Mastering and ABing in DP

[NealF]

Hi,

I'm trying to master a track in DP 9.52. I've got a new session with the mix loaded.
I've got another song as a reference track on a second stereo track.

Now if I start adding plugins to the Master Bus, the only way to AB the two tracks is to solo the 2nd track and bypass whatever plugins are on the Master bus.This makes going back and forth difficult.

Is there a better way to master with a ref track?

Thanks.

[FMiguelez]

Hi, Neal.

The easiest way would be to use a different output for the reference.

Otherwise, "shift" the master fader and reference tracks down a level, so all your mix goes to an aux track, put all the mastering plugins there, and then send it to the master fader (which would be clean). Now all you have to do is set DP to solo mode and option click on solo in the aux track or reference track for instant change.

There are probably other ways to set it up, but either of those should do it. Do mind that an aux behaves differently than a master fader for fader levels, though.

[NealF]

Geez!
I should have figured that out.
I understand the aux track, but how would you go about sending the ref to another output?
There's no way to create 2 master buses. Tried that.

Thanks.

[Killahurts]

You could apply the plugins directly to the track that has the mix, instead of to the master fader, and A/B with the reference track as you would any two tracks (both set to the main outputs). That's what I do.

If your faders are set to unity, you don't really need a master fader at all,.. but if you were set on using one, you could always do the above, and then when you are through with the reference track, move the plugins over from the mix track to the master fader.

[FMiguelez]

Geez!
I should have figured that out.
I understand the aux track, but how would you go about sending the ref to another output?
There's no way to create 2 master buses. Tried that.

Thanks.

If your audio interface has more than one channel of i/o (I'm pretty sure you do), and you have a way to monitor both outs, that's all you need. So you'd have your normal master fader for your mix (main out 1/2), and you send the reference audio track to another out (out 3/4), or to a mixer. Your DP bounces would only include anything routed to the normal master fader out. Just mind the gain staging all the way through.

[James Steele]

You might also check this out:

https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/prod ... ricab.html



I got it on sale. Right now it's $199 so it's very expensive for what it does, but it usually does go on sale. A lot of those Plugin Alliance plugs go on sale for $29.99 or so. There is a free 14 day demo, so I don't know if that's enough time for you to check it out.

[mikehalloran]

…
If your audio interface has more than one channel of i/o (I'm pretty sure you do), and you have a way to monitor both outs, that's all you need. So you'd have your normal master fader for your mix (main out 1/2), and you send the reference audio track to another out (out 3/4), or to a mixer. Your DP bounces would only include anything routed to the normal master fader out. Just mind the gain staging all the way through.

The OP's Apogee Duet does not have this functionality.

All MOTU have it except the M2 over CoreAudio but that is available on the Mac with the MOTU drivers that add Loopback.

[rainmaker]

Magic AB is great as well: https://splice.com/plugins/7620-magic-a ... mple-magic

[James Steele]

Magic AB is great as well: https://splice.com/plugins/7620-magic-a ... mple-magic

I followed the link and it says the plug in is discontinued and no longer available?

[NealF]

Thanks, everyone for the info.

I tried the first idea with the aux track and that does it.
Don't have a way to get separate outs with my setup.

I bought the Magic AB a long time ago but never used it. Looks like I won't actually need it now that I've got the aux method.

Thanks again.

[HCMarkus]

For a stereo mix, I bus my audio like this:

All Tracks > Sub buses > Master bus Aux track
Master bus Aux track has Mastering plug-ins inserted

Master bus > Record bus

Record bus > Mix track
Record bus > Monitor bus Aux track

Mix track > Monitor bus Aux track
Monitor Aux> Main Speakers

When mixing Mix track is muted
Solo enables Mix track only for review

All buses are Solo Exempt
All Master Fx are added only once tracking is done to avoid look ahead induced VI latency

[sayatnova]

Good info, here!...

[ghobish]

You might also check this out:

https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/prod ... ricab.html



I got it on sale. Right now it's $199 so it's very expensive for what it does, but it usually does go on sale. A lot of those Plugin Alliance plugs go on sale for $29.99 or so. There is a free 14 day demo, so I don't know if that's enough time for you to check it out.

Ditto. I am primarily a mastering engineer and this plug is on every single session. It will even automate matching the levels so you don't get caught in the "louder is better" trap.

[NealF]

Looks good.
I'll check it out.
Thanks.

[Killahurts]

I got it on sale. Right now it's $199 so it's very expensive for what it does, but it usually does go on sale. A lot of those Plugin Alliance plugs go on sale for $29.99 or so. There is a free 14 day demo, so I don't know if that's enough time for you to check it out.

Thanks for the reminder, I forgot I even had Metric A/B! I've never used it, but now I'm doing some mastering and I really need it. I got it when it was $30, like you said, because it was $30.. that was back before I joined plugins anonymous, for my "problem."