Love this forum!  Lots of good advice.
 
I'm interested in learning the craft and not necessarily looking for the fastest/easiest tool.  My projects are sounding really good with the plug-ins that were included in Sonar X3 Producer - but they aren't there yet.  I've read a few books and am constantly playing and testing (which is a lot of fun!).  I was just wondering if I would ever be able to get there with the tools I have.
 
To make an analogy (this situation got me thinking about researching mastering tools) - I just helped someone put up a bunch of drywall in their basement.  He did not have different size palette knives and so we did the best we could.  Although we "got the job done" it was no where near as refined or looked as good as it would have had we had the correct tools.  
 
But I think I got my answer.  I would not be buying the "advanced" version - only the $250 regular version.  Seemed like a reasonable amount of money for those tools.  I see they have a demo!  I might try that.
 
Thanks to everyone for steering me away from Waves - I think I might have been suckered down that road... 

Another +1 for OZONE here
 
For learning it is one of THE best tools - especially the graphical representation of what the compressors etc. are doing to your tracks using the "trace" view

If you are going for ozone, groove 3 has produced an ozone 6 video. You might also consider t-racks series by ikmultimedia. I am using t-racks deluxe with a few more extra plugins. The group buy is still going on till the end of this month where you can buy one and get 4 free. You can check out this forum under the deal section. My favourite t-racks tools for mastering is eq432, 670 compressor, bus compressor, soft clipper and breakwall limiter. I also use waves l1 ultramaximizer after t-racks to add 1-2 db. Btw I am a hobbyist.

For someone just starting out into the world of mastering and polishing a mix.... absolutely go with Ozone.
 
It has presets that get you going in fine style. In addition, be sure to download the PDF info on mastering on the Ozone website..... it will help you to understand what's going on and what you are doing to the mix as you adjust the various modules.
 
As you gain understanding and experience..... you can always tweak and save the presets as your own custom presets.  I have a number for various purposes that I have customized and saved.
 
Ozone makes the process painless.

After all this talk about mastering software, I guess I should take a look at what is available for free or perhaps try some software included in the x1.

If you really want to dig deep. Edit the .wav file using the pencil tool in Wavelab.
 
J/K.
 
I have Ozone 5, Slate's FG, Waves Platinum+AbbeyRoadSuite, All of IK's stuff, All of Nomad's stuff and almost all of the UAD stuff prior to 2013.
 
Each and everyone has found it's place at the appropriate time.

You know...  I just downloaded the trial version of Ozone 6.  I think they must leave the magic fairy dust out of the trial version 
 
After trying a bunch of presets and then digging in deep - the quality is comparable to what I got using the Sonar x3 plug-ins.  Perhaps a bit 'easier', but not enough to justify the money.  
 
I'll keep playing with it for 10 more days and see if I feel any differently once I learn a little bit more.
 
 

I love Ozone6. I like the feeling of getting a mix totally finished in Sonar and then moving it to another program to "master".
 
There are som many interesting and knowledgable guys on the net who have written about getting a piece ready for mastering and mastering itself. Here are some pretty good ones that can be transferred to Sonar:
 
http://www.samplitude.com/en/news/samplitude-academy-using-eq-drums-in-the-mix.html
http://www.samplitude.com/en/news/samplitude-academy-using-eq-drums-in-the-mix-2.html
http://www.samplitude.com/en/news/samplitude-academy-drums-in-the-mix-3.html
http://www.samplitude.com/en/news/samplitude-academy-parallel-compression-new-york-compression-with-samplitude.html
http://www.samplitude.com/en/news/samplitude-academy-creating-depth-with-samplitude.html
http://www.samplitude.com/en/news/samplitude-academy-more-punch-in-your-mix.html
http://www.samplitude.com/en/news/samplitude-academy-more-dynamic-in-your-mix.html
http://www.samplitude.com/en/news/samplitude-academy-more-loudness-in-your-mix.html
 
http://www.samplitude.com/en/news/samplitude-academy-mastering-with-samplitude.html
 
 

Mastering Software .... well !

Why don't you try out, AirEQ by Eosis and the Slate Digital VMR
those are great combos for mixing, as well for mastering.
Revival, can you get for free..
An stereo width plugin, A1StereoControl can also be useful if needed.
then a limiter of your choice, at the final stage.

All manual work, and no autopilot 

Really wish I had the extra funds for that Izotope Studio & Repair, Advanced Edition Bundle but I'm tapped out for the rest of the year.