ProAudio Review - October 2008 - (Page 30) STUDIO | REVIEW by Alex Oana tence as it resets the current module. One hundred levels of undo within the plug-in more than made up for the annoyance. F1 takes one directly to online help. On initial instance, Ozone’s extensive preset menu appears. I typically have a specific task in mind when I reach for a plug-in, so I’m not likely to first try a preset. Yet the manufacturer’s presets can educate as to how the designers intend one get the most out of the software. To start with a blank screen, uncheck the box “Show at Startup” under the preset menu. iZotope Ozone 3 Analog Mastering System Ozone 3 is the fullest-featured, highest quality DAW mastering — at an unbeatable price Even though I had never personally used it, two of my music-making buddies purchased Ozone — iZotope’s inexpensive doit-all mastering suite — on my recommendation, which was based on both what I had heard about it and its low price. I reasoned Ozone’s powerful presets would quickly carve their creations into convincing masters. Dan Comerford of the San Diego band Lucy’s Fur Coat has been sending me mastered versions of his demos ever since, reporting on his explorations into the intricacies of Ozone along the way. I never pictured Ozone 3 Dynamics using it myself, as an under-$200-street plugin “couldn’t possibly be as professional as the tools I was already using.” But iZotope, I misjudged you. I found that just as ozone in the upper atmosphere filters out potentially damaging ultraviolet light, iZotope’s Ozone, when used properly, can rescue our ears from potentially uninteresting sound. How can a computer plug-in be called an “analog mastering system?” The EQ has an analog mode and the multiband harmonic exciter section offers tape, tube, and “retro” emulations. I’m excited that all processing is done in the 64-bit domain and buoyed by iZotope’s claim that artifact problems associated with chaining together separate plug-ins are eliminated. I believe this is due to two factors: 1.) Ozone’s three multiband modules use the same crossover network and settings, and 2.) Once the signal is converted to 64-bit, it does not have to be re-dithered until the final output. FEATURES Ozone is divided into 6 processing modules: EQ, reverb, multiband dynamics, exciter, and imaging, and loudness maximizer. Menus allow for adjustment of sonic parameters, metering, and other behaviors. The Graph menu gives access to signal chain order as if each module were a separate plug-in. Ozone’s GUI usurps some of the computer keyboard’s function keys. F5, which is regularly used to engage the zoom tool in Pro Tools, became the accidental bane of my exis- Ozone 3 Equalizer Modeled after mastering grade, valvetype analog equalization, Ozone’s analog EQ mode offers a gorgeous sound, while linear phase digital EQ offers transparency. This is amongst the finest plug-in EQs I’ve heard. The equalizer encourages broad strokes, but learning the modifier keys is a must for micro adjustments. Filter types and values for the eight bands can be entered manually via the “Show Info” menu. The EQ snapshot menu stores favorite settings and target and source curves for the outstanding EQ matching function. In the past I’d resisted this copycat trick on some stubborn principal. Ozone presented me with my first opportunity to check it out. IN USE The first step is to find a track embodying the spectral target you want to hit. The target material chosen will have the greatest effect on the outcome. More than 8000 linear phase EQ frequency bands are available to match source to target spectrum. For my test, I selected three very different pop/rock songs. Number one was an un-mastered Just Jinjer song I had mixed a couple years ago. The Dandy Warhols tune I referenced during my mix seemed the ideal EQ target candidate, but the tone of the verses and choruses were so different between the songs, EQ matching didn’t sound right. A solution could be to match verses separately from choruses. My second source was a Kid Dakota track I APPLICATIONS Studio, project studio, mastering, audio for broadcast FEATURES 6 processing modules for audio mastering: EQ, reverb, multiband dynamics, exciter, and imaging, and loudness maximizer. PRICE $249 list Contact: isotope | ¤ 617-577-7799 | · www.izotope.com 30 | ProAudio Review | October 2008 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.izotope.com http://www.proaudioreview.com
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