Auto Audio mastering System (AAMS)

Just wanted to give this thread a bump, since it's apparently been greeted by yawns.
 
I'd tried this out (version 1) a few years ago, and although I wasn't exactly blown away, I have to say that it gets results at least comparable to LANDR, but with GOBS more helpful information provided.
 
Spurred by Mike's post, I've re-downloaded the free version, which is now at version 3. There have been many UI improvements since I last looked at it, but it still does not score highly in terms of user-friendliness. 
 
One downside is that it's still agonizingly slow. A file analysis on a 104 MB 32-bit wave file took about 5 minutes. I meant to just let it analyzing an existing (gently mastered) file, but inadvertently let AAMS auto-master it instead. This took awhile, but I now see why. It included a "conversion" step, saying it was converting it to a 32-bit file (from what? I thought...the source file was already 32 bits). When I looked in the folder, it had left me 3 versions of the file: MP3 (192 kb/s), 16-bit and 32-bit.
 
Then I was given a report that compared my master against a generic "progressive rock" reference (one of 700 [!] references provided) and multiple reports showing what it had done. The good news is that AAMS chose very subtle changes, which is what you'd hope for on an already-mastered file. Like LANDR, you can't specify a LUFS target.
 
A/Bing the original and AAMS versions, there wasn't a huge difference between them. This I interpret as a good thing. The auto-mastered version was a little louder (-14.5 ave. RMS vs -16 db) and slightly brighter. The overall song dynamics were preserved and the bass wasn't hyped. All in all, perfectly acceptable results, using only default options. 
 
What's nice about this software is that you don't have to use it to actually do your mastering, but rather to perform an analysis, let it report what it thinks you need to do, and then do it yourself. Or not.
 
The free version lacks a few controls (e.g. file conversion), but is quite usable. The full version is $71.50 and you can demo it.

Thinking about buying this...

I'm really liking what I'm hearing so far with AAMS. The depth of this program is very impressive. Every song I've run through it so far has sounded better and smoother after AAMS. I'm very close to purchasing.

mikedocy
It made my songs too bright.
Perhaps I hadn't worked with it enough to get the full benefit.

See, it took some of the brightness out for me, in a good way. It must have been the reference file I used.

mikedocy
He needs someone to help with his English since it is not his first language. :-)

Yeah, I noticed that, too.

I purchased the full version today. Just waiting on the key code. Can't wait to try it out.

mikedocy

 
What reference file name did you use, if you don't mind telling?
Cool about the purchase. Let us know how you like it.
Thanks.
 
 

I only messed with one song since getting the key code, so I don't have much to report yet, except that I'm glad I bought the license. Thank you for creating this thread, Mike. I would have never discovered AAMS by myself. The reference file I used was in the Rock folder. It had 1990-2015 in the title. Admittedly, I didn't audition many reference files, so I'm sure there are more suitable ones for my music. I like how you can create your own. I made one from a Soundgarden song I really like the sound of, and used it on one of mine. Very cool program. There are so many things you can do with AAMS. I haven't even scratched the surface!

This (since it's not on any BF sale) will be on my list to get in February.
 

I've come back to this, as I am having to "master" 4 albums ASAP.  It turns out that AAMS in auto-mode can sometimes do a good job of sorts, and other times create a real turd.  AAMS seems to do a good job balancing R/L, applying a reasonable loudness boost, and at applying the type of gentle compression you'd might expect from mastering.  Its weakness seems to be in applying EQ hit or miss; however, it does give you some insight into how the EQ of your raw mix might benefit from some changes.  Bottom line is that you have to play around with the EQ and use your EARS.
 
As I can't remember all the steps, I had to make myself a "How To" below.  This is relevant to version 2.5.
 

1. Note:  Running AAMS manually does not generate a “mastering report” like it does in automatic mode.  If you want (for some reason) to have a record of what you have done to the mix, you will have to keep notes or screen shots.  
2. Copy wav file(s) to master to the “C:\Program Files (x86)\AAMS\AAMS Files\Sources” directory.  This eases process immensely.
3. Create AAM file from your mix.  Select the "Analyzer" tab, and depress the "Analyze Single Audio File".  (Or you can do a batch as well, as this process takes several minutes per song.)  You can also take a professionally mastered song and "analyze" that to make an .aam file, then copy that into the “C:\Program Files (x86)\AAMS\AAMS Files\References” directory.
4. Select the "Source" tab, and load the Step 3 AAM as source.  Select the "Reference" tab and load any Reference, it doesn't matter which at this point.
5. AAMS provides some tools to help identify an appropriate EQ; however, these tools are not relevant until you have selected a final EQ/reference/tweak.  
   1. The "Spectrum" tab allows you to view EQ diff between source and chosen ref.
   2. The ‘Suggestions’ tab allows you to examine Parametric, Graphic and Compressor suggestions based on differences between source.aam and reference.aam(s). 
6. Click on DSP_EQ, click on “Settings” and choose the 25 band EQ, which is easiest to deal with since it all sits on one screen.  The 50 band EQ sits on 2 screens, and will add an 18 Hz slider which can be problematical (and according to me should always remain at zero or slightly negative).  Higher number of bands can cause phase problems.
   1. Load wav file as source. 
   2. Evaluate with Play and EQ On/Off button.  Evaluate various Reference choices by selecting Reference tab, selecting alternative reference, and depress “Load as Reference” button. 
   3. Sliders are “live” so you can override suggested EQ. 
   4. Changes and alternate refs can be evaluated while song is playing; however you may have to “Reset All” if faders don’t move.
   5. When satisfied with EQ, make sure “EQ On” is displayed, and depress the “0 db” button to reset levels.  You must then play entire wav end to end to allow AGC to adjust levels to avoid clipping.  The negative numbers below the meter shows the reduction in level.
   6. When satisfied, export _EQ.wav file by hitting red record button on the transport.
7. Click on DSP_Compressor tab, clicking on “Settings” and choose 8 band compressor.
   1. Load _EQ file created in previous step as source.  The file will play and “Hunting” will be displayed.  All LEDs should go green including ‘Correct’.  If all do not go green, try “Offline AC Hunting” and/or reload the _EQ file second time. 
   2. Make sure all the rows under the “AC Data” tab indicate “OK+”.
   3. If all LEDs cannot be made to turn green, change to 6 band.
   4. Depress the red record button on the transport to output _EQ_C.wav file.
8. Click on DSP_Loudness. 
   1. Under “Settings” tab select desired “Loudness” target. "Maximal Loudness Boost 2" winds up being around -14 db average RMS which seems OK loudness/dynamic range.
   2. Load _EQ_C.wav file as source. 
   3. Click “Auto Record DSP Loudness” which will create a blanced L/R file named _EQ_C_B.wav, followed by the final loudness file _EQ_C_B_L.wav.  This latter file is the final Master.

 

Pro for AAMS is that it helps identify the error in your EQ and suggests how to correct it.  It also (as stated above) does a seemingly good job on compression and loudness.
 
Izotope allows more ways to effect the final master with stereo widening, exciter, etc.  I've used Izotope and I guess because I am not a professionally trained mastering engineer, nor have the facilities nor the room, I've screwed up any number of mixes by over applying this and that.