Audio Mastering for iPad, described as “the first fully functional professional quality audio mastering application for iPad”, has been updated to version 2.
Here’s what’s new in Audio Mastering version 2:
- Fully updated 32-bit audio processing algorithms.
- Standard and Advanced processing control modes.
- Parametric equalizer in addition to graphic.
- Spectrum analyzer with switching connection points.
- Switchable crossover frequency for Stereo Imaging.
- Additional controls for Maximizer.
- Separate adjustment of input level reduction.
- Improved controls for presets.
- Compare mode for presets in each track.
- Inter-App Audio supported.
Here’s the official intro video:
Requirements:
Third generation of iPad and higher is recommended (especially with Inter-App audio and Audiobus). Offline processing can be done with any iPad.
Audio Mastering is available now for $12.99.
Why?
Is this a serious question? why not?
I run a USB direct-out straight to my iPad from my mixer. In fact, I use their other app, Master Record to record, post-process, finalize and add warmth to my tracks. It works well for me. Some of us don’t want a full-blown computer in the studio.
Why not?
Many musicians will never be able to pay to have their music mastered professionally, so it seems elitist as hell to dismiss an app that’s designed to give new options to people.
On the other hand, if you think that mastering algorithms sound warmer on vintage desktop computers because they run a little hot, you might have a point.
No, no, no, and no. Making a track ‘loud enough’ and then correcting your obvious mix errors is NOT mastering. That the word has been abused and downtrodden to the point where people think you could even get close to what a real ME does on an iPad is a testament to just how little people really care to understand the intricacy of such a process. Those guys spend tens of thousands on building perfect rooms, getting the very best of gear, and, oh yeah, hundreds of hours fine tuning their ears, getting a sense for mix translation, developing their skills. Show them some respect. And even so, there are plenty of ‘lesser’ engineers who will do a far better job than you ever could (on iPad or otherwise) for as little as $80-100/song. Sorry, there are some things you just can’t DIY properly.
News of Audio Mastering expanding is rather glorious for those of us who’ve come to love it and rely on it to help lift our mixes to higher levels figuratively and literally. Great app / great additions.
Is the color for development time only? Mine is still blue and I prefer to the grey in the movie.
Great update and there’s multi-band compression coming very soon too 🙂
Jimmie, you can change it to grey, look in your settings!
is it analogue ? if not i ll sk that and wait for better apps
Not sure if serious.
of course iam serious, a mastering app without an analogue compressor ???
are you kidding me? i must be daydreaming again ^^
Yeah I’m playing on words with you, nothing malicious 🙂
What I meant is that apps or software can never be truly analogue, because its code and not electronic circuitry. You can get very close with virtual analogue in terms of sounds, but that does not make it analogue. So technically, you can never have anything analogue in apps.
As a mastering engineer this is totally ridiculous. You need a room with acoustics to balance the space to create a proper frequency control. Proper speakers that your ears trust implicitly that produce a full tonal spectrum and all necessary equipment to create signal chain to said speakers. AND many hours of listening to great mixes in such a room to ensure that you can trust what you are hearing to make critical tweaks to a final mix. This is a mobile device and as such implies mastering on the go probably using headphones or near fields in a less than ideal room. Proper mastering is next it impossible to perform on the go. Sure I have used the same headphones and near fields since college and can get 90% there, but that is great MIXING. Mastering is the other 10% and should not be confused with great mixing.
It is like the word ROBOT. everyone uses the word robot with drones, radio controlled ROV’s etc.. a Robot is a pre programed partial or full autonomous device capable of performing a function without human interaction. If a human is controlling every move with a joystick it is NOT a robot! It is a tele operated device.
the word or function of MASTERING is thrown around very loosely anymore in the same fashion. The software is only a fraction of the full picture of what is needed to create truly MASTERED audio. (steps off soapbox and I await haters to my 2 cents)
Thank you, I wish I’d seen this before I commented on a post above, you put it better than I could. I don’t know what leads these people to believe they even have the first idea about what mastering is, let alone how to achieve it. I sure don’t see much in the video that would qualify. Shame we’ll probably just be dismissed as ‘more haters’ bcz omg I can do everything on my special pancake computer mr jobs said so. *sigh*
An iPad is a computer, just like a desktop/studio rig is. Imagine this + an Apogee Duet 2 for iPad and a huge analog mixing board 🙂
Like a computer?…. except you cannot access its filesystem, or use a truly unified copy-paste board, or program low-level software for it, and you need to sync it with iTunes for connectivity, and you only install authorized apps from a single store unless you hack it.
More like a gaming console if you ask me (and I love my ipad, but all those limitations are really annoying and are hurting IOS)
no one said ipad is taking over desktops or zillion dollar studios. it is what it is. if you don’t see yourself renting a zillion dollar studio or if you see yourself making tracks on the train or bus ipad can be one solution. ipad will only get more powerful. i think touch screens will take over studio hardware in the future.
Faders and knobs are hands on, tactile stuff. They’re real and the feel of them corresponds directly to what they are achieving sonically. They’re not going anywhere in favour of a screenful of finger smudge.
@ Digiman
The Audio Mastering app can at the least make mixes sound Better (even on the go) but more importantly: a well made track processed through Audio Mastering and true monitors can produce Stunning results. Don’t discount the iPad as incapable just because it’s as portable as it is — and don’t assume producers with proper studios won’t be using iPads in them — the user and their senses are what makes or breaks fantastic audio production.
I, for one, love this App. Moreover, I love showing it off to people that come to the studio. It literally does what it says it does… and if you combine it with the Master FX and Master Record you’ve really got something. it the time has not already arrived it will be here very soon where it wont make a difference sonically if you’ve started and perfected music on an iPad or other hardware. For the life of me I can’t understand how studio engineers aren’t wholeheartedly embracing this medium. Well, I get how they feel threatened but it’s really just a matter of incorporating these new iOS workflows into what they are already doing. In fact, i think that as the expertise that musicians and producers have on the iPad pretty soon the chain will go from recording on the iPad to having the hot shot mix and master guru polish off the project. Besides, making music on iOS is just plain fun.
agreed that to call this a full blown mastering suite is a bit of a stretch, but it is a step in the right direction. i suspect when the first -MIXERS- were introduced they were probably considered unnecessary. same with introduction of digital. but some ideas become standard eventually. i can see a future development of a perfect room sim, perhaps using primes or some other method where using the headphones would fool most anyone without the sensual learned ear of an engineer. music essentially being orchestrated noise and endearing to the person imbibing it, it comes down to personal taste. i am a hobbyist and as such i am giving a simple observation, i think ill try this app to learn something and support future development. have a nice day.