Mastering in X1

Yes, I know the topic has been raised, and I've used search, but I found the existing threads to be a bit lacking. What I'm interested in is the native capability of X1 to do mastering.

Whenever I see a thread on the topic, people pile on and suggest using Waves or Izotope or other dedicated products, which I'm sure are the way to go. But for the hobbyist-cheapskate, Cake does advertise a page somewhere on the site going into mastering capabilities of X1, though IIRC, it was not very in depth.

Obvious Boost11 could be on the list, and the multi-band compressor, but I noticed CW touting Vintage Channel and a few others. Has anyone tried those, and maybe can post a X1-only chain as a starting point?     

If I got my arm twisted and had to master something using Cake specific plugs....this would be my chain.

1. LP-64 Eq: Really nice slope and sound for high passing and low passing....as well as sculpting frequencies in between.

2. Sonitus Eq: What can I say...in my opinion, this is one of the most under-rated eq's of all time. It just works and gives you plenty of options.

3. LP-64 Multiband: When we create our eq curve above, we'll most likely create additional peaks and valleys. We want those to be controlled a bit. A good Multiband does wonders here as it will compress those little peaks and valleys in the event you do like them to be a bit more broad sounding....yet you want to put a few "caps" on them so to speak so they don't lash out.

4. Vintage Channel, Sonitus compressor or 4k bus compressor: Either of these will work in this spot. The reason for this is to tighen up all we did above as an entity. The Vintage Channel is going to alter the tone if you allow it to. This is one of the cool things about this processor. It gives you a certain coloration that the other 2 I mentioned will not give you. That said, it will be up to you to choose what will best suit your needs and the project you are working on.

5. Boost 11: Unfortunately, I just don't like this plug...but I can get it to work and do a decent job. This finalizes the mix, makes it louder and controls the transient peaks so that you don't get distortion when you make the mix louder. It limits the mix from going all over the place. The object of this plug is to use it moderation and not squash anything with it. The more you push this plug, the more is seems to get a little nasty sounding and brittle to my ears.

So if I had to master something using Cake stuff only, that's where I'd start as well as the order I'd use. I prefer to use other plugs to do these jobs...however, the LP-64 Eq is finding its way onto my mastered material these days due to its transparency, high pass, low pass and what you can do in between. Good luck in whatever you decide. :)

-Danny