I am on a mission to find a program to replace "CD Architect".
My requirement is to be able to sequence songs for a CD, to be able to adjust/edit the tops and tails, to be able to use separate vst effects on individual songs, to be able to reload a new version of a song without having to redo the tops and tails or vst effects.
 
Question 1:
My first candidate is Ozone 7 Advanced. I am trying the demo, stand alone version.
1. Is there a way to zoom the waveform display so I can set the start and stop points accurately?
2. Is there a way to replace an existing song with a new mix of the song without having to redo the tops and tails and vst?
 
Question 2:
Anybody have a suggestion for a program that can fulfill my requirements listed above?
 
Thanks!
 

Rather than looking for a mastering program that does sequencing well, the alternative is to assemble your album in a SONAR project. That'll let you precisely set gaps, match volume, align beats from the end of one song to the beginning of the next, or do gapless crossfades. Export the whole thing to one big 16-bit wave file. From there, any generic CD-authoring software can set the index markers before burning.
 
Ozone is a great option for mastering, but I'm not a fan of the standalone version. I'd rather use it as a plug-in. Even though it's resource-intensive, you can still insert a separate instance for each song in your album because it'll be the only effect in your mastering project.
 
My preferred method is to load each song into a single track, back-to-back. You can then insert Ozone as a clip effect and master each song separately. If 13 instances of Ozone is too much for your computer, Ozone Advanced lets you load just the modules you need, as individual effects. You may only need the Maximizer. I also tend to use Pro-Q instead of Ozone's EQ because it's light on CPU.
 
Route that track to a Master bus and put any effects all songs have in common (such as a sub-bass filter) there.

Wavelab Elements is perfect for that.

mgh
Wavelab Elements is perfect for that.

What mgh said.
+1

MAGIX Audio & Music Lab Premium might be what you are looking for. It does support 3rd party plugins, 32-bits only, though.

Studio One

Studio One does this extremely well.  You would be paying for a full DAW program to only use one element of it, but it is much easier and better in Studio One to do what you want than doing the Sonar version that Bit mentioned.    I threw down the money for Studio One just for the capability you are looking for and have not regretted it.

Another vote here for the Studio One project page. It will do exactly what you want. I've seen the pro version 3 go for as cheap as 150.00 online, and usually around 200.00 for used copies.

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions.
I have been watching the Studio One videos and along with your recommendations will purchase Studio One Pro just for the purpose of mastering without having to redo everything every time the mix changes. :-)
Presonus has a special crossgrade happening now and I am already approved by Presonus from my ProTools card.
I will follow ccLarry's suggestion of getting it for "$209.96 with code GROUP at JRRShop...".
 
@bitflipper, Thanks for taking the time to suggest an alternate method. I appreciate it.
I am trying to work "smart". I have wasted so much time re-mastering every time the guitar player records a new solo or the singer re-sings his part. :-)
I have some $$ saved for this purpose so I'm all for purchasing something that will ease my job and save time.
 
@mgh, @SF_Green, Thanks for the suggestion. After looking into WaveLab it has become my second choice.
I would have never even considered WaveLab without your suggestions. I may pick up the lite version "Elements"
at a later date. It looks like a great program.
 
@Soundwise, Thanks for the suggestion. As you mentioned, it is 32 bit so that makes it a "no go".
I have owned Sony SoundForge Pro and CD Architect for years and the latest versions are still 32 bit!
CD Architect only supports DX plug-ins, no vst, no asio support!
I have used the built-in CD authoring in SoundForge Pro but it is clumsy to work with (IMO).
 
 
 
 

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