Thinking about getting a mastering app... What do you use?

[Phil O]

I just upgraded my iZotope Ozone to version 6. I was still on 3. This is a significant step up from version 3 IMHO. From just playing around a little, my first impression is that all the modules are much more transparent sounding. (Placebo effect? Dunno.) Also, the stand-alone version has SRC - a very nice addition. Upgrade price was $99. I don't know if they have any crossgrade offers.

Phil

[mikehalloran]

I just upgraded my iZotope Ozone to version 6. I was still on 3. This is a significant step up from version 3 IMHO. From just playing around a little, my first impression is that all the modules are much more transparent sounding. (Placebo effect? Dunno.) Also, the stand-alone version has SRC - a very nice addition. Upgrade price was $99. I don't know if they have any crossgrade offers.

Phil

I started with 3 also. I miss the Reverb module but otherwise like 6 a lot. A nice feature is that you can re-order the tools easily without having Advanced – this was a hidden feature in 5, not so in 6.

[musicman691]

I just upgraded my iZotope Ozone to version 6. I was still on 3. This is a significant step up from version 3 IMHO. From just playing around a little, my first impression is that all the modules are much more transparent sounding. (Placebo effect? Dunno.) Also, the stand-alone version has SRC - a very nice addition. Upgrade price was $99. I don't know if they have any crossgrade offers.

Phil

I started with 3 also. I miss the Reverb module but otherwise like 6 a lot. A nice feature is that you can re-order the tools easily without having Advanced – this was a hidden feature in 5, not so in 6.

When you went to O6 did you keep O5 on your system as well? I know several people that ahve done so just because of the reverb going missing in O6.

[mikehalloran]

When you went to O6 did you keep O5 on your system as well? I know several people that ahve done so just because of the reverb going missing in O6.

Oh yea, absolutely. The Room and Hall reverbs are favorites of mine and aren't found in anything else I own. I can make a living room demo sound like a live performance if the performance is up to shuff. Generally, I have to clean it in RX first, of course.

As long as Ozone 5 works, it's staying put.

[billf]

I miss the Reverb module but otherwise like 6 a lot. A nice feature is that you can re-order the tools easily without having Advanced – this was a hidden feature in 5, not so in 6.

I dislike the fact that they removed the reverb from ver. 6. I've tried using Eventide as a plugin in 6 to replace the missing reverb module, so maybe I'll get used to it. If not, I also have ver. 5 on my system.

[monkey man]

Assuming the reverb algorithms weren't jettisoned off into space, I'm having difficulty understanding why the company would drop such a popular feature of the app / suite / plug.

Anyone have a clue what the thinking was?

[bayswater]

Assuming the reverb algorithms weren't jettisoned off into space, I'm having difficulty understanding why the company would drop such a popular feature of the app / suite / plug.

Anyone have a clue what the thinking was?

Izotope wrote an essay on their decision. Reverb does not belong in mastering. At least not for the refined among us. No, I don't have a clue what the thinking was.

Designing a refined experience

One of the first hot topics to emerge, particularly after speaking with professional users, was the inclusion of a reverb in Ozone. The consensus was that a reverb feature seemed disjointed with the goals of not only the product, but of mastering audio in general. This would ultimately lead to a decision to remove the Reverb module from Ozone 6.

Traditionally iZotope has not cut features from products. Leaving a feature in, even if it diverges from a product's goal, seems easy enough — and at least the users who don't need the feature can simply ignore it. The danger in this approach, though, is that it quickly leads to bloated software. For Ozone 6, we were committed to designing a more refined experience that would guide and educate users through the various stages of mastering. From that perspective, presenting reverb as an equivalent tool alongside an equalizer and limiter did a disservice to our goals for Ozone specifically and to mastering in general.

To a similar end, we saw other features fall by the wayside as we continued down the path towards a streamlined experience. Our mission was to help our users better master their music by having easier access to the most relevant set of tools possible. This refinement process allowed us to bring a wealth of both new and established features out from hidden menus and right-clicks, so they could shine alongside the other essential Ozone tools.

[billf]

Assuming the reverb algorithms weren't jettisoned off into space, I'm having difficulty understanding why the company would drop such a popular feature of the app / suite / plug.

Anyone have a clue what the thinking was?

It's probably because removing key features is the modern definition of "upgrade." Less work for more money?

[monkey man]

Unbelievable.

I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief whilst I read that drivel. Thank you for posting it, Bays.

My solution? Bury it in a menu if you have to; that way it won't interfere with your precious "streamlined" experience.

[bayswater]

Unbelievable.

I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief whilst I read that drivel. Thank you for posting it, Bays.

My solution? Bury it in a menu if you have to; that way it won't interfere with your precious "streamlined" experience.

There go those better educated audiophiles again. They keep popping up around here.

[musicman691]

Assuming the reverb algorithms weren't jettisoned off into space, I'm having difficulty understanding why the company would drop such a popular feature of the app / suite / plug.

Anyone have a clue what the thinking was?

It's probably because removing key features is the modern definition of "upgrade." Less work for more money?

I don't have an exhaustive list but weren't there other features that were dropped in Ozone 6 besides the reverb? Amount control in individual modules I think was one.

[Killahurts]

I personally think their new "streamlined" interface is harder to use.. less intuitive and it looks like they went with the minimalist approach for the GUI.. like Apple, with my now stupid looking iPhone.

[mikehalloran]

I don't have an exhaustive list but weren't there other features that were dropped in Ozone 6 besides the reverb? Amount control in individual modules I think was one.

Amount control? I'm not following you.

Possibly because I use the Advanced version that breaks everything out into individual modules, I don't see what you are seeing.

One of the touted features is the ability to re-order the sequence of the tools in addition to making them active or not. Turns out that was also a feature of Ozone 5 but it was hard to find.

Weird Izotope's assertion that reverb isn't part of mastering. With acoustic recordings, it is usually my final step when I am going for the most natural sound.

[bayswater]

Amount control is like a wet/dry percentage for each module.

[billf]

I don't have an exhaustive list but weren't there other features that were dropped in Ozone 6 besides the reverb? Amount control in individual modules I think was one.

I'm not sure what "amount control" folks are referring to, but here is a screen shot of Ozone 6. That looks like "amount control" to me.