It’s a quick and clean multi-function tool that can be used to sculpt the tone and dynamics of in-the-box masters. Originally released in 2018, bx_masterdesk went on to become Brainworx’s best-selling plugin of the year. Here are my favorite mastering plugins of all time, and how I’ve used them when finalizing mixes for distribution. These plugins can be used to sculpt the timbre and dynamics of your music to professional standards. That said, there are a plethora of tools currently available if your primary goal is to simply enhance the sonics of your recordings before uploading for streaming and/or distributing via compact disc, vinyl, etc. With Apple’s spatial audio option available as part of their music streaming service, MEs will continue to tweak their processes to create masters optimized for an ever-evolving and complex listening format. Throughout history, MEs have adapted to changes in technology, delivering music optimized for vinyl, 8-track, cassette, CD and now streaming. There are still many skills mastering engineers possess that go beyond processing a stereo mix to sound fuller, clearer and louder. This isn’t to say that one can claim to be a mastering engineer after simply purchasing a few plugin packs. Mastering completely in the box can still render professional results. While hardware equalizers, compressors, exciters, high end converters and even analog tape remain tools within the ME’s arsenal, software has improved greatly over the decades. Plugins have gradually found their way into the mastering engineer’s workflow.

Ozone mastering