Mastering Software buying advice.

I imagine I'm opening up a big can of worms on this one...  Do any of you have a Mastering Plug-in/Suite that you like?  Can I get more than I can get out of the built in plug-ins?
 
A little bit about me:
I'm fairly new to Sonar and having a home studio.  I've been doing a lot of different types of projects and using the built in Sonar plug-ins to master my tracks.  Most of these projects will never be commercially available and are only for me and my friends.  These projects range from acoustic with vocals - to classical/orchestral midi arrangements - to full-out synth funk.  
 
I read a book about Desktop mastering and the author used Waves.  He did, however, say that you could use any similar plug-ins and it appears that I have a very similar chain with Sonar plug-ins (i.e. Multiband Compressor, Parametric EQ, Stereo Imager, Boost).  
 
Just wondering if it would be worth the money to invest in something like this and if it was reasonably priced.  $500 would be a possibility if it would take my sound to the next level - but I don't want to just throw money like that around.  Anyone have the Waves Gold Bundle? 
 
Thanks for your input!  Any advice/perspective is appreciated.
 
 
 
 

You might look at it two ways:
 
1) You are interested in Mastering as fast as possible, and you don't care how much money you spend, so perhaps some sort of all-in-one Mastering suite will provide some benefit with regards to time efficiency.
 
2) You are interested in learning about the craft of mastering, and you don't care how little money you spend, so while an all-in-one Mastering suite may provide you with an opportunity for experience, you also have the choice of learning the craft of using a wide variety of plugins, like the plugins you already own, by assembling your own chains of effects. This will give you an opportunity to enjoy a richer and deeper learning experience.
 
You can look at it other ways too.
 
I have found that, for me, using my own chains doesn't seem slow. I have found that listening to your work takes a lot more time than making a small adjustment to a parameter.
 
Have fun!
 
 

Quick and dirty, EZmix 2. Their Mastering II was just on sale and may still be. I picked up EZmix 2 for $29 dollars and the Mastering II pack for $14. Can't beat that if you like ready-mix masters. I also have Ozone 5. I use presets as starting points and tweak from there. Presets to me always seem very over the top sounding. To me, mastering should be a very subtle improvement over what you already have in the mix process. If you want to get your hands dirty and really learn what mastering is about, Ozone's the ticket.
I must say, if you have all the Sonar plugins to do it, you can get just as good if not better results with the Sonar plugs as any of the all in one suites out there. The main Sonar plug you need for mastering is the Concrete Limiter! Boost 11 works but is rather finicky when you hit it hard. I have turned out many projects that were mastered with just included plugins in Sonar. No one could ever tell the difference.

lawajava

kakku
The Ozone 6 from Izotope could be a great choice. It is 249$. Their mix and master bundle is 349$ atm.

+1 This is a really good way to go for answering the original question.

Yes, well you see I am not any kind of mastering guru so I thought that it would be a good idea to approach the topic from a standpoint that is easier and that standpoint was this recommendation of a good product. I first meant to say that expensive mastering tools are not absolutely necessary and that there are many free alternatives, but I was worried my answer would be ridiculed. My fear was probably ungrounded...

Love this forum!  Lots of good advice.
 
I'm interested in learning the craft and not necessarily looking for the fastest/easiest tool.  My projects are sounding really good with the plug-ins that were included in Sonar X3 Producer - but they aren't there yet.  I've read a few books and am constantly playing and testing (which is a lot of fun!).  I was just wondering if I would ever be able to get there with the tools I have.
 
To make an analogy (this situation got me thinking about researching mastering tools) - I just helped someone put up a bunch of drywall in their basement.  He did not have different size palette knives and so we did the best we could.  Although we "got the job done" it was no where near as refined or looked as good as it would have had we had the correct tools.  
 
But I think I got my answer.  I would not be buying the "advanced" version - only the $250 regular version.  Seemed like a reasonable amount of money for those tools.  I see they have a demo!  I might try that.
 
Thanks to everyone for steering me away from Waves - I think I might have been suckered down that road... 

If you are going for ozone, groove 3 has produced an ozone 6 video. You might also consider t-racks series by ikmultimedia. I am using t-racks deluxe with a few more extra plugins. The group buy is still going on till the end of this month where you can buy one and get 4 free. You can check out this forum under the deal section. My favourite t-racks tools for mastering is eq432, 670 compressor, bus compressor, soft clipper and breakwall limiter. I also use waves l1 ultramaximizer after t-racks to add 1-2 db. Btw I am a hobbyist.

After all this talk about mastering software, I guess I should take a look at what is available for free or perhaps try some software included in the x1.

You know...  I just downloaded the trial version of Ozone 6.  I think they must leave the magic fairy dust out of the trial version 
 
After trying a bunch of presets and then digging in deep - the quality is comparable to what I got using the Sonar x3 plug-ins.  Perhaps a bit 'easier', but not enough to justify the money.  
 
I'll keep playing with it for 10 more days and see if I feel any differently once I learn a little bit more.
 
 

Mastering Software .... well !

Why don't you try out, AirEQ by Eosis and the Slate Digital VMR
those are great combos for mixing, as well for mastering.
Revival, can you get for free..
An stereo width plugin, A1StereoControl can also be useful if needed.
then a limiter of your choice, at the final stage.

All manual work, and no autopilot 

Since we are on the topic of mastering, I had just picked up computer music magazine issue January 2015. The main article is on mastering with videos of mastering engineer john paul Braddock and a review of ozone 6.

I need that issue!! I really need it!!!????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mikebeam,
              Ozone 6 is given 10/10. It says Ozone 6 Advanced version rules and the standard version is an absolute bargain. It also mention other alternative products are IKmultimedia T-Racks grand and Flux Mastering Pack1.1.  

Don't buy the advanced version for the dynamic EQ...buy it for the fun pictures and individual plugins. Or just get the standard edition and snag MDynamicEQ the next time it goes on sale for $42.

Thanks! It works better when you set it up yourself. I have a few "setup" presets made that work wonders. My best advice for Limiter No.6...start by aiming for 1/2 to 1db of gain reduction for each module. There is also a new skin available with a Russian theme, made by someone at KVR, which Vlad has put in the new downloads. https://vladgsound.wordpress.com/downloads/