Thanks Mike - That's almost exactly what I'm doing so I think I'm probably on the right track.  I've been using that Blue Tubes limiter.  It's not bad...  But I downloaded the Demo of Elephant and plugged in the two side by side.  Same exact thing you suggested with a separate project for the master, etc.  Literally everything the same except the limiter.  Then I adjust both as I would normally - even made sure the readouts were the exact same in Span.  Then I mixed it down and listened side by side in my car, different headphones, my nice living room stereo, the crappy speakers I have at work, etc...  
 
Voxengo was clearly the winner.
 
 
 
Bass sounds defined and smooth.  Around 300-500hz was abrasive on the Blue Tubes version (could have been a problem with the mix, but for whatever reason Voxengo took care of it...)  Also, looking at the wave forms in Audacity, it looks like I could have bumped the Voxengo version up even higher, whereas the Blue Tubes version would have been noticeably squashed...
 
I've only been at this a couple of years, and the reasons could have been some sort of setting or something - but Voxengo definitely got the job done and addressed some of the sonic issues that I've been struggling with...  
 
I also liked that Voxengo has a transient shaper of sorts...  I was able to dial in some of the things I wanted to do using that when I haven't been able to do it before.
 
That's what I'm leaning so hard towards Voxengo over Ozone...  I can't imagine something performing better.  And I'd have to get the Advanced version of Ozone which is 500.  If I buy all the mastering plugins included in the mastering bundle from Voxengo, I'd only pay 300ish...  (Elephant, Soniformer, Curve EQ, Polysquaher) - Would Ozone do anything these couldn't?

olemon
 
If you want to spend a few bucks on some mastering plugins, watch for the IK Bus Compressor to go on sale, or the Waves V-Comp.  I think it's $49 right now.

I'll definitely give this a try...  I should get the demo of the L2 - I've heard a lot about that one...  

@Mikebeam,
 
I did try out the TB Barricade mastering limiter and it works.
This would be a good low cost way of getting a mastering limiter.
You could order the back issue of Computer Music magazine for 5 dollars then get access to the download for CM TB Barricade.
 
Also, don't forget to try the Blue Tubes brickwall limiter that we already have.

mikebeam
Thanks Mike - That's almost exactly what I'm doing so I think I'm probably on the right track.  I've been using that Blue Tubes limiter.  It's not bad...  But I downloaded the Demo of Elephant and plugged in the two side by side.  Same exact thing you suggested with a separate project for the master, etc.  Literally everything the same except the limiter.  Then I adjust both as I would normally - even made sure the readouts were the exact same in Span.  Then I mixed it down and listened side by side in my car, different headphones, my nice living room stereo, the crappy speakers I have at work, etc...  
Voxengo was clearly the winner.

Cool, Mike
Thanks for posting this info. Now we know where you are coming from and can give better answers.
It sounds like you are doing the right thing and figuring this out on your own. This is the best way to learn.
There is nothing wrong with going with the Voxengo plugs. They are quality plug-ins and you won't out-grow them.
 
 
 

mikedocy
 They are quality plug-ins and you won't out-grow them.

Yeah - I think this might be what I was looking for...  

Hi,
My small contribution to this thread,
Ozone is a great tool because you have the whole chain in one plug-in even if you don't have the hand on what happens.( for example you have some algorithms with the limiter but then all you can do is moove a fader) .
If you go towards Elephant you will have very versatile limiter but you will need a compressor then an eq and an exciter and meters so in terms of cash it can pull you out of bounds.
But from where I am,I am satisfied with Elephant and Soniformer,I did not like Vox's eq so I got another one( very expensive but satisfying DMG Equilibrium to name it) . It gives me a good plug-in chain but the bill is heavier than Ozone7. Also I don't have the over acclaimed multiband (though I'm doubtfull about this kind of tool when it comes to vst. Too long to explain why...) . And if I want an exciter I will have to pay again....( I sometimes use Voxengo's Warmifier but I'm barely convinced ).
Just to feed your thoughts.
Olivier.

Vilovilo
Hi,
My small contribution to this thread,
Ozone is a great tool because you have the whole chain in one plug-in even if you don't have the hand on what happens.( for example you have some algorithms with the limiter but then all you can do is moove a fader) .
If you go towards Elephant you will have very versatile limiter but you will need a compressor then an eq and an exciter and meters so in terms of cash it can pull you out of bounds.
But from where I am,I am satisfied with Elephant and Soniformer,I did not like Vox's eq so I got another one( very expensive but satisfying DMG Equilibrium to name it) . It gives me a good plug-in chain but the bill is heavier than Ozone7. Also I don't have the over acclaimed multiband (though I'm doubtfull about this kind of tool when it comes to vst. Too long to explain why...) . And if I want an exciter I will have to pay again....( I sometimes use Voxengo's Warmifier but I'm barely convinced ).
Just to feed your thoughts.
Olivier.

Actually:
 
Elephant + Soniformer ($180)  + DMG Equilimbrium ($250) = $430
Ozone 7 Advanced = $500
 
Your bill is cheaper than Ozone!  I'm interested (right now) in FabFilter's EQ ProQ-2 (180) 
 
Which would give me a plug in chain of ProQ-2, Soniformer, and Elephant for $360...  I could add Polysquasher to the mix and still be paying less.  However - and I get the added benefit of slowly building my chain.  Pick up Elephant and Soniformer now, then add ProQ and whatever later...  
 
 
 

And this just in from IK Multimedia, Lurssen Mastering Console.  Free for an iPad, $199 for PC or Mac....
 
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/lurssen/

olemon
And this just in from IK Multimedia, Lurssen Mastering Console.  Free for an iPad, $199 for PC or Mac....
 
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/lurssen/

There is an entire thread on this Oleman...
http://forum.cakewalk.com...d-Mac-PC-m3355509.aspx

cclarry

olemon
And this just in from IK Multimedia, Lurssen Mastering Console.  Free for an iPad, $199 for PC or Mac....
 
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/lurssen/

There is an entire thread on this Oleman...
http://forum.cakewalk.com...d-Mac-PC-m3355509.aspx

I knew there was a discussion about the module, didn't know it was actually for sale until today.  One more mastering option to ponder:)