The release of Brainworx bx_mastering studio, a standalone music mastering application, has been brought to the attention of Brainworx founder and former Brainworx CEO Dirk Ulrich. The application is available for free via the Plugin Alliance website.
bx_mastering studio will be released in 2021 as a VST/AU plug-in for Windows and MacOS. The development is based on Brainworx's proprietary algorithms to "quickly produce a great-sounding mastering track". Now the company is looking to broaden the product's audience by releasing the plug-in as a standalone program that doesn't require a DAW.
The application is a set of virtual processors for post-processing a mix. The software works with audio files in WAV format, and users can upload either a single song or multiple tracks for sequential or mass processing.
After uploading a file, bx_mastering studio analyzes the track and offers a number of tips that can improve the sound of the composition. The developers note that the advice should be used with caution - the suggested actions are only a starting point for achieving high-quality sound.
The app interface is divided into several thematic parts. In the left part there are two controls for working with the source signal - Input and Foundation. The first controls the level of the input signal, while the second controls the overall ratio of all frequencies in the mix. For example, Foundation values above zero will give the final master a more bottom-heavy sound, while positions below zero will bring the mids and highs to the fore.
The middle section of the interface is dedicated to equalization. The developers note that the algorithms are designed to improve the detail of mixes in the stereo field without excessive hum and turbidity. In addition, bx_mastering studio is equipped with filters, a mode to force the mix into mono, compression, saturation, de-essing and signal limiting settings.
Dirk Ulrich, the now retired founder of Plugin Alliance and Brainworx, noted on his Facebook page that the product was developed with his direct involvement. The former CEO also provided examples of how he uses the plugin for music mixing (images attached at the end of this post).
Today Plugin Alliance & Brainworx released another product that I have developed with the team before I left the company. And they made it FREE!
There is finally a Mac & PC version, and I have added screenshots of my personal START settings. Create a preset with these settings, save them in your app and have fun! I have mastered thousands(!) of songs with this app, and the original LA Standard preset (which I have developed with my friend and hero Howie Weinberg in LA back then...) is a little "too wide" for my current taste, and is a little bit over-pronounced in the low end. The new settings (see pictures) fix that.
Don't let anybody fool you, this is a tool that can get you professional results if used properly, I have released quite a few songs on streaming platforms using this app!
Also, occasionally I dial back the INPUT (to 0) and the LIMITER GAIN (to -2dB, then I bounce all my mixes with that magical glue that this app creates, and then I run all the mixes through OZONE by iZotope, where I am using the STABILIZER, CLARITY and MAXIMIZER modules to cook things really loud if needed.
- Dirk Ulrich, founder of Plugin Alliance and Brainworx
Brainworx bx_mastering studio is distributed via the developer's official website (not available in RF and RB without VPN). The program is compatible with Windows 10 and later, MacOS 10.15 and later (Intel/Apple). The installation package also includes plug-ins in VST3, AU and AAX formats.
Screenshots of Dirk Ulrich's settings:
