What's on your master bus? (esp. now that VSTs are fair game)

[xRwu8]

I'm curious to hear what people are putting on their master bus these days, i.e. EQ, multiband compression, saturation, limiting, etc. I’m especially interested to hear about 2-bus chains now that we can use a combination of REs and VSTs.

I’ve long been using the standard chain from the master section of the “Empty+FX” template (MClass Equalizer > Stereo Imager > Compressor > Maximizer), as well as the SSL Master Comp, EVE-MP5, and Ozone Maximizer. (I haven’t yet bought 4Dyne, but when it’s on sale again I plan to buy and fully expect it to become a regular on my 2-bus).

Thanks for any info/suggestions

[EdGrip]

I had to look up 2 bus. We know not these Gearslutz phrases.

I'm excited to have Barricade to replace the MClass maximiser, and I tried xfer's OTT out last night. That does what it says on the tin.

[Oquasec]

SplineEq.

[cryonicPAX]

It matters whats come trough these busses. On Drums its the Saturator from softube, waves API 2500 and iZotope Alloy 2 (just transientshaper).

[AttenuationHz]

Ah will delete my thread didn't realise there was one already!

Its an absolute must for me anyway to have in this oder.

Audio out.
K-Meter (freeware) - Monitors oversampling and comes with surround version. http://www.mzuther.de/en/software/kmeter/
Flux :: StereoToolV3 (freeware) - I use that for its Vector scope. But use it on other tracks for correcting pan. Great tool imo.
BlueCats Multi (paid) - best analyser on the market imo.
George Yohng's W1 Limiter (freeware) - Its a very simple limiter set the ceiling to -0.1dB and release to 1ms for no clipping http://www.yohng.com/software/w1limit.html


Master Out


This would be my go to template for any song and if I add other fx or master fx they are placed before all of them. I tried to find similar devices with RE but they didn't do the job as well. Always mastered outside of reason now that VST's are here it's inside of reason I'd say!

[QVprod]

I don't usually do full mixes in Reason, but for processing an instrumental

Tape Machine (Free Reaktor Ensemble)
Rob Papen RPEQ
KHz limiter

[darkmaer]

Slate and more slate.

Vcc, vbc, vtm

And I'll usually have waves manny triple d to help clean up some muffled freq I might have missed overall.

[Oquasec]

zwam lookin for plugs that work/don't.
found a good bit

[deepndark]

As VST support is true now: I have ReaXcomp multiband compressor in there and rest of them vary in every project.

[CephaloPod]

Still just use Ozone Maximizer RE. I have some T-Racks stuff, I might try that out on certain songs.

[chimp_spanner]

XFER OTT, depth at about 10-20 percent, bit of a bass boost. Brings all my mixes to life!! And it's free.

[CephaloPod]

XFER OTT, depth at about 10-20 percent, bit of a bass boost. Brings all my mixes to life!! And it's free.

I'll have to try that out, thanks.

[aeox]

EQ, Compression, Stereo Imager, Limiter. in that order

[xRwu8]

Thanks for all the info, this is great. I’ll definitely try out all the freeware Mac compatible ones, especially Xfer OTT which seems very popular here and elsewhere. I have Reaktor 5, so thanks for the Tape Machine ensemble tip, didn't know that existed. Barricade seems like a definite contender for purchasing.

The Slate stuff also looks really cool, but seems mainly to be used for subtle warmth/saturation during the mixing stage? Kind of like Sonimus Satson/Britson. Regardless I’ll eventually buy some or all of those, esp VTM.

Keep the chains coming!

[AttenuationHz]

EQ, Compression, Stereo Imager, Limiter. in that order

No VST's then

Still just use Ozone Maximizer RE. I have some T-Racks stuff, I might try that out on certain songs.

The RE version is no where near the same as VST version imo. I'm not too sure what version the RE version is based on but comparing the maximiser from ozone 5 to the RE version there is definite differences in transient recovery that is with transient recovery off on the VST version. When you squash the signal on both you hear more clarity with the VST version.

[aeox]

EQ, Compression, Stereo Imager, Limiter. in that order

No VST's then

Still just use Ozone Maximizer RE. I have some T-Racks stuff, I might try that out on certain songs.

The RE version is no where near the same as VST version imo. I'm not too sure what version the RE version is based on but comparing the maximiser from ozone 5 to the RE version there is definite differences in transient recovery that is with transient recovery off on the VST version. When you squash the signal on both you hear more clarity with the VST version.

VST limiter

[AttenuationHz]

VST limiter

Can't be more specific?!

[aeox]

VST limiter

Can't be more specific?!

i can but i figured the original poster was after effect chains, rather than specific plugins. i use Ozone Maximizer :]

[AttenuationHz]

VST limiter

Can't be more specific?!

i can but i figured the original poster was after effect chains, rather than specific plugins. i use Ozone Maximizer :]

[EnochLight]

I'm curious to hear what people are putting on their master bus these days

Softube TubeTech, Selig Gain, and a maximizer (I bounce between Ozone and Kuassa's Kratos 2). I meter loudness with the awesomely free Youlean Loudness Meter and VPS Scope for stereo phase and overall metering.

[Biolumin3sc3nt]

Metering and limiters aside - I love this lil Gem by Brainworx ( Plugin Alliance )