Originally Posted By: Matt Finley
… for mastering I use CD Architect to assemble the tracks and burn the CD.

Whoa! There's a blast from the past. Does that still work? Good for you if it does. Pretty sure that Sony discontinued it years ago.

Originally Posted By: rayc
…
Ozone and other mastering suites aren't "references". …

I'm sorry but that's not correct. Ozone 9 most certainly can and iZotope has other tools that, when bundled makes such a reference even easier. They make it sound like all you need to do is hit a few buttons and everything come out perfectly — only if you want your mixes sounding like everyone else who pushed the same buttons (no, thank you).
Ozone 9, Pro Mastering Suite etc.

Not that old guys like I would ever use it for that. Again, I am current with everything iZotope is offering. I almost never use Ozone 9 Advanced but, when I need it, glad it's there. RX, OTOH is one of my absolute essential tools.

I don't know how many here have experience with a cutting lathe but I do. My ears are still the best weapons in my arsenal.

BIAB 2024 Audiophile Mac
24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5