Top 10 Mastering software

In this Dubspot Top Picks guide, we look at a selection of our favorite mixing and mastering plugins that offer incredible sound shaping possibilities, impressive features, and professional sound quality.

iZotope Ozone 7 | Mastering Suite‎

iZotope, the makers of award-winning software for audio production has a strong reputation for delivering professional plugins. The latest version of their flagship mastering software, Ozone 7 is a welcomed edition to iZotope’s Music Production Bundle. Ozone 7 is a set of essential mastering tools that enable both professionals and aspiring music producers to easily add a final level of polish to their mixes and audio recordings. While retaining the elegant workflow and precision audio processing of previous versions, Ozone 7 brings the best sonic characteristics of analog hardware to modern digital recordings and a host of new features. Read more at iZotope

Soundtoys 5 | The Ultimate Effect Rack

A long-time favorite among Dubspot instructors, Soundtoys 5 brings together an entire range of audio effects into one powerful collection. The bundle includes all 18 Soundtoys plugins. Saturate, compress and distort with Decapitator, Radiator, and Devil-Loc. Get a virtual history of echo and delay hardware with EchoBoy and PrimalTap. Transform your vocals with Little AlterBoy. Recreate classic studio pitch, chorus and widening effects with Crystallizer and MicroShift. Take modulation to new levels with the beat-synced rhythmic effects of PanMan, Tremolator, FilterFreak, and PhaseMistress. All of these individual elements are proven, powerful tools, trusted by professional mix engineers, musicians and sound designers everywhere. Read more at Soundtoys

FabFilter | Mastering Bundle

Above having innovative interfaces and a streamlined workflow, FabFilter creates powerful audio plugins with amazing sound quality. The beautifully slick interfaces of all their plugins make them extremely easy and fun to work with for music production and audio processing. In addition, many of the same features are shared across all plugins making them very intuitive to use together. The Mastering Bundle from FabFilter is a collection of four of their plugins, which consist of professional quality mastering tools often used by engineers in audio production applications such as studio recording, post-production, and more. With this bundle, you get FabFilter’s professional Pro-L limiter, Pro-Q 2 EQ, Pro-MB multiband dynamics, and the Pro-C 2 compressor plugins. Read more at FabFilter

Slate Digital Mix/Master Bundle | Virtual Analog Studio

Slate Digital’s award-winning products are some of the best analog modeling plugins in the industry. With the Slate Mix/Master Bundle, you get every Slate Digital plugin in addition to every future plugin they release. This complete package of amazing tools is available as monthly and yearly subscriptions that gives you everything Slate Digital comes out with including the exclusive Relab LX480 Reverb Plugin, a FREE ilok2, and up two $99 Coupons to buy ‘forever’ licenses. Read more at Slate Digital

Waves SSL G-Master | Buss Compressor

Based on the renowned master buss center compressor of the SSL 4000 G console, the Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor captures the unique sound of the original’s IC input and twin VCA gain-reduction amplifier design. Prized by top engineers for its ability to “glue together” tracks, the SL 4000 G master buss center compressor is ideal for taming piano dynamics or adding punch to drums and percussion. Now, the ultimate finalizer that transforms a mix into a finished record can be yours in-the-box. Read more at Waves

Brainworx bx_digital V3 | Mid/Side Equalizer

Brainworx’s flagship product, the bx_digital V3 is an 11-band equalizer that delivers an impressive set of features and sound quality. Make precision moves on each channel that includes filters for high and low shelving, highpass and lowpass filters, and parametric bell. In addition, there is mono, L/R dual-mono, stereo, and mid-side modes of operation, a mid-side decoder, spectrum-balancing Bass and Presence Shifters, a Mono Maker summing tool, and comprehensive set of imaging, monitoring, and metering tools for high-level mastering. The release of bx_digital V3 extends the High Frequency band’s to 40 kHz, adds a Dynamic EQ module, offers API-style Proportional Q filters and six notch filters to handle any surgical mix or mastering tasks, alternate slopes, and global Gain Scale control. This unique EQ offers so many more features to list. Read more at Plugin Alliance

iZotope Alloy 2 | Essential Mixing Tools

Alloy 2 by iZotope is truly a one-stop suite of professional-quality audio processing plugins that will save you valuable time by streamlining your workflow while giving you the essential tools to enhance your sounds. Far more than just a traditional channel strip, Alloy 2 is a modern twist on classic mixing. The basics have been re-imagined with forward-thinking features and time-saving flexibility. The plugin includes six tools – Equalization, Dynamics, Exciter, De-Esser, Transient Shaper, and a Limiter. This powerful, easy-to-use plugin delivers warm, punchy, vintage-inspired sound processing with precise digital control to sculpt your sounds. Read more at iZotope

Sonnox Oxford Inflator | Tube-Emulated Dynamics Processor

A longtime secret weapon for audio professionals, the Sonnox Oxford Inflator has become the professional standard for adding power, warmth, and punch to your mix without audibly affecting the sonic quality or reducing dynamic range. Use this tool to increase the apparent loudness of your mix or individual tracks without overloads or compression pumping, or use it to add natural warmth and character. Read more at Sonnox