You may remember that I produced the Pro-Codec Explained video training series for Groove 3 back in May. This is an amazing plug-in that enables you, for the first time ever, to monitor in real time, the encode-decode process for producing perceptually encoded audio files like mp3 and AAC.
This takes the guess work out of producing thse kind of files. Before the Pro-Codec plug-in, you had to encode your carefully crafted mixes blind and then play them back to see if they sounded OK. If they didn’t you had to make some adjustments, using educated guesswork, and try again.
One of the biggest issues that the Pro-Codec plug-in has resolved is the headroom problems of the encode-decode process. Before the Pro-Codecplug-in I would produce a file with a maximum level of -3dBfs so that I would be ‘safe’ when encoding it into an mp3 or AAC format file. Now I don’t need to, I can monitor through the Pro-Codec plug-in and the plug-in warns me of headroom problems and enables me to adjust the encode process with one click to make sure that the file is perfect. You cannot do this with any other software, never mind a plug-in built into Pro Tools. Another unique feature is the Difference button that enables you to hear in real time what the encode process is taking out of your mixes to make the files smaller.
This plug-in couldn’t have come at a better time, as more and more content is delivered ‘on line’ using perceptually encoded files to keep a lid on bandwidth and consumer storage. After all you wouldn’t get many albums on your mp3 player if they were uncopressed WAV files!
Add to this the “Mastered for iTunes” route and surely Sonnox’s Pro-Codec plug-in has to be an essential plug-in in your tool kit to prepare your masters for online delivery. Here is a sample video for the series to wet your apetitie…
So its really good news that Groove 3 and Sonnox are offering a 50% discount on my Sonnox Pro-Codec Explained series from Groove 3. Click here to watch three of the episodes for free, then claim 50% off the full tutorial and all Groove 3 videos with promo code:sonnox50. (offer ends August 31st!)
If you haven’t got the Pro-Codec plug-in then there is a 15 day demo available from Sonnox as well. Enjoy….