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What is the Mastering Tool Kit?
The Mastering Tool Kit—or "MTK" for short—is one of the
factory plug-ins that's included with the VS8F-3. The MTK is not
just one effect, but a powerful multi-processor that combines
several different effects under one hood.
The VS8F-3's Mastering Tool Kit as seen on a VGA display.
All of the MTK's effects are specially tailored for the sweetening
phase of the mastering process. These effects include:
•
a four-band equalizer—for adjusting a mix's tonality.
•
a bass cut filter—for removing unwanted low frequencies.
•
a stereo enhancer—for adding harmonics and sparkle to a
mix.
•
a multiband stereo expander—for emphasizing the dynamic
changes in a mix.
•
a multiband stereo compressor—for evening-out the
musical dynamics of a mix, adding tightness and punch.
•
a stereo limiter—to boost a mix's overall level and maximize
the signal.
•
a "soft clip" processor—that inhibits distortion and adds
analog-style warmth to a mix.
About the VS8F-2's MTK Processor
If you're an experienced V-Studio user, you're probably
familiar with the Mastering Tool Kit algorithm available on the
VS8F-2 Effects Expansion Board. Conceptually, the new MTK
is very similar to the old: They both contain the same types
of effects, and their intended usage is the same. However, the
VS8F-3's MTK provides the following benefits:
•
Enhanced sound quality—By taking full advantage of
the VS8F-3's powerful 56-bit, 96 kHz-capable processing
engine, the new MTK produces superlative audio quality.
•
A software plug-in style user interface—Like all of the
VS8F-3's effects, the new MTK's interface has the intuitive
look and feel of a software plug-in effect. If you have a
VGA-compatible V-Studio, you can use a mouse to access
all of the MTK's parameters at once on a connected VGA
display.
•
Informative displays—Level meter and graphic processing
displays give you excellent visual feedback about the
processing taking place inside the MTK.
If you don't own a VS8F-3 yet, you don't need to feel left out. Many of the
concepts presented in this booklet can be applied to using the VS8F-2's
MTK, as well as the MTK found in some of BOSS's BR-series recorders.
Using the MTK
To use the MTK, you'll want to insert it on the master bus in
the V-Studio's Mastering Room. This allows you to capture
your MTK-processed mixes as disk images that can be burned
onto an audio CD. For instructions on using the Mastering
Room, inserting effects, and opening the MTK for editing, see
the VS8F-3 Owner's Manual and the owner's manual for your
particular V-Studio.
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