iZotope was previewing their updated version of Ozone at AES 2014 in Los Angeles and I had a chance to catch up with Evan Allen, Product Specalist at iZotope, who took us through a tour of the redesigned interface and all of the enhancements that have been added to this latest iteration of the software. Ozone 6 is now able to function as a stand-alone application, as well as a suite of plug-ins in your DAW of choice.
One of the strengths of Ozone has always been its dizzying array of amazing presets, and many more have been added to Ozone 6. The new interface provides a real time visual overview of each element that is affecting the signal that is passing through it. Similar to their RX restoration bundle this also comes as a standard or an advanced bundle. The advanced version adds a new Dynamic EQ module as well as iZotope’s Insight metering suite. I’m happy to see Insight included with their advanced bundles. It is a versatile and accurate meter with many useful features and presets. Insight is always on an output monitor path in my mix systems.
The Dynamic EQ which comes bundled as part of Ozone 6 Advanced is a four-band equalizer. It has the filter shaping of the EQ module however each band has its own dynamic setting similar to a multi-band compressor. However in this implementation the banding is extremely precise and will only apply dynamic control when the users thresholds have been met. These EQs in Ozone in general sound very nice, offer additional, new filter shapes, and can act in an analog manner or in surgical digital manifestations as well.
Ozone has been marketed as an all in one mastering solution, and with this latest version it is another leap forward to that end. Intuitive controls, now with a much improved user interface, and some nice additions to each of the modules, it is an essential piece of gear in any situation that will need advanced audio processing. And until mid-November 2014 iZotope are having a great sale to get new users started. Check out the demo here.
PVC at AES 2014 – IZotope from ProVideo Coalition on Vimeo.