The Limitations of Soundgoodizer in Mastering and the Best Practices for Professional Sound

Soundgoodizer is a popular audio effect within FL Studio, known for its ease of use and ability to quickly improve the sound of tracks. However, while it's a valuable tool for mixing, it should not be relied upon for mastering. This article explores the pros and cons of using Soundgoodizer for mastering and provides guidance on the best practices for achieving a professional sound.

Pros of Using Soundgoodizer

One of the main advantages of Soundgoodizer is its simplicity. It is very user-friendly, allowing users to enhance their tracks with minimal effort. Soundgoodizer can add warmth, brightness, and presence to a mix, making it sound more polished and professional. It is particularly useful for quick adjustments and can be very helpful for demo tracks or less critical mixes.

Cons of Using Soundgoodizer for Mastering

While Soundgoodizer offers some benefits, it falls short in several key areas that are crucial for mastering. The most significant limitation is its limited control. The plugin is essentially a knob for intensity, which restricts the ability to make precise adjustments. Additionally, mastering requires a combination of EQ, compression, limiting, stereo widening, and more, which Soundgoodizer does not provide. This can lead to overprocessing or overcoloring of the mix, resulting in a final product that sounds overly processed or colored.

Best Practices for Mastering with Soundgoodizer

While it's important to recognize the limitations of Soundgoodizer, it can still be a helpful tool when used correctly. It should be used in conjunction with other mastering tools and techniques to ensure a balanced and polished final product. Mixing engineers should consider using dedicated mastering plugins or a combination of EQ, compression, and limiting to refine the sound and achieve the desired balance.

Another key point to consider is that using the same 4 presets of Soundgoodizer for mastering every track is not a good practice. Each mix has its own unique dynamics and requires individual attention. Using a single plugin with limited options for adjustments can result in a one-size-fits-all approach that may not be effective for every track. Maximus, the parent plugin of Soundgoodizer, offers more extensive control and flexibility, allowing users to fine-tune their mixes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Soundgoodizer can be a valuable tool in your mixing or mastering chain, it should not be relied upon as the sole method for mastering. It is best used in conjunction with other tools and techniques to achieve a professional sound. For mastering, it is recommended to use dedicated mastering plugins, such as multi-band EQ, compression, and limiting, to ensure your final product is balanced and polished.