Leadfoot
See, it took some of the brightness out for me, in a good way. It must have been the reference file I used.
I purchased the full version today. Just waiting on the key code. Can't wait to try it out.

 
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.
 
 

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!

I have gone to great lengths to self-master my various CDs out there in the void.  I have had AAMS for a number of years but never used it because I didn't understand how to use it ... because I never read the manual.  Duh. 
 
So, anyway, being bored, I read the manual couple times and watched the videos.  Listening to what it does against the various "references" it seemed that the "modern.aam" reference worked best for my stuff.  Choosing to use the 50 band EQ and 8 band compression, I fed it a few of my already "mastered" mixes and was very pleased.  Once I looked at what it had done to the EQ, I saw that I did have a bit too much low end in some of my tunes, etc.  Bottom line is that I agreed with what AAMS was showing me as deficiencies in my technique, and that the result sounded better than it did before processing.  So I'm kinda blown away I've had this and never gave it a try.
 
For example on my self-mastered song "Always Me", all of the EQ bands consisted of tweaks in the 1 - 2 db +/- range which seemed to indicate that I had generally done a fairly good job, and that AAMS was not going EQ-batsh*t.  However, it did choose a 3.7 boost at 56 Hz and a 4 db cut at 103.  So I listened closely to the 2 versions, and I had to admit that the AAMS version had a cleaner sounding low end, and that the kick stood out tighter and more clear.  The compression across the 8 bands was a gentle 2:1 with 1 to 3 db compress which is what you might expect from mastering.
 
I helped construct a million dollar studio (that immediately went bankrupt), and have been recording more years than I would care to admit.  I've treated my room to handle early reflections, and have bass traps in the rear corners.  I have sophisticated and costly plug-ins.  I've studied to make myself better at what I do.  Both me and my wife (who has perfectly flat 20 to 20,000 hearing) think that AAMS re-masters of my masters sound better than my masters.  Damn.

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

Hey Greg...
 
Was that stuff in your first link mastered with AAMS?
 

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.

 

I wonder how it compares to Izotope's Ozone?

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.