Slate Virtu Mastering Assistant vs. My Analog Chain: Real EDM Results

Ever wonder if online AI mastering like Slate Virtu can actually compete with a pro analog chain? I put it to the test with one of my latest NOS Recordings tracks so you can hear both side by side.

Setting up with Slate’s Virtu Assistant was straightforward: log in, upload, choose your sound profile (I picked EDM and maxed loudness for Beatport/club play), and select advanced options as needed. For a fair comparison, I kept most settings at default.

Once I’d run my master through both Virtu and my analog rack, I listened up. Virtu’s AI does a decent job: true peaks were controlled, the balance was clean, and the workflow is fast—perfect if you’re cranking out demos or work-in-progress mixes.

But in the A/B listen, my analog chain still delivered more punch, fullness, and that low-mid impact that keeps dance floors moving. Virtu’s version lost a bit of that “club weight”—loud but not quite as thick. For streaming or quick-release artists, Virtu’s convenience is hard to beat. But for releases where you want every detail to shine, analog analog engineering still wins out.

So, is Slate’s Virtu worth trying? Definitely for budget projects or references, and the results surprised me. But when it matters most, there’s a reason pro mastering engineers are still in business. Want to hear both? Watch my full test and let me know what you’d trust for your own releases!

Watch the full A/B Slate Virtu vs. analog mastering demo on YouTube, or find out about getting your music mastered for Beatport & Spotify by me!