What is the BEST MASTERING PLUGIN?

[@Joe-mz6dc]

I would literally pay money to NOT have a stupid robot face staring at me as I'm trying to master my music.

[@SafelandingRecords]

@Frikoppie hahahaha

[@steppabanton9753]

😂 I don't wanna see any face on my plugin. Not even if It's CLA's.

[@younited8959]

Lollll

[@frabber321]

😅 damn that's one creepy robot

[@desdanova3685]

It's a scam. It just increases the level with a limiter to avoid saturation.

[@sancessounds]

Please make some more mastering start to finishes! Love your process and mindset

[@MaxSoggiu]

me too!!!

[@themotownboy1]

Of the three presented, I preferred the Exonic. That surprised me, but I thought it had the best overall result for loudness, volume, and dynamics. The Landr had the highs less prominent than the other two, but the eq can be adjusted. I find Ozone 11's AI results a bit too dramatic and need to be manually backed off. All of that said, I still prefer to be able to tweak any AI results if I feel it is needed. Yes, I would love it if Wytse did show us his mastering work flow. Great video!

[@RayTheProducer]

Great video as usual. My two cents: learn to mix. A mastering engineer doesn’t do as much as you might think. A great mix makes for a gold master. Otherwise, it’s just a shortcut; makeup even. Once you nail the levels, the overall tonal balance, and especially the bass/treble relationship, your master will sound good with nothing more than a simple compressor and EQ. It’s all about the basics.

[@Joe-mz6dc]

Best comment 👍🏻

[@axoplanet6081]

True. Nowadays, where you can allways go back to your mix in a DAW, it is not necessary to make a master the „old way“. A good mix and finish it with a little bit eq, comp and a limiter on the bus and it’s ready. Problems can allways get fixed in the mix today.

[@beatsandstuff]

Ice Ice Baby was mastered with only a limiter. So yes, the best "plug-in" for mastering is a good mix.

[@mikesrandomchannel]

Have to agree with this. Mix is the cake, mastering the icing. No amount of beautiful icing is going to save an undercooked cake…

[@jasper20000]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the new Logic Mastering Assistant.

[@axoplanet6081]

LANDR has the worst mastering service by far, sounds like sh*t. I mastered with Ozone, with plugins from different companies in a chain, I gave my material to a few mastering engineers and I sent one to LANDR. Best was, no surprise, the masters of the engineers. All different, but all good. Second was my mastering with different plugins in a chain (har-bal, fabfilter, uad fairchild…), next was Ozone and by far the worst was LANDR. It is like smashing a L2 on the master bus and crank it up.

[@jimhall5393]

I would be very interested to hear your opinions on the new Logic Pro Mastering module that now sits on the Stereo Bus of Logic 10.8.

[@sohncarter5281]

Ozone 11 is good.......but they seem to push all their new Modules to EVERY Mix.Show me a Mix-Suggestion that hasnt "Clarity" or Stabilizer in it.The Tools are great,but if you have a good Mix,you probably turn off 50% of the Modules.

[@B2svn465]

Honestly ozone has stepped up their game a lot

[@adampavelec857]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@FrikoppieYou mean, sold out, right?!? 😂 I think out of the provided examples, it would be the one I’d gravitate towards. But, I’d need to hear other genres to be Shure©!

[@Spark972]

Ozone : wider & cleaner / Landr : more low mid a bit masked / Exonic : too much highs I'd like the Ozone one with the low end of the Landr. 😅

[@sarvp1]

I would really like to understand your criteria in choosing plugins and hardware for mastering as well as the order in the mastering chain as I have already heard the demo songs published on your website and I really liked the results. So, please make a video about it, it will definitely be very useful for your entire community of followers

[@Ewoof]

Ozone 11 makes my tracks overcooked. The assistant is like oh I have all these plugins, let me use a lot of them at once. It’s wierd how overcooked it is supposed to be your starting point.

[@KeenanCrow]

Yeah I typically rip out everything except the EQ and the limiter. Very occasionally the imager.

[@choosers5177]

​@@therearenorulesherebecause you dont know how to combine theirs settings.

[@TheFoxOnStilts]

​@@choosers5177prly an ozone 9 user I bet. EQ is the only thing 9 can do right

[@Joe-mz6dc]

@choosers5177 snarky and judgmental comment. And you missed his point. He is agreeing with the original comment that the starting settings are too hot. Simple as that. Since they are too hot, it is easier to simply remove most of the settings and start adding them in one by one. That should not be the case.

[@choosers5177]

@Joe-mz6dc ozone is good for its ai mastering chain and tweaks for each channel strip. If you gonna do it mannually, then why not put all ozone plugins one by one in the mastering channel?

[@VagendaAdnegav]

I would love to see a shootout between: 1) IK Multimedia - Lurssen Mastering Console 2) TC Electronic - Finalizer 3) iZotope - Ozone 11 Advanced 4) Brainworx - bx_masterdesk 5) LANDR AI Mastering Plugin 6) Mathew Lane - DrMS 7) Exonic UK - AI Master 8) That mastering thing you had up on your own site Who else would like to see this? Anyone have other contenders?

[@VagendaAdnegav]

@Frikoppie Why not?

[@VagendaAdnegav]

​@Frikoppie Rather than tackle your ego myself, I instead asked the very technology you doubt what it thought of the things you had to say. Isn't it interesting that there even is a technology that can respond? Here is what AI had to say. "The person's critique raises several valid points about the limitations of AI, particularly in the context of physics simulations and understanding complex systems. However, their perspective might be somewhat overly pessimistic or one-sided. Let's consider their main points: AI and Inverse Dynamics: It's true that AI and machine learning models often struggle with inverse dynamics, especially when the underlying physical processes are complex and not well understood. AI models, especially those based on data-driven approaches, require a substantial amount of accurate data to make reliable predictions. Without a solid understanding of the underlying physics or sufficient data, these models can indeed be limited. Context and Underlying Principles: AI, particularly in its current state, does have limitations in understanding context and underlying principles. Machine learning models, including those in AI, typically learn from data rather than from first principles of physics. This means they can miss nuanced, context-specific interactions that are not well-represented in their training data. Limitations of Current AI Technologies: The person is correct in stating that current AI technologies have limitations, especially when it comes to complex, real-world problems like physics simulations. These limitations stem from various factors, including the quality and quantity of data, the complexity of the models, and the computational resources available. However, it's important to note that AI and machine learning are rapidly evolving fields. Researchers are continually developing new methods to overcome some of these limitations, such as incorporating physical laws directly into AI models (physics-informed neural networks, for example) or using hybrid approaches that combine data-driven methods with traditional physical modeling. In conclusion, while the person's critique correctly highlights some of the current limitations and challenges faced by AI in complex physics simulations, it may not fully account for the ongoing advancements in the field. AI's capabilities in these areas are not static, and there's potential for significant improvement as the technology develops."

[@sparella]

IK One

[@VagendaAdnegav]

@Frikoppie I let AI assess your opinion. How you think that I've said anything myself to you is beyond me. Good luck there. Frankly, you've literally got nothing to base any opinion of mine on. Just assumptions of your own. I haven't even tried to give you an opinion, so why do you think I'm even telling you something in the first place? I asked you why you don't use good tools. You basically said they were not good enough, stating reasons - AI among them. I let AI assess your reasoning and respond to it. I thought it was cool and shared that with you. I can't make it any more clear than that. I respect your opinion. I disagree with it.

[@VagendaAdnegav]

@Frikoppie This seems a great time to point out that I am not a licensed therapist. You good?

[@philippdrflr]

You didn‘t include Master Plan in the end comparison. Am I missing something?

[@timfunk2493]

TC Electronic Finalizer is a Great Mastering Plugin as well.

[@rorz999]

I thought they all sounded pretty good in the comparison. I've been using the Exonic one for close to 2 years now and it's staggering how much it improves with each version release. It's a great plugin and I think more people would give it a try if it wasn't for the jokey robot GUI

[@kadiummusic]

I wonder what would happen if you fed Ozone or LANDR the mix of Bohemian Rhapsody? Probably have a meltdown! On a serious note, a great test of these auto master plugins would be to feed in a non mastered classic 70's/80's hit and then compare it to the original. My gut feeling is these automated plugins produce satisfactory results with the already heavily compressed and equ'd songs of today but would struggle to keep the textures and dynamics unscathed if fed a classic hit song of long ago.

[@1aux]

I think Ozone is the only option that you can give the “vintage” style master. I wouldn’t be too sure how well it does it but the fact that it’s an option is pretty impressive

[@peterheyt5693]

Yes, thats a good one, thanks! The music they always use is not that hard to get it acceptable. But, rock, or other music with different dynamics is never used in these types of examples

[@mikesrandomchannel]

I’ve had nothing but disasters when trying to apply a gentle master to singer-songwriter stuff where there’s no bass or drums, for example. Then I tried Master Plan and my mind was blown ❤.

[@anissteevan6676]

I really like waves ARTG its too good and we can customize it the way we like

[@billpodolak7754]

Ozone 11 has three price points - the Elements version would be in the "Some control" category. Standard is also available with full control but a couple less modules and features than Advanced

[@naggelwauss]

I think LANDR sounds great

[@GTSongwriter]

On my Master Bus: Waves Audio SSL G-Master Buss Compressor (glue the mix), Ozone 10 Standard (I don't use the maximizer), Sonible Smart Limiter

[@vinylmastersgr1036]

Maximizer increases the loudness to distort awfully and makes hard bass and drums that remove detail of songs.

[@FransJCMartins]

Lursson mastering plug in sounds good.

[@Adam_Mokanszki]

Thank you, I think this is a good reference for my hobby projects. My sound is getting better but still I do not have it completely under control.

[@Tren.hegellian]

FL Studio’s native ai mastering is actually really good

[@kadiummusic]

And just remember folks... AI is just an industry hyped title for advanced software. It's NOT fairydust and it isn't The Force. 😎

[@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY]

My mastering chain is all in the box: Kush Audio q632 --> Plugin Alliance AMEK Mastering Compressor --> Acustica Audio Pumpkin PRO --> Acustica Audio JAM --> StageOne 2 --> Acustica Audio ASH ULTRA (in Limiter mode) --> Sonimus N-Console --> Plugin Alliance MetricAB

[@JCook]

Master Plan is amazing, definitely one of the best sounding units. Also, JST Maximizer is really good. Both of which aren’t AI but they’re great “Mastering” suits if you like having control.

[@DaveLennonCopeland]

Isn't it somewhat subjective? I've been using the Lurssen Mastering Console (stand-alone) for a while now and like it. I might sometimes open up LandR or even MazTr to get a quick free master to give me a reference kinda thing.

[@Simeon_Harris]

i was really surprised by how good lurssen is. i tested it against a master i had done myself and they were really close....almost scarily close. the lack of any decent metering is the biggest flaw with it though. best to use the plugin version in your daw followed up by a good metering plugin, so you can gauge your loudness levels.

[@DaveLennonCopeland]

@@Simeon_Harris Hmm... I agree that the lack of metering is not good, but that can easily be remedied by using either meter plugins (stand-alone) or by routing the signal through your desk to get the VU value. 😃

[@muzungu111]

Not watched yet (I will watch home) but Ozone 11 is gamechanger. I love it

[@baldmanmusicproductions1131]

LANDR

[@KyleBevis-u7j]

During the a, b, c: I could hear subtle differences whilst watching the screens change, but when I closed my eyes I couldn’t even tell when the switch was happening 🥴🤷‍♂️🙃 That said, I’d probably buy ozone because I’m an idiot who enjoys making his life more complicated.

[@negvey]

A.I robot one actually has a lot of flavor, it's like the other ones "should" sound good but the robot one has something of too much but that too much actually sounds nice

[@unc1589]

Guys. My advice… Buy em all! Take your time stretch it out. You can get all the main ones for less than $1200. (Hopefully there’s a way to make the robot disappear! Because that plugin is smooth and perfect for some applications.) If you’re gonna be in the game then be in the game all the way. Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. Darude probably has one EQ that costs more than all these plugins combined. Get em all. If you can’t afford to then this may not be the thing for you. We have $1200 cell phones. Like I mean six graders. I never had Gullfoss so this Black Friday, I bought it. Just for kicks. Now I have it. Take your time and get a bunch. There is no king mastering plugin.

[@jvf6257]

Screw with all this mastering AI, it’s horrible so fake most of them hurts your ears zero vibe, prefer to make it on my own and enjoy the process, that’s the fun part, plus being doing it for 30 years and every time end up blowing away those AI Fake Masters 😂

[@kadiummusic]

Don't worry LANDR... spatial audio is already dead and buried. 😄

[@dja.d]

Really enjoying your content at the moment, im checking regularly. Keep up the good work!

[@Adam-g-uk]

Ozone definitely sounds more open...probably better suited for jungle/dnb....

[@ronrutan]

Lurssen from IK does a pretty good job if you're just starin out. Has presets that you can then tweak

[@duboracle]

Non at all. I remastered nothing for my vinyl cutting process. And the loudnesswar is a commercial myth !

[@sparella]

The loudness war is certainly a statistically proven reality, but it's over because Dan Worrall won it.

[@maurodimario1423]

no audio compare for musichack and mastermind ??? and no consider bx master desk tmt and Pro one...why ??

[@Lubasil]

This music is very reminiscent of "Nu Shooz - I can't Wait" from 1985 😉

[@TropicIslandMusic]

Landr was the only one adding nice thick sub frequencies - obs auto mode but prob Ozone is very tweakable

[@felixftp9670]

The best Mastering Plugin is your brain. Still using today EQ, multiband compression, little bit glue compression, saturation sometimes ds of harshness and then into limiter. That's fine for me.

[@TheLotionInTheBasket]

my vote goes to landr

[@djGreenALERT]

To my ears, Ozone was clearly the best there. Landr had no top end and Exonic was lacking definition in the 40 to 80hz range, but I wouldn't use any of those anyway.

[@lukassbeataddicts]

Listening on shit speakers Ozone killed the other two. I could hear much more detail. Always listen to your master on shit speakers guys. lol

[@erestube]

For me LANDR warmest on upbeat section. Fullest on quiet section. Exonic punchiest on upbeat section. Fizzled out on quieter section. Ozone thinnest overall. For my setup, I would go for LANDR if I couldn't outdo it on my own.

[@davespicer2143]

Am I the only one that really dislikes the sound of Ozone? It cheapens everything you put through it. The results always sound over processed with horrible definition.

[@scole402]

I would love to see how you master music using analog gear! Super interesting, thanks for this video :D

[@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY]

IDC. Plugins are so good now that you don't need OTB mastering. IJS (bka I'm just saying).

[@scole402]

Okay I didn't even catch half of the abbreviations you used in that comment but I think I understand the point you're trying to get across! @@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY I absolutely agree! If you -needed- outboard gear there would be no initiative for developers to enable u to apply effects to the "master" track in ur preferred software :D

[@lance134679]

The main reason I wouldn't use the AI Master is that robot creeps me out. 😨

[@axelmaldini4218]

😂

[@easyvelvet77]

Just a big Thanks for all you do! Definitely a big fan... 😍

[@Bluelagoonstudios]

I'm the same as you, and using my ears and different chains, analog and digital. On the way you learn about music, what I miss with these kinds of plugins. It becomes not personal anymore, everybody has a signature sound, which AI can't replace, IMO.

[@rexhialiaj3075]

Logic pro Mastering is amazing

[@Janomix]

But the AI still can't achieve the -5db LUFS from Guetta, Tiesto or Skrillex. Thank you!

[@woodywillchange]

i think it kinda shouldn't do it, cause not anything will sound good in -5 lufs, and there are some people who don't tweak ozone, so in this case there might be -5 lufs masters in music that should have lower lufs i hope you get what i mean, english is not really my native language

[@GLENNKEARNEY1]

Nice

[@damelos4039]

Great video. Perfect way to present the different options. I learned a few things (about myself) and the fact that I don't need all that control because I don't know what the f*ck I'm doing. LOL Thanks man.

[@isaacgonzalezdiaz]

esta "música" mmm... no la considero apropiada para mostrar las posibilidades de un plugin....

[@ryde2012]

I love ozone 11, ozone 10 s a bit warmer on the auto master however ozone 11 is a bit clearer

[@patricknarcisse5550]

I'd be curious about your thoughts on BX_Masterdesk Pro

[@chrisknight2036]

I say it has too much control - I get better less ‘processed’ results with Masterdesk True Peak version, and think the pro version is just a trick to tempt you to upgrade and get more cash out of you - in my opinion not as warm or analogue sounding as it’s predecessor - depends what styles you are mastering and what you want to achieve - you still need a good mix! - I’ve purchased Ozone 11 advanced for a good loyalty price in Black Friday deal to try out because I like to fiddle and tweak - but on a very tight budget I was happy with results 😮I was getting from Waves SSL buss compressor, the free JetMix two band mastering eq from Acoustica with oversampling set to 8x or 16x, and Masterdesk true peak last in the chain on the master bus and getting compliments from others 🙂

[@Mista808]

Why did I hear a huge difference between LANDR and Exonic compared to Ozone 11 earlier in this same video but when you show the comparisons later in the video at 8:10 I literally could not hear any difference between the different versions?

[@dbeduch]

Provavelmente ele nivelou os volumes.

[@mavinapril1303]

I think HWMC by Acustica audio is by far the best mastering plugin on the planet.

[@p0dlyryszard]

❤ that you went back to the classic “let’s get started” opening. This one rules

[@bartconinckx]

I'm using Ozone 10 as it is a part of Komplete Ultimate, but I find it to always make my music very bright and sparkly. that would be great for pop music, but I produce heavy and dark industrial music. I am aware it can be tweaked however, so basically that's what I then do.

[@markvmmm]

I've also noticed that most of the ai plugins remove the midrange and boost high frequencies like crazy

[@robbiemichaels2347]

Try version 11 - massive improvement

[@CampbellDownie]

It changes all the time for me, but recently the SSL fusion plugins have been in my mastering chain; slight tweaks from each, but also Fabfilter MB and Fabfilter L1 - but it changes depending on the music; I find Ozone can be a bit bright sometimes but of course very very tweakable.

[@DavidPixleythemuzzlZ]

By the looks of it, ozone 11 is waaaay more badass than ozone 8 or whatever I had, back in 2018...

[@MrJazzguitar2]

What's your review of new Logic Pro Mastering ?...

[@ryanolson3918]

Would love to see your mastering chain in action!!

[@craigstewartmusic]

Lurssen. Not a lot of control but always sounds good.

[@lofimat3856]

Witzeee sss MASTERinG CHaiN!! Pleeezeeeeee Jaaa!!!

[@i_jetlag]

What are your thoughts on Virtu by Slate Digital?

[@mocheford]

I went for the ozone 11 as I was quite satisfied with ozone 9. It is truely enough at my mixing level for rock / neo metal music.

[@jean-philippematte3701]

My go to is definitely Ozone advanced, currently using version 10 and 9 (especially 9 because of the standalone software feature wich reduces a lot of cpu usage)

[@vinnien]

I think the new mastering assistant in Logic is amazing.

[@DJVasC]

And comes free with the DAW

[@dr.noname6602]

landr has a tighter very low end

[@juanmolina4926]

I would really like to hear your thoughts on the new Waves AI auto mastering

[@lortakeover2129]

Ozone sound better

[@aritrachoudhury8533]

i bought psp vintage warmer2 yesterday. it's over 20 year old plugin. was looking for your review but couldn't find it

[@mikaelsjodin1963]

It´s old but very good indeed.

[@VForsaken]

That grooving white robot scares me

[@biomechanism1]

I dont know bro I just click Ozone and done

[@Ra_Sharpness_]

Weiss stuff or just the good ole fl studio maximus

[@KennyHayesRebound]

My master bus processing: Cymtomic The Glue UAD Chandler Ltd Curve Bender Dadalife Sausage Fattner MusikHack Masterplan

[@svenson745]

Exonic sounds thin to me, Landr a little dull and Ozone a little too bright. So IMHO it's always preferable to have as much control as possible over every aspect in the process of mastering. Even more when the mix is far away from being perfect (whatever that means, dependent on the aim) and it's difficult or impossible to fix it in the mix.

[@josrud8939]

LANDR mastering plugin sounds balanced and full and is the best to my opinion.

[@rolavzn]

not even close

[@donnas8408]

Ozone 11 sounded best

[@jacksolarmusicmastering]

Anyone saying ozone isn't the best don't know how to use it or just don't wanna admit it lmao, there i said it

[@TeleporterM11]

LANDR is the best.

[@Wizardofvoz2]

Ozone. Hands down.

[@Brutuscomedy]

I've become a believer in doing the heavy lifting during mixing. Ideally one only needs to shave off (or limit) peaks of the audio signal. If you spend so much time getting the EQ and everything else right in the mix, why alter that during mastering? I will add the following: mix:analog was the answer I was looking for. While digital limiters sound different and that matters, bouncing mixes to real tape imparts an even bigger, more pleasant improvement. I love how they have two different machines. Bouncing with the Telefunken, digitally EQing that if need be, then bouncing with the Studer, and finally slapping Voxengo Elephant on can work really well. Ya just have to hit the tape (and AD converters for clipping) right. Initially my third attempt with the Telefunken was best.

[@jetxee]

HoRNet Mastertool

[@Beelzybud]

Listening on crap TV speakers, I liked the Ozone best.

[@GabePlaysYT]

While I don't really like the workflow so much because it's a separate app and not a plugin, TC Electronics Finalizer app sounds REALLY good

[@Slope114]

My favorite KZbin! Thank you! I feel like I can trust your opinion which is rare via YT these days!

[@bitspacemusic]

You can do all of this with Ableton Live's own effects, compressors and EQs.

[@acikacika]

The way that android is looking back at you after he mastered the track is the funniest fucking meme ever! I am dying laughing.

[@EtherealDawnOfficial]

Love Landr!

[@DavidPixleythemuzzlZ]

The other two were pretty close to ozone 11 otb, but I was only listening on android speakers so HAH!

[@ChrisGSimmons]

I run my songs through Ozone 11 just to compare them to your masters. Your masters ALWAYS sound 1000000000% times better.

[@thewedge8823]

I would stick to Fabfilter. All my colleagues who sign and make huge records use it, in my field which is dance/club music. Not saying you can't use others, but if fabfilter is good enough for those huge records, then it's def good enough for me.

[@ophrys9123]

Yes I want see a master session

[@bobs1647]

The one thing noticeable in the ending shootout between the 3 apps is that the 2 AI only/mostly apps are very bass heavy and not balanced from low end to high. The ozone rendering was noticeably more balanced and sounded cleaner overall... One pleasant surprise that was IMMEDIATELY noticeable as well is none of these apps, AI or otherwise, seemed to subscribe to the mantra of "louder is better, mashed to the ceiling of +2vu, 0vu, -1vu, etc, while maintaining virtually 0 db of dynamic range overall".... They all left the mix with a bit of breathing room to preserve nuance and not sound like a pile driver. CHEERS for that!

[@DavidPixleythemuzzlZ]

Yes please, share your standard types of mastering chains, but focusing mainly on what you'd do if you ONLY had the softwares.