I installed T-RackS 3 Deluxe into my Pro Tools computer and went to work fixing old demo recordings to repurpose them for use today. T-RackS 3 (in both standalone and plug-in versions) has the ability to configure mastering chains with up to 12 processors in parallel/series hookups. You can monitor the action with peak, RMS, phase and spectrum analyzer meters. There is also a perceived loudness meter that is a frequency-weighted level meter that reconciles level to actual loudness. This is something new in software processors and there are guides included that are calibrated for different music genres from Punk Rock to Classical.

There is a handy Compare function to hear the difference between the unprocessed sound and what T-RackS 3 is doing--it's better than a bypass button since you can adjust the levels to match and thus avoid the "its louder so it must be better" syndrome. I also liked the option to go super high fidelity with oversampling and high quality audio processing throughout the entire signal path. The ability to store four different processing chains and settings and then quickly compare without stopping the music is brilliant!

Version 3.01 (free update) now allows using IK's great Advance Room Correction software plug-in within the standalone T-RackS 3. You'll have corrected speakers and a more accurate listening environment for making mastering adjustments more precise than ever.