On 10/19/2011 09:40 PM, Ricardus Vincente wrote:
  Alas, along came computers. Along came someone
with the bright idea of
 totally automating what it was that the mastering engineer did.  
  When I master I
use a variety of tools, including jamin, but i don't
 use one setting, and I don't know any credible mastering engineer who
 does use some automated setting. That's just crazy.
 
 
 And that's my point.  NOBODY who knows and values his art (i.e.- a
 professional) would ever use a "set and forget" configuration.  However,
 that's exactly what many of the "mastering plugins" offer.  I've played
 with some on Windows that ever had preset names that let you know it was
 supposed to be a Bob Ludwig preset, for example.  My guess is that
 almost all of the users of these programs simply select a preset and
 don't change on thing, partly because they have no idea what they do or
 how they interact, but also because they are listening on a $100 pair of
 Behringer monitors and can't really hear any differences less than 3db
 (and NOTHING below 60Hz).
 These people would end up with a much better sounding, more original
 track if they simply mixed through a variety of monitors until it
 sounded like they want it to, checked levels, and called it a day. 
Sure, but unfortunately, since most people making records today don't
have that luxury, they DO need a credible mastering engineer.
So my recommendation is not to pay money to any person using the BOB
LUDWIG preset.   :-)
Rich...