steinberg mastering edition help?

The reason for my response was the fact that I suspected you didn't understand what a maximizer actually does. No offence.. ;/ Also, I rarely put money near my mouth as you can never be sure who's hand it's been in.. Try this instead...

A maximizer's evolution is confusing. It's best to consider the bare bones information as being the opposite of an Compressor. An Expander.

Explanders are used to increase the dynamic range in a similar way that Compressors reduce it. The volume from the lowest noise flaw point to the highest peak can therefore be
reduced or expanded with either tools.

""Boost", what exactly is being boosted, and how is it different to the normal gain control, when/why would you use it?"

You'd be adjusting the overall Boost over the threshold I suspect or the overall boost depending on whether you are using a Soft Knee Compression/Expansion or a Hard Knee Compression/Expansion.

"Soft/hard", what's being changed?

Soft and Hard refer to Soft or Hard Knee Compression/Expansion. Hard knee Compression/Expansion is where the signal is not affected unless it crosses over (or under) the user set threshold. Soft Knee is where the compression is gradual from 1:1 ratio to the set threshold so it's smoother.

"A/B", these appear to be presets.

Could be. Other than that, it could be so you can hear the original versus the effected signal. Essential in other words for Eq and effects alike.

"Density", maybe an enhancer, little or no audible change?

Quirky. I suspect that it's the ratio of the effect and/or the deepness of the effect when it's triggered.

Seriously, look up Compression/Expansion. You will get a grounding on what it's all about. I don't generally use Expanders as I think they are usually used to correct dynamic issues whilst recording and committing to tape whilst using dynamic devices like Compressors. They are also used for seperating the noise flaw from the highest peak of an audio documents signal. Compressors do the opposite..

Rimmer