From the mastering side of things comes SoundBlade 1.2, a specialized audio workstation for close-in waveform audio work under OSX. SoundBlade delivers its own audio engine, depending on CoreAudio only for playback, but supporting extremely high detail in the waveform data. This kind of detail applies to the task of mastering, where part of the job involves ensuring every digital "word" lies within range values that conform to CD (or other format) specifications. SoundBlade provides tools for fine control of Redbook CD imaging with all PQ subcode and indexing controls available in a unique interface. From Sonic Studio:

Feature Summary:

• Records 4 channel digital audio to 192k
• Real Time Multimode Editing
• Real Time Multimode Gain Adjustment
• Real Time Bounce/External Processing
• Real Time Host DSP: AU & VST
• 10x Red Book–Compliant CD-R Burn
• 10x DDP File Set Delivery
• 10x Freeze/Render to Disk
• Complete Premastering
• Background SRC
• Vive™ Restoration Suite Included
• Proprietary Shaped TPDF Redithering
• Multimode Waveform/Text View
• Core Audio I/O, including Pro Tools
• Optional Series 300 DSP Processors
• Optional DDP File Open
• Optional Sonic EQ native™
• Optional NoNOISE II™
• Optional reNOVAtor™

The 1.2 release incorporates hundreds of optimizations and stability enhancements as well as almost two dozen feature additions, including the highly anticipated 8 Channel option for surround work. Combining Sonic Studio's benchmark premastering functionality with the signal processing, restoration and comprehensive editing that discriminating mastering engineers have been asking for, soundBlade carries an economical MSRP of $1495.