Ozone 9 is finally here! And it’s called the mastering software, Ozone.

With the addition of AI functions from Ozone8, it has become a plug-in that can meet a wider range of needs from beginners to advanced users.

Among plug-ins, it may be said that it is the No.1 attention degree now.

This article reviews Ozone 9, how to use it, and explains the differences between the elements / standard / advanced. Please read the details below;

1. What is iZotope “Ozone 9”?

iZotope “Ozone 9” is a plug-in effect for mastering developed by iZotope.

iZotope can adjust the sound pressure etc. of 2 mix with the master of DAW.

Ozone has been equipped with AI functions since 8 and can meet a wider range of needs.

This effect is used not only for beginners but also by many professionals because of its high quality.

There are three types: Elements, Standard, and Advanced.

Stand-alone (can be launched as an app without DAW) is also possible with Standard or higher.

Development company	iZotope,inc.
Price (list price)	Ozone Elements 129USD Ozone 9 Standard 249USD Ozone 9 Advanced 499USD Tonal Balance Bundle 699USD (Ozone 9 Advanced, Neutron 3 Advanced, Nectar 3) Music Production Suite 3 999USD (Ozone 9 Advanced, Neutron 3 Advanced, Nectar 3, RX 7 Standard, VocalSynth 2, Insight 2, Exponential Audio NIMBUS, R4)
Number of effects	14
Release date	October 3, 2019

iZotope Ozone 9 ▶︎Plugin Boutique

▶︎PluginFox

▶︎Splice Plugins(Rent-to-Own)

▶︎Reverb.com

iZotope Tonal Balance Bundle ▶︎Plugin Boutique

▶︎PluginFox

▶︎Reverb.com

iZotope Music Production Suite 3 ▶︎Plugin Boutique

▶︎PluginFox

▶︎Reverb.com

2. AI function “Master Assistant” has evolved and explains how to use it.

Like the previous Ozone 8, Ozone 9 is also equipped with an AI function “Master Assistant”.

This feature makes it easy for beginners to master and saves a lot of time.

The AI function “Master Assistant” offers the following benefits:

Easy to mastering even for beginners
Since mastering is completed instantly, it takes less time
Balance and sound pressure similar to your favorite music

Basically, if you try to mastering, beginners will sound less powerful than professionals. However, if this function is used, mastering with sound pressure will be completed in an instant, making it a very appreciated feature for beginners.

But don’t rely too much, mastering with AI only has certain effects, so it’s not enough.

While learning mastering with “Master Assistant”, it is important to do it with your own hands at the end.

In Ozone 9, the Master Assistant has evolved!

The main points that have evolved are:

Can be processed by Vintage module
Sound pressure intensity can be selected even in streaming settings

We will introduce how it evolved along with how to use it.

After starting Ozone 9, select “Master Assistant” at the top and set three main steps.

STEP 1. Selectable modules Modern / Vintage

Modern

The effect is as follows in the same mode as Ozone 8.

Equalizer → Dynamics (adjusts the sound pressure of the bass / On or Off) → Dynamic EQ → Maximizer

Vintage

In the case of Vintage, it is mastering around the Vintage effects.

Equalizer → Vintage EQ → Vintage Comp (On or Off) → Vintage Limiter → Maximizer

STEP 2. Loudness & EQ

Select Manual or Reference.

Manual

Mastering according to the Ozone 9 manual.

The sound pressure intensity can be selected as Low < Medium < High.

Reference

By selecting a file (sound source), the same processing as that file is performed.

In the previous Ozone 8, it was possible to start and read files only from “Reference” in the lower right, but now it is now easier to read the reference in Master Assistant.

STEP 3. Select streaming or CD

Choose between streaming or CD.

CD has a higher sound pressure. To get the highest sound pressure, set the intensity to High and select CD.

In the previous Ozone 8, only the strength of the CD could be selected, but Ozone 9 can now select Low < Medium < High even when streaming.

3. Ozone 9 effects introduced and how to use

From here, I will briefly introduce each effect and explain how to use it.

If it is not a separate effect, the effect will be applied from left to right, and the effect can be added with +. Each has buttons for on / off, preset loading, solo, and delete. It is possible to change the order by drag and drop.

List of effects

Equalizer
Match EQ
Vintage EQ
Dynamic EQ
Dynamics
Vintage Comp
Vintage Limiter
Maximizer
Exciter
Vintage Tape
Imager
Spectral Shaper
Low End Focus
Master Rebalance

Equalizer

The equalizer is now only the spectrum screen (initial screen) and all-band screen (from the upper left sphere).

Digital and Analog can be selected from the top. You can also change Stereo, Mid / Side, and Left / Right.

If you place the cursor on the EQ line, it will become “+” and click to add a band.

In the case of the spectrum screen, the details of the band will be displayed by clicking the number of each band.

You can adjust Q by dragging “○” to the left or right.

Filter shape that can be selected in Digital and Analog changes.

Digital

Bell : Proportional Q, Bell, Band Shelf, Surgical

Low Shelf : Analog, Baxandall, Vintage, Resonant, Surgical

High Shelf : Analog, Baxandall, Vintage, Resonant, Surgical

Lowpass : Flat, Resonant, Brickwall, Surgical

Highpass : Flat, Resonant, Brickwall, Surgical

Analog

Bell : Proportional Q, Bell, Band Shelf

Low Shelf : Analog, Baxandall, Vintage, Resonant

High Shelf : Analog, BAxandall, Vintage, Resonant

Lowpass : Flat, Resonant, Brickwall

Highpass : Flat, Resonant, Brickwall

Surgical (extremely neat shape) can be selected only for Digital.

Digital can also select the band and adjust the phase from “ ▶︎ ”.

Normally, 0% and no phase shift, but adjustment is possible because pre-ringing (attack becomes unclear) occurs.

You can adjust Solo Q and Soft Saturation from the settings.

Match EQ

Previously Ozone 8 had this feature in Equalizer, but Ozone 9 has a different effect.

Play the sound source that you want to use as reference, press “Capture” on the left side, and stop with “Stop”.

Next, play the sound source you want to change, press “Capture” on the right, and “Stop” to end the capture.

Then, EQ is applied in the form close to the sound source to be used as a reference.

Smoothing adjusts the unevenness of the EQ, and Amount adjusts the gain.

The bandwidth to adapt from both ends can be adjusted after capture.

Notes on using Match EQ

Setting Smoothing to 0 seems to be complicated and fine EQ, but it is not a good setting. You will forcibly imitate different uneven songs. Set Smoothing to a large size and make it moderately uneven.

Vintage EQ

Like Ozone 8, it is designed based on Pultec EQP-1A and MEQ-5, which represent vintage EQ. The upper row is the model of EQP-1A, and the lower row is the model of MEQ-5.

The rounded part and the fan-shaped part represent the frequency, and it is possible to boost and cut that frequency. There are 6 bands in all.

Dynamic EQ

With an effect that adds an EQ and a compressor, you can not only boost and cut, but also reduce the level that exceeds a certain level with Threshould. This effect can be used to suppress excessive protrusions.

By selecting a band and pressing “ ▶︎ ︎”, you can adjust Attack, Release, and Offset (original gain).

Auto Scale determines Attack and Release according to the frequency of the band.

There are two types of “▲ (Up)” and “▼ (Down)” for each band.

When EQ is boosted

Down : Boosted dB is the default, and if it protrudes, it will be held down

Up : The default is 0dB (Offset), and it is raised up to the boosted dB up to the maximum.

When EQ is cut

Down : 0dB (Offset) is the default, and it can be lowered to a maximum of dB cut down.

Up : The cut dB is the default, and if it protrudes, it will be lifted up.

The following five filter shapes are available.

Proportional Q, Bell, Band Shelf, BAxandall Bass, Baxandall Treble

Dynamics

This is a multiband compressor. It is possible to divide up to 4 bands.

Upper crossover, gain reduction trace display, detection filter.

The lower band can display individual bands and all bands.

Up to 4 bands can be added with the upper +. The added band has a delete button at the bottom left. “Learn” in the upper right automatically adjusts the band when playing.

“Adaptive Release” adjusts the release automatically, “Auto” adjusts the gain automatically.

“Bands” links all band controls.

Vintage Comp

It is a feedback compressor (detects the output level) like an analog compressor. Gain reduction trace display and detection filter display are possible.

The detection filter has three filter operation points.

There are three modes: Sharp, Balanced, and Smooth.

Vintage Limiter

Like Ozone 8, this is modeled on the feedback-based Fairchild 670. You can choose from Analog, Tube and Modern.

Spectrum analyzer, gain reduction trace display is possible.

“Character” adjusts attack and release time from fast 0.00 to slow 10.00.

Maximizer

A total of five IRC (Intelligent Release Controls) allows you to get loudness without a sense of incompatibility.

IRCLL

Low latency version of IRC I

IRC I

Transients respond quickly and bass tones respond slowly.

IRC II

Similar to IRC I, but further optimized for transients, resulting in a sharp and clear sound image even with strong effects.

IRC Ⅲ

Version compatible with the strongest limiter. However, the CPU load is high.

There are 4 types, “Clipping” is the strongest limiter.

Pumping < Balanced < Crisp < Clipping

IRC Ⅳ

Analyze the sound of the overlapping instruments and apply the optimum limiter.

Classic : A version from the old Ozone

Modern : A modern version with great detail and clarity

Transient : Version that keeps transients as much as possible

Stereo Independence can be set to Transient and Sustain.

100% completely independent.

Use Transient Emphasis when you want to emphasize transients.

Exciter

This effect can be saturated with up to 4 bands.

There are 7 types : Analog, Warm, Retro, Tape, Tube, Triode, and Dual Triode.

There is a crossover display and a post filter.

Oversampling is a function that improves sound quality by processing at a higher sampling rate.

Vintage Tape

Vintage Tape inspired by STUDER A810 like Ozone 8.

Three speeds can be set 7.5ips, 15ips, and 30ips.

The degree of saturation can be adjusted with Input Gain.

Bias changes the shape of the distortion curve. Minus boosts high frequencies

Imager

An imager that can adjust the stereo effect of the mix. This is also adjustable with up to 4 bands.

In addition to three types of crossover, stereo width spectrum display, correlation trace display.

It is possible to judge the stereo feeling with the vectorscope on the right.

There are three types of vectorscopes: bipolar samples, bipolar levels, and Lissajous.

Adds a component that expands the stereo width with Stereoize. There are two types of Ozone 9: Mode I and II.

Imager is also available for free.

iZotope Imager 2

Spectral Shaper

This effect reduces noise generated by vocals. Action region and gain reduction trace display is possible.

The blue part is the band where the effect is reflected.

Strength can be selected.

Low < Medium < High

Low End Focus

This effect can control the low frequency range.

This effect is recommended because it is important to process bass, as sub-bass is popular in recent music.

The band can be set from 20Hz to 300Hz at the maximum, and you can select from two types: Punchy / Smooth. The higher the Contrast, the tighter the bass.

Punchy produces a particularly tight bass.

Press “Listen” to see how it changed.

Master Rebalance

An effect that increases the gain of vocals, bass, and drums from the master.

This is a great technology. I thought RX 7 technology was being used.

Simply select Vocals, Bass, Drums and increase the gain.

4. Difference between Elements, Standard and Advanced

Explain which elements, standard and advanced are better and which ones should be bought.

The most important differences between Ozone 9 Elements, Standard and Advanced are:

	Elements	Standard	Advanced
Dither			◯
Codec Preview			◯
Match EQ		◯	◯
Master Rebalance			◯
Low End Focus			◯
Tonal Balance Control 2			◯
Spectral Shaper			◯
Available as single plug-in		△	◯
Stand-alone		◯	◯

There are other differences as well, so please check the iZotope official page for details.

The conclusion is stated first. If you buy it, it is definitely an Advanced choice.

As you can see from the table, Ozone 9’s new effects Low End Focus and Master Rebalance are only available in Advanced.

In addition to these effects, there are three important functions that only Advanced has.

Dither

This function dithers the number of audio quantization bits.

Reduces degradation due to bit depth changes.

Codec Preview

This function compensates for data loss when converting to MP3 or ACC.

Tonal Balance Control 2

This is to add at the end of the master and check the overall balance. This is very convenient. When mastering, it is easy to get the wrong balance depending on the monitor environment and personal feeling.

Tonal balance control shows the correction point of the balance.