Brainworx bx_masterdesk vs Tunr

Brainworx bx_masterdesk is a mastering plugin for musicians working on their own material. Its analog-style system organizes processing into Volume, Foundation, and Tone Stack controls, with a Dynamic Range VU meter for adjusting loudness while considering sound quality. Other controls include a mastering de-esser, compressor mix, stereo width, and Mid/Side enhancement. The product page also lists Brainworx Tolerance Modeling Technology and an extensive preset list. It supports AAX AudioSuite, AAX DSP, AAX Native, AU, VST2, and VST3 on macOS and Windows. Listed systems include macOS 13 through 26 and Windows 10 through 11, with Intel or Apple Silicon Macs and x64-compatible PCs. Minimum requirements include 2 GB RAM and a display resolution of 1440 × 900px or 1280 × 960px or higher. The plugin is paid from $14.99/mo and has a 14-day trial that begins at first launch in a DAW. Plugin Alliance also lists CORE at $14.99 per month and PRO at $29.99 per month.

Tunr is a desktop audio mastering app for macOS and Windows. It analyzes tracks and creates genre-aware masters on the user’s computer, with no internet connection needed for mastering. Auto mode applies a mastering chain; Reference mode uses a chosen track to match tone, dynamics, and loudness. That mode accepts WAV, FLAC, and MP3. Its A/B Mixer supports equal-power crossfades, null and blind tests, loudness matching, and listening in stereo, mono, mid, or side. Batch mode processes queued tracks in sequence with shared settings and saves each result as it finishes. Without a licence key, the free plan renders three masters per machine; mixer comparisons and analysis do not count toward that limit. A free licence key provides unlimited masters on two machines. Tunr is standalone, not a DAW plugin. It supports macOS 11 or later on Apple Silicon and Intel, plus 64-bit Windows 10 or later. The maker says files are never uploaded and the app has no usage telemetry or third-party trackers.