I look at these new programs and think I'm seeing a differant language, what are these things? Better mouse traps? Are they better than what was happening before them?

I read about mastering programs and cringe, what are they selling mastering dreams made of smoke? Every home mastered project I've heard, in house, mostly sucks to me and come with qualifications, QUALIFICATIONS? I don't want excuses, I want to be blowen away with sonic excelance. I want to hear the quality I do on the radio, not an unreasonable repersentation. The only way I'm satisfied is with profesional help from a mastering lab.

Any way, where is enough? Now must I learn all this mastering stuff just to know what not to do? Lets see, I can spend a few hundred dollers for a program to use lots of times or just trust my mastering guy and pay him about $600.-800. to do a great job with a satisfaction guarnte, I have pushed that to the limit at differant points but end up with great sounds.

Now even in the recording end there is this new wave of programs that I'll have to learn, they don't seem any better than what I have, are they? Or is it just the consumer in me that thinks I'd better keep up with the new fashions in recording software?

I spent years learning the 'analog way', it used to confuse me with 36 inputs going to 20 tracks of 2". Now I look back and think it was heaven. Keeping track of digital numbers on one track is very confusing these days and I 'try' to keep it simple - SHEESH!

The tools you own have already proven to be beyond what's required to get stunning results. A great deal of the new gear would be redundant or a step backwards in your case.

Then again, this is the United States of Generica and only when you have purchased every available product will you achieve happiness in your life.

I liken it to this. I am a drummer and if you are a GOOD drummer you can make a 5 piece kit sing. If you are a crappy drummer and you have a 20 piece kit you will play the same thing over and over only on different objects. It sounds different but it's the same pattern.

The way I feel about your question is to look at these new programs as tools. If you are a furniture maker you will need your basic set up to get started i.e. mixer, tape machine/DAW, effects. Once you begin to specialize you narrow your tool selecction to choices that will allow you to make better furniture or music or tracks. In other words if buying a mastering program makes your work flow better or you become increadably skilled at it great, other wise leave it to a pro. Colaberation has pushed the the envelope. A second or third set of ears will hear things differently.

Don't get fooled by marketers. Do your research and make sure any purchase for anything these days is right for you and your situation.

If you can make furniture with a moxer, tape machine/DAW and effects I would love to see what you could make with a hammer and screwdriver!