Mastering - hardware or software

I think you can stay in the software realm and get decent results nowadays.  I don't recommend going OTB for such a critical step unless you have high-end gear.

Mastering is an art, but if you want it quick and dirty, use a maximiser (L2,L3,Elephant, etc) and set it until it catches the crest of your waves without doing much limiting (less than 3db). If you have a properly mixed track, it should get you close to other tracks in terms of perceived loudness.

what i've found as someone who also does quite a lot of mastering bthese days is this simple rule:

-if something is mostly made with software, it really benefits from mastering witrh hardware
-if something is made with mostly hardware, it needs good hardware for mastering, or software

most only-computer stuff sounds thin and too split-up compared to real hardware recordings. even a lofi hardware limiter or compressor or tape recorder can act as the glue between tracks (mastering is not only about volume!) and give it some punch and grit.

since most hardware recordings already have this, you need really good hardware mastering tools to get it to the next level. and in a lot of cases, the close to surgical precision of software eq's or a gentle nudge on something like the oxford limiter will really focus your sound.

for example, i did some of baz rznik's dyfr records and they really benefitted from a pass through the low speed setting on the studer a80. the same treatment totally didn't work for things like the agent side grinder lp's on enfant terrible which were already totally analog recordings..

I like the UAD card and plug ins.  I agree with Tony and the main thing I've learned is not to over compress/limit/eq (unless it's a specific effect you're looking for).  This is only my opinion as I've never used any high end hardware to compare against the software.

I use Izotope Ozone for mastering, it has all the effects you need, even more than that. Some presets can serve as a basis for further tweaking. Especially the multiband compressor is useful for getting the sound right.

It doesn't sound analogue at all though, I'm experimenting with a nagra tape recorder to add some fuzzyness to the end result but I'm starting to think it's too accurate for adding that tape "warmth" ;-)

Yep, nothing is more important than listening! I do have the feeling that this isn't a skill you can grow quickly though, it takes time :-)

take a look at the fab filter stuff.. i really like that they are k-system centric

http://soundcloud.com/monolake/masterin … step-guide