Amongst audio engineers in Poland, a “Bettermaker” was simply any device being able to improve the sound quality. And “Bettermaker” as a company name sounds quite self-confident, doesn't it? This was actually intended by founder Marek Walaszek. He claims that the name, being a bit “cocky and bold”, would surely make people talk about it. And that's free marketing after all! But we at KMR Germany are pretty sure the company could have used almost any name – the concept and the sound are definitely convincing anyway.
There is nothing like analog circuits. On the other hand, even some owners of high-class analog outboard gear hesitate to use it frequently. This is mainly because if you are working mainly in the box and are used to plug-in-workflow, you could be used to that workflow. And: Usually, you get neither automation nor total recall with analog processors.
Bettermaker products are actually making something better: The signal path is 100% analog. But all units are being digitally controlled. That doesn't mean they are plain black boxes: All processors can be controlled via computer (USB) or on the frontplate!
Well that sounds strange at a first blush. Nevertheless, this is a core statement! Bettermaker mainly relies on touch screens to enable users to alter the parameters of their Mastering Limiter, Mastering Compressor and Mastering Equalizer. Touch screens are inexpensive, you say? That's correct! Bettermaker deliberately chose not to spend too much budget on controls. Otherwise endless dials, push elements, LEDs and so forth would be necessary for an digitally controllable, analog processor. But they are really expensive. Touch screens are cheaper, easy to use, give visual feedback and allow upgrades in functionality. And because Bettermaker does not blow enormous budget on control hardware, the are free to build the analog audio path without any compromises whatsoever. The result are top-notch mastering audio processors with outstanding sonic quality at a fraction of a cost of comparable high-end-effects. We call that a clever concept!
What also saves Bettermaker money – and consequently you – is the fact that the Mastering range shares more or less the same housing and technical basis. The Bus Compressor and the Stereo Passive Equalizer feature a smaller parameter set, thus they do not need a screen or huge amounts of knobs.
Bettermaker processors are on the rather clean, transparent and precise side. The Mastering Limiter offers accurate colour options (k2, k3), though. What's often stated by our customers is that they love the way the processors react in regards to dynamics, impulses and detail.
There is always the possibility to use MS instead of LR stereo in Bettermaker's mastering units. And it's even more: The processors are armed to the teeth with functions and possibilities. Feedback or feed froward, spectrum analysis, side-chain filtering… to name but a few.
|
Product |
Details |
|---|---|
| Mastering Equalizer | parametric EQs, cut filters, stereo/MS etc. |
| Mastering Compressor | VCA-style, Stereo/MS, RMS/peak, Feedback/Feed-Forward, Sidechaining, Dry/Wet |
| Mastering Limiter | Stereo/MS, integrated EQ, colourisation, metering/analyzing |
| Stereo Passive Equalizer | simpler, but still extraordinary passive equalizer |
| Bus Compressor | simpler, but still high quality VCA compressor |
| EQ232D | plug-in recreation of the Mastering Compressor, all standard formats |