HarBal is great.  I've used it for balancing backing tracks, used in live situations, to keep the FOH guys happy. 
I've also *mastered* a couple CDs with it as well, and I thought it compared to the online guys that might have a *rep* in the forums, that you pay $400, because they have nice speakers and a Manley something or other...

Have in mind that I did this as a quicky :-))
Bombarded the track with various plugs and used the elimination tactic :-)
"Does this sound good , yep ...does this help the track , na no soup for you etc...." :-))
All I say , go with the flow and be moderate with what you throw at a track :-))
Somtimes nothing at all .
All the best
Jan

I must say, of the three mastering jobs my favorite was Jan's.  Cool song, too ... nice work all around, guys!
 
Har-Bal ... I've heard a lot about it but never tried it (seems there is no way to demo?).  Can it really do things that other tools like Ozone cannot? 
 
Cheers,
Eddie
 

Really interesting guys, and on my "crappy" Computer speakers Jan's does sound good - i think best is a bit subjective as to personal taste but I feel the main stuff I want to hear does sound a bit clearer / sharper - does just border on the harsh but on my system very acceptable.
I wonder if anyone had seen this - I had an email from JJR shop(I think) about it a few weeks back but never got around to checking it out
http://www.jrrshop.com/rob-chiarelli-signature-series-mixbuss-lite
Nigel
 

Bajan Blue
I wonder if anyone had seen this - I had an email from JJR shop(I think) about it a few weeks back but never got around to checking it out
http://www.jrrshop.com/rob-chiarelli-signature-series-mixbuss-lite
Nigel

I bought that just out of curiosity shortly after it came out (I think I paid about $15).  Decent track limiter with useful quick-EQ settings, but not so good on the mix bus.  Pumps way too easily.  Probably worth the asking price, but you could get Barricade for about the same money, which is a far better tool IMHO.  And don't forget free alternatives like Limiter No. 6 and LoudMax.
 
Cheers,
Eddie

Thanks Eddie
I have to say I did view this with a little suspicion! And pretty much assumed it would perform as you have described - so thanks again, you've saved me the trouble of looking into it!!!
Cheers
Nigel
 

Hey Bit
did a quick " Master " of your song, at amateur level.

Gonna try uppload a flac file to Dropbox..... got bad conn atm, but ill try.
 
 
 
 

Eddie TX
Har-Bal ... I've heard a lot about it but never tried it (seems there is no way to demo?).  Can it really do things that other tools like Ozone cannot? 
 
Cheers,
Eddie
 

I believe that there is a demo of Har-Bal that you can try.  The unique thing about Har-Bal 3, is the ability to split the track along song structure, to be able to work on different parts of the song.  Here is a link to a fascinating tutorial that Pavo did, remastering a U2 song: http://www.har-bal.com/help/tutorials.html
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KUj9MUODEU
 
 
 
 

Here's my quick " mastering " attempt, 256kbps MP3 : 
https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/limo_JanKrakeli.mp3?_subject_uid=270438942&w=AACYM9zD8UH0idpDFPB8h78qcLeEiO4eRMyLaNsLy7QKEw 

Used Wavelab elements 7 ( 4 eff slots )

slot 1: Steven slate VCC
slot 2: Sonimus SonEQ Pro
slot 3: Steven slate VBC ( Demo ) used the FG-RED and the FG-MU Compressors.
slot 4: George Yohng, W1 Limiter

Mixed in a nasty untreated reflective room ( my living room )
and using my old Sony STR-414L Stereo Amp
and my Dantax Century Main 150w speakers, as "monitor's

The treble may be a tad to much, but i did it to bring some elements up, also to get it open sounding !
Dynamic range is around -14 / -13db with peak at -9.4db at max.

Hi bit, what is that click sound we can hear sounds like dark sounding "handclap"
very upront sounding, it is a bit annoying me thinks !

The drums at the end of the song seems to rush off, at its own.. compared to the beat of the guitars ?
maybe it is just my ears ...

Other than that i love the tune, nice work there, Dave .

I've always maintained that if the mastering actions are drastic it's a sign that the mix isn't done yet.
 
Some elements of the mix did sound better with the brighter master, but not all of them, so it made sense to revisit the mix and brighten up those things that seemed to benefit most, mainly drums. I've done that now, but I won't post the new mix lest I muddy the waters for this mastering experiment. But my gosh, it's apparent that I've learned a few things, or at least gotten better at them, since I first mixed this one just four years ago. Gives me hope.
 
Thanks for joining in, Soundblend. Not bad for a living-room mix! A little bright to my ear, but very dynamic and punchy with high crest factors - just the way I like 'em.