Izotope or Soundsoap?...

[DJeff]

Hi guys,

I'm about to get an audio restoration software, I'm looking at Izotope RX and Bias Soundsoap... Izotope looks more flexible but is almost more expensive...

It's mainly for video post-production work and I'm looking for something that would work well within DP. Any thoughts?

Cheers

[Frodo]

There are one or two members here using iZotope who might chime in. From what I've heard, the new version is great.

There are two sides to the cost question. If the cheaper one doesn't do it for you, then it will feel more like a lesson in futility than a lesson in frugality. Hopefully, RX2 and Soundsoap users will chime in here with first-hand reports.

But-- Both Soundsoap and iZotope have downloadable demo versions! I can't imagine a better way to get your flippers wet than trying them both out for free.

[monkey man]

Flippers, eh Fwoggy?

[dave pine]

rx is amazing, and there's a new version out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im2b--e7xCA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Phil O]

I've got the low-end version of each, so I can't speak for their top-of-the-line products. Sound Soap is certainly easy to use with it's simplicity of controls, but RX blows it away in terms of features. I've used both at times (and they both do the job), but when I need the big guns, I reach for RX.

Phil

[Frodo]

Flippers, eh Fwoggy?

In your honor!

I've got the low-end version of each, so I can't speak for their top-of-the-line products. Sound Soap is certainly easy to use with it's simplicity of controls, but RX blows it away in terms of features. I've used both at times (and they both do the job), but when I need the big guns, I reach for RX.

Phil

Phil-- do you think you'll upgrade to RX Pro at some point? I'm tempted to get the starter kit.

[DJeff]

Thanx guys,

Think I'll go with Izotope...

Cheers

[Phil O]

Phil-- do you think you'll upgrade to RX Pro at some point? I'm tempted to get the starter kit.

Just got an upgrade offer from iZotope. RX2 for $149 (reg $349); RX2 Advanced for $499 (reg $1199). Offer good through Oct 31. I'm replacing a blown amp section in my Adam Sub at the moment and kind of stretched for cash, but I'm tempted.

Phil

[Frodo]

RX2 Advanced for $499 (reg $1199).

That's a pretty good upgrade price. My entry price for Advanced would be $749, but I'm thinking Standard at the moment, but I'm shamefully bereft of restoration these days.

Thanks for the info. I can get Standard for $249 this month.

Hmmmmmmmm....

[mhschmieder]

I haven't touched SoundSoap since delving into RX. I tried a demo of the Pro version of SoundSoap, which is way better, but has a fiddly interface that is hard to use with precision (quite important in restoration work). I haven't tried the recent update though, and it gets good reviews. It does have some unique strengths, like most of the restoration programs.

My big issue with SoundSoap (the cheap version) is that the de-hummer didn't work independently of the other features, despite what the manual says. I reported this as a bug but don't know if it was ever addressed.

I did a fair number of direct comparisons between the two -- including the Pro version of SoundSoap -- and felt that, on the whole, RX does a more thorough and transparent job. But it should be pointed out that I did NOT throw any vinyl sources its way. It may be that SoundSoap Pro is the better choice for restoring vinyl, but the OP is interested in restoration of audio-for-video so I think RX gets the vote.

[hammerman]

iZotope RX2 is miracle software. It is the second most important piece of software I own. (Guess what the first is? ) I just upgraded from RX1 Basic to RX2 Advanced. Lots of reasons to go with Advanced. Discounted this month only so I would grab it. Spectral Repair is just amazing. And now I have Radius for much better time compression/expansion tools. DP's is great but limited on complex sources like piano or a whole mix. That's where Radius comes in. And now the selection tools or so much better. I could go on and on but just check it out. And no, I don't work for them!

[dave pine]

what are the reasons to go advanced? i think the new tools come with the new version.
and what does rx 2 have that rx 1 didn't have besides the tools?

[hammerman]

They have a comparison popup on this page:
http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/rx/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wanted:
- Radius time/pitch control
- Deconstruct module separates tonal elements from noisy elements and lets you rebalance them like a breathy flute or sax or voice
- more options in denoiser (like adaptive mode)
- multi-resolution options in Spectral Repair which I use all the time, basically better control and can do a better job depending on source material
- 3rd party plug-in support (not a deal clincher for me but may prove interesting for sound design or if I want to use a Waves plug-in to correct something)
There's other stuff as well. There is a bigger difference between Basic and Advanced compared to version 1.

[monkey man]

Flippers, eh Fwoggy?

In your honor!

Fluffy, the only honorable one around here is you; I'm just a punk with toilet water behind his ears.

[Phil O]

...I'm just a punk with toilet water behind his ears.

So why can't you be more like your cousin Guido?