While it’s certainly possible to purchase an all-inclusive mastering suite, they are fundamentally similar to regular Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) that are used for mixing. We’ve included a section for Mac and PC users to double-check the compatibility of each of the plug-ins on our list. No matter what plug-in you’re using, it’s a good idea to check the system requirements against your own computer to ensure it will operate effectively. Our list includes options for the budget-conscious engineer as well as a few luxury options that offer incredible value if you’ve got the coin.

Most mastering plug-ins are relatively inexpensive, and websites like Waves frequently run sales, so be sure to take advantage of discounted plug-in options. Part of what you’re paying for is experience, but with patience and a good set of ears, you can achieve quality results for a fraction of the cost of outsourcing.

Mastering can be an incredibly expensive process, especially when it’s handled by a mastering house. You’ll want to keep the following in mind when shopping for your plug-ins: Pricing You’ll often need a variety of options to cover equalization, compression, limiting, and specialized sounds like tape saturation. Just like the plug-ins that you use to manipulate tracks in your mixes, many mastering plug-ins are specifically designed to replicate famous analog equipment. The best mastering plug-ins balance affordability and usefulness. What To Look For When Choosing a Mastering Plugin If you’re looking for a place to start, you’re in luck: we’ve compiled a list of the best mastering plug-ins available today so you can put the finishing touch on your next project. In fact, many of these plug-ins are the exact same tools that professional mastering houses use on tracks, so learning to use them is an affordable window into the world of mastering. Many producers will opt to outsource the mastering process to a separate mastering engineer, but there are excellent plug-ins available that make the mastering process accessible to those who would prefer to do it themselves.

It isn’t a magic wand that will fix a bad mix, but it can be just what the doctor ordered to take your mixes to the next level! Rather than manipulating the individual elements of a song like vocal tracks or instruments, the mastering process uses equalization (EQ), compression, and limiting to gently polish a completed mix. Mastering is the final step in getting professional-grade tracks ready for sequencing and distribution, and it’s easily one of the most misunderstood processes in the industry.

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