Artificial Intelligence - What can mastering by AI do?

Focusrite FAST Bundle

The FAST Bundle from Focusrite offers the same basis as the Balancer, but goes a few steps further. The equalizer divides the audio material into different frequency ranges such as sub-bass, low mids or treble, which can be previewed and adjusted separately with one click. The subdivisions are created by the AI depending on the analysis of the audio material and the basic settings. It is similar with the compressor. Here, in FAST mode, the threshold at which processing kicks in is shown as a bar above the real-time display of the waveform. For stronger compression, simply drag it down until it compresses the level peaks as desired.

The FAST plug-ins deliver what the name promises: With just a few simple steps, you can quickly achieve professional-sounding and musical results, which is an advantage that should not be underestimated, especially in the creative production process. You can also use the artificial intelligence as an initial guide and make fine adjustments later.

The FAST plug-ins deliver what the name promises: With just a few simple steps, you can quickly achieve professional-sounding and musical results, which is an advantage that should not be underestimated, especially in the creative production process. You can also use the artificial intelligence as an initial guide and make fine adjustments later.

www.focusrite.com | 250 euros | Win, Mac

Focusrite / sonible Balancer

The effect plug-in from Focusrite and sonible aims to automatically correct and balance the frequency spectrum of an audio track in seconds. At its heart is sonible‘s smart:engine, which is also behind smart:comp, smart:EQ 2 and smart:EQ live.

You simply place the plug-in as an effect on the audio track to be processed, start the track and click the learn button. Balancer analyzes the incoming audio signals for a few seconds and collects information. Artificial intelligence-based algorithms then detect and automatically correct any imperfections in the audio signal, such as spectral balance. You can choose between different profiles such as universal, vocals or drums, which optimize the plug-in for different signals and make it work more precisely. Because if the smart:engine knows what kind of instrument or voice is being processed, the analysis can be adapted even better to the input signal. The basic sound can be selected between warm, neutral and bright, and the intensity of the processing is adjusted via a fader.

Balancer is a useful helper to quickly and easily adjust and balance the frequency spectrum of an audio track. The results are almost always convincing in practice and usually improved the sound image significantly, the operation is intuitive and does not require any training time.

www.sonible.com | www.focusrite.com | Freeware | Win, Mac

Auto mastering in comparison

LANDR

Mastering recordings in the blink of an eye is the credo of LANDR, a fully automated service. The upload area, which accepts files via drag & drop and without prior registration, is already waiting on the start page. There are no default settings. After uploading, a short demo of the mastered version is played immediately. Only if the result pleases, a customer account is necessary, which allows the full download. Two 192 kHz MP3s per month can be mastered free of charge for testing purposes. Unlimited WAV files are available for 35 Euro per month. The result is rather good, the MP3 is quite loud. Possible imbalances in the mix remain, however, and there are no options for correction. Nevertheless, we recommend testing.

Delivery time: 10 Minuten

Web: landr.com

Retries: –

Price: 5 Euro/mtl.

Rating: 5 / 6

Wavemod

Also with Wavemod loud results guaranteed, which, however, first require registration and in contrast to other services can not be tested beforehand. This is incomprehensible, especially in view of the already automated algorithms. Wavemod is the only portal that offers a choice of three mastering intensity levels and an extra stereo boost. The latter, however, costs extra. A few minutes after uploading, the finished master can be previewed and downloaded or otherwise edited up to twice free of charge. Here, too, the results are loud, but in the case of our club track, thanks to the strong use of the exciter, with uncomfortably intense highs. We recommend trying out the other offers free of charge beforehand.

Delivery time: 10 Minuten

Web: wavemod.com

Retries: 2

Price: 11 Euro

Rating: 3,5 / 6

Mixmaximizer

As the name suggests, tracks are also made loud here. On the clearly arranged start page, you will immediately notice a table that lists what automatic mastering can do and what a professional would be better at. Very commendable! Among other things, the processing of frequency balance, stereo width, RMS level and volume as well as resampling, bit conversion and dithering are offered. The full program. The upload is uncomplicated, the result is delivered to the mailbox a few minutes later. As with LANDR, the track gets quite a bit louder, other than that not much changes. If you‘re satisfied with the excerpt, you can purchase the complete mastering for the equivalent of 10 Euros. If you only need MP3s, you can get them for 2.50 euros.

Delivery time: 10 Minuten

Web: mixmaximizer.com

Retries: –

Price: 10 Euro

Rating: 5 / 6

Maximalsound

Maximalsound advertises its algorithm, which is supposed to put the finishing touches on uploaded WAV files with “intense sensations in the listener” as the result. However, Safari and Opera users must first get a new browser to use the service. Once the upload is complete, a randomly selected 20-second excerpt of the song is played. The result turns out extremely loud, but maintains the original pressure. Furthermore, an exciter is apparently applied, because our track sounded a bit more hi-fi afterwards, but quite pleasant. Absolutely top for the price of 11 Euros. Only the pricing turns out confusing, as it depends on sample rate, bit depth and length of the song. Apart from that, it‘s great.

Delivery time: 10 Minuten

Web: maximalsound.com

Retries: –

Price: from 1,33 Euro/min.

Rating: 5,5 / 6