HOFA CD-Burn.DDP.Master vs WaveLab
HOFA CD-Burn.DDP.Master
hofa-plugins.de
WaveLab
steinberg.netSide by side
| Figure | HOFA CD-Burn.DDP.Master | WaveLab |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Audio Mastering Software | 8.2 (#6) | 8.3 (#3) |
| Founded | 1988 | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Karlsdorf, Germany | Hamburg, Germany |
| Intended users | HOFA describes the product for self-releasing musicians, audio engineers, mastering studios, and audiobook creators. | Steinberg describes WaveLab LE as suited to hobby musicians, home studio owners, freelancers, and podcasters. |
| Operating systems | The product page specifies macOS 10.13 or later and Windows 10 or later. | WaveLab 13 downloads are available for Windows 10 64-bit version 22H2 or newer, Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer, and macOS 14, 15, or 26. |
| Purpose | The app handles mastering and pre-mastering for CD, DDP, vinyl, and online distribution in one project. | WaveLab is an audio mastering and editing suite with audio editing, audio montage, batch processing, and spectral editing tools. |
| Support | HOFA lists weekday support by email at [email protected] and by telephone at +49 7251 3472-444. | Steinberg’s imprint says technical support is available only to registered users. |
Plans
WaveLab
- WaveLab LEFree
- WaveLab Elements 13$99.99, paid once
- WaveLab Pro 13$499.99, paid once
In their own words
HOFA CD-Burn.DDP.Master
HOFA CD-Burn.DDP.Master is a standalone mastering and pre-mastering application for CD, DDP, vinyl, and online distribution projects. It burns Red Book audio CDs and creates DDP images carrying CD-Text, ISRC, and EAN information. Editing includes cutting, trimming, fades, crossfades, and track metadata. Album sequencing, multi-CD projects, multi-session CDs, and batch processing are supported. Delivery options include DDP images, WAV, AIFF, MP3, and an iTunes itmsp package. HOFA plugins are included at no additional cost in the app, with automatable parameters, and the software connects to HOFA DDP Player Maker for client-review players. The standard edition does not list third-party VST3 or AU plugins, plugin-chain presets, clip-based plugin processing, or true-peak normalization; those are listed for PRO. It runs on macOS 10.13 or later and Windows 10 or later. The listed plan costs 89.90 EUR once, with a 14-day free trial and offline activation.
WaveLab
WaveLab is an audio mastering and editing suite for Windows and macOS. Its tools cover audio editing, audio montage, batch processing, and spectral editing, with multitrack editing, noise reduction, and video synchronization also listed. It supports VST 3 plug-ins from other manufacturers. The edition comparison lists podcasting integrations with SoundCloud, Spreaker, Podbean, Buzzsprout, and Castos, and says Pro and Elements can replace audio in video.
WaveLab Pro 13 includes Dolby Atmos mastering tools for ADM file editing, loudness control, and album assembly. It supports sample rates up to 384 kHz and more than 1,000 audio tracks; Elements 13 supports up to 96 kHz and eight tracks. Downloads are listed for Windows 10 64-bit version 22H2 or newer, Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer, and macOS 14, 15, or 26. The pricing note is From $99.99 · 60-day trial. A free WaveLab LE copy is available with qualifying hardware and a Download Access Code. The Pro trial requires signing in or creating a Steinberg ID.