content Overview:

Volume I
“What is mastering”
Defining the goals of mastering
CD mastering of stereo tracks
CD mastering from groups
Time management
Studio acoustics & room acoustics testing and calibration
Choice of speakers & speaker layout
Equipment requirement for mastering
Cabling
Operation system settings
Audio interfaces
Frontend & backend
Our sense of hearing
The Fletcher-Munson curve
Listening strategies
Ear training
Frequency distribution
Metering for mastering

Volume II
Loudness and peak levels
What are interleaved sample-overs?
Headroom for encoding
Normalization
Judging loudness
Reference values for loudness
PCM – the principle of digital audio
Basics of bit resolution
What is truncation?
Sample rate basics
Sample rate conversion (SRC)
All about dithering
What is jitter?
AES/EBU & S/P-DIF
Wordclock and houseclock
What is DC offset?
ISRC / EAN
Redbook & DAO/TAO
Optimal workflow
Phase 1: Preparation
Batch processing

Volume III
Phase 2: Creative sound processing
Optimizing the best-sounding track
Using the leveler for A/B comparisons
Saving master section settings
PQ editing
Editing CD text & EAN / ISRC
Final master montage
Phase 3: Follow up
Verification master
Error elimination
Choice of master medium / DDP versus CD-R/CD-ROM
Audio CD report
Creative Processing: Basic strategies
Order of processing steps
Working with EQs
Fletcher-Munson curve and EQing
Important filter types
Compressors
Typical examples and strategies
Practical editing examples with master section

Price and availability
Audio Mastering will be available in three volumes priced at €49.00* each.

This instructional video covers the most important steps when mastering, such as tonal balance by means of Equalization, applying compression to your audio source to tighten up the dynamic range as needed, as well as Loudness maximizing to give your song that punch.

The video also covers additional areas that are sometimes used when mastering such as adding a touch of sparkle with harmonic exciters, a dash of reverb to add space, as well as working to keep your audio in phase.

Sonic Studio has announced a new version of their low cost premastering application, PreMaster CD 2.0, which they call “the go-to application for CD creation on the Mac.”

PreMaster CD 2.0 adds more background processing, more control and more functionality. This new release consolidates all the maintenance changes incorporated into the code base while adding the ability to support options, including Manual DeClick II and DDP File Open for both split and consolidated DDP file sets. A new Master Section, with large, adjustable metering, a master fader with dim, and convenient management of redithering parameters, offers centralized command and control. Other additions include export to BWF and AIFF along with optimized processing of waveform metadata.

PreMaster CD 2.0 is available now starting at US$495.

Originally developed for TC Electronic’s flagship System 6000 high definition processor, UnWrap facilitates smooth and fast stereo to 5.1 up-conversions when there is no time to do a conventional 5.1 mix or multitrack source material is non-existent. The UnWrap plug-in is available for PowerCore VST at EUR 950 retail ex. VAT and for Pro Tools|HD Accel at EUR 1250 retail ex. VAT. The Mac version of UnWrap is optimized for both PowerPC and IntelMac based systems.

UnWrap offers an array of parameters to convert stereo and LtRt sources to 5.1, while remaining faithful to the original mix’s width, timbre, spaciousness and other significant factors. Because of this approach the 5.1 output can be subsequently down- mixed to stereo again with no sonic penalties.

UnWrap includes customized up-conversion presets for film production and music mastering. The default presets include the capability to widen or narrow the image, specify envelopment, control the amount of center and LFE channels to be used, and several other aspects for dealing well with a wide variety of sources.

UnWrap uses 48 bit processing, has sample precision aligned outputs, and is capable of running at any sample rate between 44.1 and 96 kHz.

Wave Arts debuted the Master Restoration Suite at the 2007 Winter NAMM show.

Master Restoration Suite is a comprehensive set of restoration plug-ins for cleaning up tape, vinyl, and acoustic recordings. The tools are designed to give high quality results with minimal tweaking.

The MR Suite consists of 5 plug-ins:

• Master Restoration – all-in-one plug-in
• MR Hum – hum removal, buzz removal, and brickwall filters
• MR Click – click/pop removal and crackle removal
• MR Noise – broadband noise reduction
• MR Gate – noise gate

Some notable features:

• All sections can be monitored to hear signal that is removed
• Comprehensive displays for all processors
• Onset detector in crackle processor keeps onsets bright and crisp
• Extremely low latency (under 20 msec) noise reduction can be used in live situations
• Fast noise floor learning time (down to 50 msec)
• Auto dynamics mode in noise reduction keeps transients sharp while avoiding squirrelly artifacts
• Presets for each section
• Mono/stereo, up to 192 kHz sampling rate, 32-bit processing with 64-bit EQs
• Mac OS-X (AU/RTAS/VST/MAS) Universal Binary
• Windows (RTAS/VST/DX)

Suggested MSRP: $499 for Master Restoration Suite, $299 for MR Noise, $149 for MR Hum, MR Click, and MR Gate. Master Restoration Suite is expected to ship by Spring of 2007.

Wave Arts will debut the Master Restoration Suite at the 2007 Winter NAMM show. Master Restoration Suite is a comprehensive set of restoration plug-ins for cleaning up tape, vinyl, and acoustic recordings. The tools give extremely high quality results with minimal tweaking, hence they sound great and are easy to use.

The MR Suite consists of 5 plug-ins:

• Master Restoration – all-in-one plug-in
• MR Hum – hum removal, buzz removal, and brickwall filters
• MR Click – click/pop removal and crackle removal
• MR Noise – broadband noise reduction
• MR Gate – noise gate

Some notable features:

• All sections can be monitored to hear signal that is removed
• Comprehensive displays for all processors
• Onset detector in crackle processor keeps onsets bright and crisp
• Extremely low latency (under 20 msec) noise reduction can be used in live situations
• Fast noise floor learning time (down to 50 msec)
• Auto dynamics mode in noise reduction keeps transients sharp while avoiding squirrelly artifacts
• Presets for each section
• Mono/stereo, up to 192 kHz sampling rate, 32-bit processing with 64-bit EQs
• Mac OS-X (AU/RTAS/VST/MAS) Universal Binary
• Windows (RTAS/VST/DX)

Suggested MSRP: $499 for Master Restoration Suite, $299 for MR Noise, $149 for MR Hum, MR Click, and MR Gate. Master Restoration Suite is expected to ship by Spring of 2007.

soundBlade runs natively on the secure and user friendly Mac OS X, and relies on Core Audio for default I/O so hardware lock–in is eliminated. For in–depth signal manipulation, soundBlade offers AU and VST plug–in support, and either type can be used in any order in the signal path. The application also combines Sonic Studio’s famed EFM™ and 4 point editing capabilities with their SSE™ real time audio engine and optional, accelerated DSP processing for the finest fidelity money can buy.

Combining Sonic Studio’s benchmark premastering functionality with the signal processing, restoration and comprehensive editing that discriminating mastering engineers have been asking for, soundBlade carries an MSRP of $1495. It is available now through Sonic Studio’s international network of distributors and channel partners who share the company’s commitment to quality and service.

More information and demo downloads are available at the Sonic Studio site.

The approach represents a paradigm shift in the way these types of DSP effects have been designed to date. The unique method employed easily allows the mastering engineer to achieve maximum perceived “loudness” transparently without getting overshoots (Digital-over’s) with minimum audible distortion. The characteristics of the final audio can quickly be adjusted to taste, be it analog or digital with only two rotary-dials.

The drive / color dial component also allows the addition of analog saturation when “running hot”, this can naturally be disabled if not required. Spectraphy has been designed for ease of use and efficiency in mind without sacrificing creative freedom.

About Spectraphy Physics

What makes Spectraphy’s process unique is the novel approach used for its dynamic signal analysis. Internally Sprectraphy utilizes a special physics engine to accurately simulate multiple response signals to maximize the perceived signal volume and to also “brick wall” upper limit to peak set levels.

Final response curve is computed on the analysis of multiple simulations each having different characteristics that are driven mainly by incoming transient signals concurrently.

This approach tends to produce a more natural sound, almost completely eliminating the risk of introducing audible nonlinear distortion.

Spectraphy Main Features:

• Physics based Peak Limiting
• Maximum transparent loudness
• Look-ahead Brickwall limiting with no overshoots (Digital-overs)
• Variable Limiter mode (Analog / Physical – Digital / Current)
• Elasticity – Limiter Transient (Peak) response strength / Speed
• Saturation / Drive Dial
• VST Automation for all parameters
• Gain reduction and RMS meters
• 64-bit internal precision
• 24bit/96Khz audio support
• Highly optimized custom DSP code
• Suitable for Mastering, Mixing and Tracking

More information is available at the Crysonic site.

Digital Music Doctor

The course contains over 2 hours of interactive videos which demonstrate principles and concepts of digital audio mixing and mastering using examples from Pro Tools 7, Sonar 5, Cubase SX3, Ozone 3, Sound Forge 8, and Audition 1.5 as well as popular audio plug-ins.

This course contains 17 modules and is organized into 3 sections: Overview, Mixing and Mastering. The Overview section introduces the necessary audio engineering concepts. Both the Mixing and Mastering sections are organized into a straightforward framework consisting of 5 elements: Volume, Panning, Dynamics, EQ, and FX.

The course illustrates the principles and concepts of mixing and mastering using a number of examples created in popular pro audio products. Examples in the Mixing section use primarily Pro Tools 7, Sonar 5, and Cubase SX3, and examples in the Mastering section concentrate on Ozone 3, Sound Forge 8, and Audition 1.5. Audio plug-ins from Waves Audio, PSP Audioware, and Camel Audio are also demonstrated.

Mixing & Mastering: Know It All! is presented using Macromedia Flash and is available in DVD and digital download formats for Microsoft Windows XP and Macintosh OS X.

The course is available at the Digital Music Doctor website and Amazon.com as well as various online publishers and pro audio dealers. The Digital Music Doctor website also features demos of the course.

More information is available at the Digital Music Doctor site.

iZotope

“As a research based-company, we understand how essential it is to keep up with the rapid evolution of audio technology,” comments Jeremy Todd, CTO at iZotope, “It is important that students have access to today’s cutting-edge software for their future careers.”

Qualified students, educators, and schools, can purchase iZotope’s entire line of plug-ins in this special bundle for $299.99. (Retail price sold separately is $579.97)

“With extensive options and immersive graphical interfaces, iZotope’s plug-ins are powerful tools for teaching important concepts in audio, such as production, mixing, mastering, and sound design. We are proud to be able to offer these to educators, students, and schools across the country, and the world,” says Ken Johnson, Director of Education for M-Audio.

Ozone 3—Integrated Mastering System with Analog Modeling

iZotope’s Ozone 3 combines analog modeling with 64-bit digital precision to deliver a complete integrated suite of world-class mastering processors. Ozone 3 isn’t a collection of plug-ins—it’s a single powerful interface that combines all the required mastering tools in one system, making it easier to understand and use the mix.

Trash—Complete Distortion Processor

iZotope Trash sets a new standard in distortion and amp modeling. With its wide range of 64-bit box, cabinet, and speaker models, multiband distortion algorithms, fully sweepable and triggerable filters, and unique delay module, Trash is able to provide a superior sound with tremendous flexibility.

Spectron—Spectral Domain Effects Processing

Spectron is a complete effects processing software package. Users will find standard effects including delay, chorus, filter, flange, panning and morphing as recognizable starting points to a completely unique set of effects. Spectron uses spectral domain processing to provide control over selective frequency bands for a unique and nearly limitless sonic palette. Spectron’s elegant, easy-to-navigate interface allows users to quickly access the power of the software’s unique sound-shaping transformation possibilities.

InspectorXL is the professional counterpoint to Elemental Audio Systems’ popular, free, mini audio analysis plug-in, Inspector. InspectorXL has a regular price of $219 US, but is available now at over 50% off – an introductory price of $89 US – until September 30, 2005.

Available in the RTAS, VST, and Audio Unit plug-in formats, InspectorXL can be used in Mac and Windows hosts including: Digidesign Pro Tools, Apple Logic, Steinberg Cubase, Ableton Live, and more.

InspectorXL’s six (6) audio plug-ins integrate the following tools: spectrum analyzers, phase scopes, balance meter, correlation meter, stereo image mid-side meters, peak and RMS level meters (including K-system and IEC Digital PPM support), and more. Because InspectorXL’s analyzers have been appropriately grouped and/or separated into individual plug-ins, screen space and CPU usage is limited to those analyzers currently needed. All InspectorXL plug-ins have been optimized for efficient processing on each supported operating system.

To address the myriad needs of audio professionals, InspectorXL offers a variety of analysis options. For example, when users need spectral analysis they may choose from one of InspectorXL’s three (3) professional spectrum analyzers. Level meters are included in both vertical and horizontal configurations, offer support for common standards, and may be completely customized to meet individual needs. In addition to traditional phase scope modes, Elemental Audio Systems’ intuitively designed Polar phase plot is included. Each InspectorXL plug-in offers a wealth of configuration options to control ballistics, viewing preferences, and the specific analysis data provided.

Because InspectorXL is an analysis plug-in intended for everyday use, great attention has been devoted to its user interface design. Easy default settings creation and loading help to ensure InspectorXL is configured as desired when loaded in any host on a user’s machine. Per area Import allows users to import information like color selections from an existing saved settings file without overwriting all current settings. InspectorXL’s extensive alarms warn when undesired audio events occur, freeing users from constantly observing some types of analysis. All appropriate InspectorXL plug-in modules feature an integrated color picker for easy, on-the-fly color customization.

Additional InspectorXL features include a Hidden Clip Detector for catching past incidents of clipping that are undetectable by traditional means, configurable Alarm Severities and Alarm Groups, quick and easy saving of spectral snapshots for later recall and comparison, clipping and over tracking, integrated load and save, and support for sample rates up to 192 kHz.

A non time-limited demo may be downloaded from the Elemental Audio site.

System Requirements:

Mac:PowerPC G3 or higher; Mac OS X (10.2 or higher) and AU or VST compatible host application; Digidesign Pro Tools 6.4, or newer, and Digidesign-approved system

Win:Pentium 3 or higher; Windows 2000/XP and VST compatible host application; Digidesign Pro Tools 6.4, or newer, and Digidesign-approved system

PSP MasterComp

Features

• Extremely transparent compression thanks to double precision (64-bit floating point) and double-sampled (FAT mode) algorithms
• Low distortion thanks to MasterComp’s precise level detector, which includes an optional automatic attack and release time adjustment
• Wide range of controls
• Over-threshold compression and expansion
• Advanced side chain filtering, channel linking and compression tilting capabilities
• Mix control allows you to blend processed and clean signal
• MasterComp includes a high quality brick wall output limiter with automatic release time
• Advanced PPM/VU meters with textual readings and adjustable parameters

Suggested Applications

• Controlling or revitalizing the dynamics of a final mix during Mastering.
• Controlling or revitalizing dynamics of main tracks, groups and entire mix during mixing.

Suggested requirements for PC

• Windows XP or Windows 2000
• VST, DirectX or RTAS compatible host application
• 512 MB RAM
• P4 2GHz or PM 1.6GHz
• High Color S-VGA, 1024×768

MSRP:

• 389$ in the bundle with PSP VintageWarmer and PSP MasterQ;
• 249$ sold separately
• Upgrade offers for current users of VintageWarmer and MasterQ available (up to 60% off)

More information is available at the PSPAudioware site.