pdlstl

Digital sausage...

Highly unlikely, as the track is from 1996...   serious analog gain perhaps

I've owned TRacks for years and it's a good product.  I've also demo'd Ozone 4 for a while and liked many features in it.  It offers a few more features for mastering than most other progs.  PSP Vintage Warmer is popular also in the mastering chain with many nice presets offered.  TRacks offers many preset styles... for a beginner, you can select different presets until you get the sound you want, and you're done, but...
You may want to read about Bob Katz and his K system as part of your learning.  He covers what these guys above are talking about.  I do a mix of rock and electronic. I use TRacks, BSB, and X2 plugs in X2 to master my current mixes.  The mixes aren't usually limited and the RMS is about 18-14 with peaks about -3-6 db.  Then I render the mix and use generally the same mastering chain with some tweaks for the album to bring it up to a peak RMS of around 12 with transients limiting at -.3 for my masters.  Using the same mastering chain gives the mixes 'some' uniformity.

Linear Phase

pdlstl

Digital sausage...

Highly unlikely, as the track is from 1996...   serious analog gain perhaps

Nah, digital sausage is just a name for this type of very ugly waveform.

Steven Slate FG-X is incredible for end point gain maximization as well as inducing clear transients. Better IMO than waves l3 or Ozone 5.

Integra2112


Steven Slate FG-X is incredible for end point gain maximization as well as inducing clear transients. Better IMO than waves l3 or Ozone 5.

Yep, this is what I use.

JWH-     Just putting in my two cents worth for Ozone 5.  It comes with MANY highly useful and musical presets (which I use as starting points).  You can go from good to great in a matter of minutes once you become familiar with the modules... which are not all that complicated.  But do check out the (well named) presets to start with.  Once you do become proficient with the mastering modules, you will find yourself spending much more time perfecting your craft/mixes. 

Sorry to post about the topic, but...With the improved LPEQ, the compressor of your choice and the free Limiter no.6 I'm very happy with my mastering tools. Now my mastering ability is a whole different problem! hahaha.

  I use Ozone which is absolutely amazing. Great UI and fantastic sound. I find its best not to let Ozone do all the leg work though. I normally use some light compression on the way into the mains bus where Ozone goes. This helps remove any peaky transients before Ozone has to deal with it, giving a more uniform sound. Also - use volume envelopes to even the sound out.