

I’ve been using Ozone since version 3 and it’s been reviewed in these pages many times over the years, so I’ll keep the synopsis brief and skip to the new and exciting bits. There’s also the standalone version for those that want to master outside the DAW. This includes the main plug-in and its component modules, including the new Master Rebalance and Low End Focus modules, plus the Match EQ as its own plug-in and the Relay and Tonal Balance v2 tools. Loading up Ozone 9 Advanced in Logic for the first time will scan for 17 new Audio Units(!), so prepare for your iZotope sub-folder to grow significantly once again. Ozone 9 once again features a range of cutting-edge software tools that incorporate source separation, spectral processing, inter-plug-in communication and machine learning, but do the new features and modules make for worthy additions to an already well-rounded product? Ozone 8 was released two years ago and since then, we’ve seen some excellent updates to Nectar and Neutron, so it’s (let’s be honest) unsurprising that iZotope has released a new version of its mastering plug-in suite. It’s not a total game-changer, but Ozone 9 is a solid update with some great, unique new modules and useful enhancements across the board.

Mastering Assistant still doesn’t utilise the full suite.New Stereoizer mode is much more natural.Resizable GUI greatly improves visual feedback.

IZotope returns with another high-tech new version of Ozone, but can it deliver the mastering goods? We prepare to find our balance.
