Time is of the essence where Initial Audio’s Master Suite is concerned: it’s designed to speed up and simplify the mastering process.
Designed to make things “as easy as 1-2-3,” there’s a big Loudness knob in the middle of the interface, and you also get 3-band EQ and stereo image controls. An LUFS display enables you to check your loudness levels, while an “intelligent algorithm” can supposedly apply just the right amount of limiting and compression. This can then be adjusted manually to taste.
You can judge for yourself how effective Master Suite is by watching the video above. It runs on PC and Mac in VST/AU formats and is currently available for the introductory price of £59.72 (the regular price is £150.44). You can find out more and download a demo on the Initial Audio website.
Initial Audio Master Suite features
- THD: Total Harmonic Distortion, this can ‘fatten’ up the master and help increase the perceived loudness.
- Loudness: Increase or decrease the loudness of your master in decibels. Uses an intelligent compression and limiting algorithm to ensure maximum loudness with minimal distortion.
- LUFS Meter: The LUFS meter ( Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) is an industry standard representation of perceived loudness. The meter goes green when in the ‘sweet’ zone of a loud master without over compressing the dynamics of your mix.
- Soften: This softens the compression curve, also known as a ‘soft knee’.
- Mix: Mix the compressed audio with the original. If you are pushing the loudness hard and the master is sounding over compressed with a loss of dynamics, this control can help restore some dynamics while still keeping the master loud.
- Analog: Changes the frequency response of master suite to sound more Analog.
- 3 Band Equalizer: Cut or boost the low, mid and high frequencies by up to 6dB.
- Stereo Image: The Mono control works by making the audio completely mono below the set frequency. This can help to tighten up the low end and ensure it is coming only from the center of the stereo field. The Stereo control enhances the stereo field for the frequencies only above the mid range, leaving the lower frequencies untouched. This can be used to add extra ‘space’ in the master by pushing instruments even wider in the stereo field.
- Ceiling: Sets the maximum loudness for peaks. Your master will not go louder than this.
