Error-checking your masters (Mac)

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Alright, I feel kinda stupid for asking this. There are (oh well, WERE) Plextor drives and PlexTools for the PC to check errors with, but what the hell are you Mac-based ME's using for it? A dedicated PC with a second-hand Plextor drive? Right now I'm stuck with no way to check for errors and I'd like to change it ASAP.

I hope there are still some of the pros around who frequently master albums on a commercial level. Waltz? Orgone? Andy?

 

[jipchen]

Are you currently reading bob katz' book? I asked myself the same question a few days ago, I hope someone can help.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Are you currently reading bob katz' book? I asked myself the same question a few days ago, I hope someone can help.

Mastering Audio? I've read it some years ago, but not currently reading It wouldn't hurt to give it another go, though, excellent book!

 

[Melodeath]

All my masters have just been 16-bit wavs I send to the label or artist, who send it to the pressing plant.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

All my masters have just been 16-bit wavs I send to the label or artist, who send it to the pressing plant.

I'm talking about a real RedBook-format master CD, not just the song files.

Anyone?

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Do you burn them with Waveburner? Since I switched to Mac I was missing this too, but I never ever had any return or complain from any factory, so I guess all is good. I send two CDs to the factories, burnt at different speeds.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Do you burn them with Waveburner? Since I switched to Mac I was missing this too, but I never ever had any return or complain from any factory, so I guess all is good. I send two CDs to the factories, burnt at different speeds.

I use Bias Peak, late 2009 iMac drive and Sony AudioCD-R's. Never had any complaints either, but I'd feel a lot better if I could be sure

So far my only solution seems to be either getting an external enclosure, hunt down an old Plextor drive and bootcamping to Windows, or finding an old cheap PC and a Plextor drive. Either way I this feels really ass-backwards, as the reason I originally went Mac was because my audio work, and I really, REALLY don't want to shed cash on a Windows license only for this.

I hugely appreciate your work, though, so at least I can feel a bit more confident with my current workflow now!

EDIT: On a side note, Peak asks whether the disk should be error-checked after burning, but apparently it can't do it with this drive. Bummer.

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

So far my only solution seems to be either getting an external enclosure, hunt down an old Plextor drive and bootcamping to Windows, or finding an old cheap PC and a Plextor drive. Either way I this feels really ass-backwards, as the reason I originally went Mac was because my audio work, and I really, REALLY don't want to shed cash on a Windows license only for this.

Do you know Crossover?

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Do you know Crossover?

Seems like something worth checking out, thanks. I've used Wine with a couple of converting tools not available for Mac and they've worked pretty well. It's just the whole idea of being dependent on Win software that irks me, considering I paid considerable amounts to work on the platform that should be the Holy Grail of audio production

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Maybe there are no error-checking softwares on Mac because there are no errors possible on this platform! (joking)

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Maybe there are no error-checking softwares on Mac because there are no errors possible on this platform! (joking)

My God, the answer was right in front of me the whole time!

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Great news, I just found out the new Plextor drives come with a software called PlexUtilities, which apparently is capable of performing the same error checking as the old PlexTools. The last external drive on their site (http://www.plextoramericas.com/index.php/dvd-rw/external-dvd-rw) even says "For Mac", so I'm guessing the software runs natively on a Mac, too.

I think this'll be my next purchase, whoo!

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Meh, no PlexUtilities for Mac after all. Maybe I should just go all DDP...

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Not all factories accept DDP.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

Not all factories accept DDP.

Yeah, and the DDP add-on for Peak is $399, so I might as well grab a copy of Logic and use Waveburner instead.

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

I know Andy uses it too. Can't be a bad sign

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

I know Andy uses it too. Can't be a bad sign

Yeah Unfortunately, when you buy Waveburner, you get a horribly irrational DAW application as well, and I have no use for it

 

[greyskull]

Yeah Unfortunately, when you buy Waveburner, you get a horribly irrational DAW application as well, and I have no use for it

so so true.
I think i love you a little for that!

 

[jipchen]

There's still Wavelab..

By the way, what's wrong with Logic? I have Cubase, Pro Tools and Logic and it's by far the best DAW - for my workflow at least.
Especially recording guitars,bass and vocals is just 100times faster than in Cubase. The Comping and folder function is awsome for piecing together different takes.
It took me a lot longer in every other DAW.
And mixing is really more comfortable than i.e. ProTools.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

There's still Wavelab..

By the way, what's wrong with Logic? I have Cubase, Pro Tools and Logic and it's by far the best DAW - for my workflow at least.
Especially recording guitars,bass and vocals is just 100times faster than in Cubase. The Comping and folder function is awsome for piecing together different takes.
It took me a lot longer in every other DAW.
And mixing is really more comfortable than i.e. ProTools.

It was a joke, let's not get into this debate What I meant was it's bullshit that Waveburner can't be purchased separately anymore, as it's one of the most used mastering applications out there.

Wavelab is great, but 620€ is way too steep for me, unfortunately :/

so so true.
I think i love you a little for that!

<3