Algorithmic online mastering - part 1

We have already written a lot about mastering, that is, the final processing of a piece of music before its publication, in “Młody Technika”. Now there are tools that allow you to carry out this process online, and additionally automatically, i.e. algorithm-based, without human intervention.

Until now, we have associated online mastering with studios that receive material via the Internet, process it, and then send it to the client for approval or possible correction. Now everything starts to change - the role of the mastering engineer is taken over by the algorithm, and in a few minutes the processed file can be processed.

Online mastering, as an obvious consequence of the growing role of the Internet in the music production process, has been controversial from the beginning. Even if we send files this way to reputable mastering studios, we are not involved in the actual mastering process, only being able to listen to one or two versions as part of a standard fee - we never know what happens to our music. . And wherever we have contact with a person, where there is an exchange of comments, there are proposals from both sides and it is clearly visible that someone is working on our music, it will always be more expensive there than in workshops working in “pay, send, get “format”.

Of course, it cannot be denied that modern algorithmic mastering, in which the engineer is replaced by a cold-blooded, calculating algorithm analyzing our material, offers convenience, anonymity, no tired ears, a weak day, and other things on the head.

Let's take a look at a few websites of this type that offer remote algorithmic mastering services.

maximum sound

Attempts to create automatically working online mastering services have already been made repeatedly, but with different results. Laurent Sevestre, founder of the MaximalSound.com platform, has been very successful in this regard. He created a software package based on an algorithm he developed that performs automatic mastering based on material analysis, harmonic extraction, 32-band dynamics processing based on booster compressors (with a negative Ratio setting) and a specialized limiter.

You can test the effects of the MaximalSound system yourself by sending a file to the company's website, after registering an email address. Processing takes several minutes, and then we can listen to samples in which the first five seconds is a fragment of the original, and the next part of the 30-second material is a piece after processing. If you like it, then we write off everything, paying through PayPal the amount of 2 euros for each started minute of the song. We can also buy one of four VIP packages, priced between 39 and 392 euros, covering between 22 and 295 minutes of mastering (the subscription is limited to twelve months). VIP package bonuses include the ability to send multiple files at the same time and increase the sample listening time to 1 minute.

The initial analysis of the material performed by the algorithm takes into account all the music, so if we want to test the operation of this platform, it is best to send the whole song, and not the quietest or loudest fragment of it. The material processed in MaximalSound sounds much louder, more expressive, more legible and details are emphasized very interestingly. It is ideal for headphones, laptops, and for quiet listening on small speakers, as well as large, high-quality listening kits.

LANDR

In the sky of online mastering, LANDR is a rising star and the company's operations are by far the most extensive in the industry. And no wonder, because there is much more money behind this than in the case of small, usually one-man companies that run a similar business. At LANDR, we have the momentum, the corporation, and everything we would normally expect from successful internet companies powered by the latest in marketing.

The user of the LANDR platform has a choice of three signal processing options, and this is information for the system, which thus develops its knowledge about the preferences of customers in relation to a certain type of music. Thus, the whole platform is improved. The adopted algorithms then serve as an element that forms the performance in relation to subsequent materials, etc. Therefore, LANDR, like MaximalSound and a number of other platforms, makes it possible to try out the operation for free, because only then can it be developed. It is to be expected that the effect of such an automatic intelligent algorithm will improve over time.

The fact that LANDR intends to work globally is evidenced by the fact that it is implemented on platforms such as SoundCloud or TuneCore, where musicians send their material and would like to receive the best quality. He also collaborates with DAW software makers (including Cakewalk) to implement his module in the streaming export option. We can make two songs a month for free, but the platform only offers free download in MP3/192 kbps format. For every other option, depending on his choice, we have to pay - 5 dollars. for MP3/320 kbps - $10. for WAV 16/44,1 or $20. for higher sampling and resolution. We can also use subscriptions. Basic ($6 per month) is an unlimited opportunity to download masters in MP3/192 kbps format. For 14 dollars. these files can be in MP3/320 kbps format for $39. within a month, besides MP3, we can also download the WAV 16/44,1 version. The 24/96 option is only available separately and is not part of any package. You have to pay $20 for each song here. If you decide to buy a subscription paid for a year in advance, we get a 37% discount, which still does not apply to files 24/96; Here the price is still the same - $ 20.

Masteringbox

Another platform operating in the algorithmic mastering market is MasteringBox.com. We can test the functionality of the application for free, but we will only download the WAV file after paying an amount from 9 euros (depending on the length of the song). An interesting feature of MasteringBox (already available in the free version) is the ability to set a target volume and use three-way correction and ID3 tagging. In the last two cases, you need to purchase the Pro or Studio variant. The first costs €9 per month, which gives you unlimited downloads of M4A and MP3 masters and three WAV masters. We will pay 39 euros per month for the extended Studio option. There are no restrictions on the number and format of files, and more than one person can use the services of the site. We receive a 30% discount on all payments for a year in advance.

The site is transparent, simple and easy to use, and for sharing information about its existence on FB or Twitter, we get a coupon for 5 euros. The sound seems a little more restrained than on MaximalSound, here the reference service, but the processing quality is quite decent. Interestingly, it is possible to adjust the volume, timbre and place tags in the file. In addition, the algorithm works quickly - in the case of a piece lasting 4 minutes, we do not wait for the effect for more than 30 seconds. You can revert to previously submitted files, but we cannot fix them. There is also no wider choice of formats than the standard ones, and the information posted on the site is extremely modest.

In the next part of our online review of algorithmic mastering platforms, we will introduce Wavemod, Masterlizer and eMastered, as well as present the findings of our tests of these services.