iZotope has updated its Ozone 5 mastering effects suite to version 5.03.
iZotope’s complete mastering system in a single integrated plug-in includes eight essential mastering tools: Maximizer, Equalizer, Multiband Dynamics, Multiband Stereo Imaging, Post Equalizer, Multiband Harmonic Exciter, Reverb, and Dithering.
Ozone 5 Advanced adds seven additional component plug-ins, extended features in every module, and a comprehensive suite of configurable meters.
Changes in Ozone v5.03
Plug-in formats: Added AAX Native support for Pro Tools 10.
Operating systems: Added Windows 8 support.
Operating systems: Added OS X 10.8 support.
Feature enhancement: Changed wording of “Match From” to “Reference” for the Matching EQ.
[Ozone Advanced] Fix: Improved Host Bypass communication for component plug-ins (Advanced feature only).
Ozone 5 for Windows and Mac is available to purchase for $249 USD (Ozone 5) / $999 USD (Ozone 5 Advanced).
Terry West has released the SJoe dualband stereo enhancer and AirCiter exciter effect plugins for Windows.
SJoe and AirCiter VST effect plugins by Terry West.
Features
SJoe – Based on Side (ms) parallel widening without loss of the mid signal gain. Independed controls for mid/high crossovers with Solo listen. Full mono compatible.
AirCiter – Adds sheen and air to vocals, overheads etc. Also includes a widening fx for the processed signals (stereo bus/insert only). Can be used as a insert or as send effect. Note: this plugin does not use the common exciter approach.
Both plug-ins are available to download for Windows (VST) at no charge. Donations are appreciated.
Variety Of Sound has introduced Thrillseeker XTC, a freeware exciter effect plugin, developed for the KVR Developer Challenge 2012.
Thrillseeker XTC is a contemporary exciter build around a true parallel analog style equalizer design. Thrillseeker XTC is all about adding weight, vibe and attitude back to the sound. It delivers all the character of an analog signal path and provides what digital processing usually is hard pushed to, including a rich low-end experience and that vibrant ‘expensive’ top-end.
Thrillseeker XTC was made for musicians and engineers to pleasingly enhance audio during the mixing or mastering stage.
Thrillseeker XTC features
Three parallel coupled equalizers containing three stateful saturators.
Each based on a sophisticated non-linear and frequency dependent algorithm with memory.
Pre-selected frequency ranges
LOW band: 70-450Hz
MID band: 0.8-5kHz
AIR band: 3.2-18kHz
Two flavors included with different internal gain-staging
Black version to mix at rather conservative levels around -18dB RMS.
Blue version to mix towards hotter target levels.
Additional analog signal path idiosyncrasies modelled.
Classic VU style metering as well as loudness unit measurements based on ITU-R BS.1770.
Mix control for dry/wet mixing and output level control.
Win32 / VST compatible plug-in with SSE2 assembler optimized signal path.
Tested and known to work in many VST hosts as well as running jbridge wrapped in 64bit hosts.
The Thrillseeker XTC plugin for Windows (VST) is available from KVR Audio.
Mildon Studios has announced the release of its Bluemix and Redmix effect plug-ins for Windows.
Bluemix combines smart EQ, auto compression, and hi-frequency excitation into one easy-to-use plugin.
Redmix puts your tracks on a virtual stage, allowing you to pan from left to right and front to back. It makes effective use of Haas principles combined with spectral shaping and room reverb to create space in the mix.
Get your tracks to sit with Bluemix and then move them around with Redmix.
Bluemix / Redmix features
Bluemix
Smart EQ: Trim, Tighten, Tame.
Auto Compressor: Push.
Gain Reduction Meter.
Exciters: Enhance, Define.
Remix
2-Dimensional Panning (L-R + F-B).
Automatic Haas Effect.
Room Control.
The plug-ins for Windows (VST) are available to purchase for $19 USD each, or bundled for $28.50 USD.
iZotope has announced the release of the next generation of Alloy, a forward-thinking mixing suite that combines six essential tools in one self-contained and completely configurable plug-in.
A modern twist on classic mixing, Alloy 2 takes the traditional channel strip and brings it into the future with powerful sound-shaping tools, exceptional sound quality, and a streamlined workflow. Thoughtfully designed for mixing purposes across the music, audio, post and broadcast industries, Alloy 2 is perfect for engineers, musicians, and producers looking to sculpt their sound while addressing common mix issues.
“Whatever the track, Alloy 2 provides a wealth of tools that give you both corrective and expressive control over your audio while mixing. We went out of our way tocreate a tool that not only raises the bar sonically, but also enables engineers to achieve a desired sound simply and efficiently with a more seamless workflow,” says Brett Bunting, Alloy Product Manager. “Those who havenever used Alloy before will be amazed by the number of mixing solutions contained within a single plug-in, while users of Alloy 1 will be struck by how much we’ve managed to add and enhance while still improving usability.”
Alloy 2′s new Overview Panel: A simplified view where you can easily monitor and tweak relevant settings of the currently-enabled Alloy modules. Panel also updates instantly while previewing presets, highlighting the modules and settings used by each.
Alloy 2 features
Get six powerful tools in one integrated plug-in: Equalizer, Dynamics, Exciter, De-Esser, Transient Shaper and Limiter.
Achieve exceptional sound quality, balancing vintage emulation with digital precision.
Hear results immediately with zero latency performance, whether tracking in real-time or in the midst of a mix session.
Visualize mixing decisions with rich meter displays to guide the way.
Start fast, then go deep with over 250 presets and a tweaker’s paradise of advanced controls.
What’s New for Alloy 2?
Fans of Alloy 1 will benefit from Alloy 2’s sonic enhancements, highlights of which include a redesigned Exciter module, a revamped multiband Transient Shaper, a host of new EQ filters, including Treble and Bass Baxandall filters, and more. Alloy 2 users will also click less to achieve more thanks to both a fully overhauled user interface, enlarged to make more controls accessible, and a new Overview panel that dynamically adjusts to show only the most relevant settings of the modules in play.
With low CPU usage and zero latency operation, Alloy 2 can be used again and again across a wide range of tracks and buses, making it a perfect mixing complement to iZotope’s flagship mastering suites, Ozone 5 and Ozone 5 Advanced. To this end, Alloy 2 also features an internal Meter Tap, which provides immediate visual feedback from Alloy 2’s tracks and buses in the Ozone5 Advanced Meter Bridge.
Overview of iZotope’s Alloy 2 Essential Mixing Tools.
Alloy 2 is available to purchase for the introductory price of $149 USD until September 6th, 2012 (regular $199 USD /159 EUR). iZotope customers who purchased Alloy 1 on or after June 27, 2012 will receive a free upgrade to Alloy 2 upon release. A special upgrade price of $79 USD will be available for all Alloy 1 customers who purchased before June 27, 2012.
Tone2 has announced the release of AkustiX Enhancer version 1.1, including major enhancements in sound quality, performance, lower latency, per channel insert support and 64 bit Mac versions.
AkustiX Enhancer is a collection of enhancement effects designed to complement the mix and mastering process. Combined into an intuitive user interface AkustiX offers six powerful mixing effects: Psycho EQ, Stereo Width, Ultra Stereo, Phase Enhance, Multi-Exciter and Smart Filter.
Each effect is based on the latest developments in psycho-acoustic research and offers multiple ways to customize your recordings by using psycho-acoustic processing to further shape and enhance your sound.
Tone2 AkustiX Enhancer – 6 effects to complement your track and mastering process.
Changes in AkustiX v1.1
Enhancements:
Enhanced performance.
Reduced latency.
Enhanced sound for Virtual Surround, Silky Surround, Tone, Diffuse Cream, Noise Reduction and Clarity Enhance.
New Exciter algorithm.
Faster loading.
Enhanced re-sampling in 48, 88 & 96 kHz.
New features:
Smart installers for PC and Mac which automatically detect the plugin directory.
64 bit Mac versions (VST and AU plugin; universal binary; requires OSX 10.5 or higher).
0 ms latency (if the host software supports it).
Additional HF filter for 88 & 96 kHz for smoother sound.
Fixes:
Fixed an exotic bug where programs were not loaded properly.
AkustiX for Windows and Mac (VST/AU) is available to purchase for 59 EUR. The update is free for all AkustiX customers.
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