mikebeam
As far as plugins I only have what came with Sonar - and I'm getting decent results.  But curious to see if there are tools out there that ...

The first thing that you need (if you don't already own one) is a good mastering limiter.
Ozone, IK Multimedia, Voxengo, Waves,  are the most common.
 

mikedocy

mikebeam
As far as plugins I only have what came with Sonar - and I'm getting decent results.  But curious to see if there are tools out there that ...

The first thing that you need (if you don't already own one) is a good mastering limiter.
Ozone, IK Multimedia, Voxengo, Waves,  are the most common.
 

Yes - I was thinking about starting there...  I've been using the Nomad Factory plug-ins.  The BT-Equalizer BX2S-3 seems to do the job of a mastering limiter - no?...  

mikebeam

mikedocy

mikebeam
As far as plugins I only have what came with Sonar - and I'm getting decent results.  But curious to see if there are tools out there that ...

The first thing that you need (if you don't already own one) is a good mastering limiter.
Ozone, IK Multimedia, Voxengo, Waves,  are the most common.

Yes - I was thinking about starting there...  I've been using the Nomad Factory plug-ins.  The BT-Equalizer BX2S-3 seems to do the job of a mastering limiter - no?...  

The peak limiter built into the BX2S EQ is certainly better than nothing but I think there is room for improvement if this is your current mastering limiter.
 
Look for a "brickwall Limiter" or "Mastering Limiter".
I know there is a free one available too but I can't think of the name. Somebody else (Bit?) please chime in here and let us know the name of the the free vst mastering limiter.

I use Har Bal.
 
older version.
 
works great.
 
i mostly use it to check my stereo premastered mixes..... the longer i've used it, the less i've needed it.
in other words, a great mixing tool..
 
i use it ONLY for subtle EQ changes.....
things that i can't dial in with my room and monitors...
 
i use WAVELAB to actually master,
and WAVES plugins, Linear phase EQ, linear Phase multiband, and L2 limiter comprises my entire chain.
 
i use PAZ analyzer across my master buss as i mix,
if i find any PHASE issues, i fix it in the mix,
and rarely have any,
and i also use DC cut as part of my tracking,
typically my stereo files have almost no DC showing up on the analysis.
 
 
to my ears, it sounds completely transparent.
i've never picked up on an anomalies, artifacts, nothing.

There is a Brick Wall Limiter and a Master Limiter as well...  So, are the plug-ins that are available for purchase reaaaalllllyyyy better?  I mean - is it worth shelling out the cash?

I have used both but with earlier versions. The main thing I remember about HarBal was the matching algorithms for imposing an EQ that matched a specific recording example. Ozone does that as well now but didn't at the time I used both. Ozone, IMHO, is quite good and there are numerous tube videos from various mix producers that show you how to best use it. It is Far more comprehensive than HarBal. As usual, it typically comes down to cost vs features and quality. I defer to others for suggestions of lesser priced solutions that may give the bang for the buck you are looking for.

I personally am very pleased with Ozone 5 Advanced edition but you have to look at any of the presets as just starting points.

Good luck

mikebeam
There is a Brick Wall Limiter and a Master Limiter as well...  So, are the plug-ins that are available for purchase reaaaalllllyyyy better?  I mean - is it worth shelling out the cash?

Brickwall Limiter and Mastering Limiter are synonomous for the purpose of this post.
Go to your favorite search engine and search for "free vst mastering limiter".
 
Here is a free one that gets good reviews:
https://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/limiter6/
 
 

Thanks.  I bought a book on mastering a while back the mastering chain suggested was exactly what batsbrew is using...  I kind of like that you've needed it less and less - you've learned from it.  That's worth the money for me because I'm not entirely sure what I should be looking for...  
 
Ozone advanced has too big of a pricetag for me...  I'd rather buy individual plug-ins and piece together something.  Especially since I'm in a learning phase...  
 
Do Soundforge or Audacity factor into this discussion at all?  Can they be used for mastering?

The price tag was too big  for me too, until the holiday/end of year specials brought it into my price range!
 
Just be patient and a lot of expensive software gets massively marked down......and get the LE/ essential versions of stuff so you can take advantage of upgrade sales next time....

mikedocy

mikebeam
There is a Brick Wall Limiter and a Master Limiter as well...  So, are the plug-ins that are available for purchase reaaaalllllyyyy better?  I mean - is it worth shelling out the cash?

Brickwall Limiter and Mastering Limiter are synonomous for the purpose of this post.
Go to your favorite search engine and search for "free vst mastering limiter".
 
Here is a free one that gets good reviews:
https://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/limiter6/
 
 

Yeah - I'm going to work these until I see some mark downs or sales.  I just picked this up - http://www.yohng.com/software/w1limit.html