Ozone 6 Advanced vs Ozone 7 Standard

[greedy.mf]

Hello, KVR

I'm considering the purchase of Ozone mastering Suite.

Gotto keep the cost low so I decided to get second hand. Price for 6ADV and 7STD is comparable ($100-120).
Previously I tried both 6 and 7 versions and they both seems fine to me.
I don't care much for "vintage" bells and whistles, so main difference between them is IRC IV (7) and ability to use separate components as plugins + Insight (6 adv).

Questions are:
- is IRC IV significanly better then IRC III? I'm just learning mastering so I wouldn't trust myself of this now. But I need "future-proof" option.
- are separate components plugins really useful in real-life situation? I use stock plugins of Ableton, also I've got DDMF IIPRO EQ and Klanghelm DC8C2.
- what's the practival value of Insight?

[soulone82]

- is IRC IV significanly better then IRC III?

Yes, IMHO.

[phaded]

Questions are:
- is IRC IV significanly better then IRC III? I'm just learning mastering so I wouldn't trust myself of this now. But I need "future-proof" option.

Seconding soulone82 here. IRC IV is crazy good. Most transparent limiter I've used. Replaced Pro-L for me. Caveat: I did purchase IKM Stealth limiter recently, just haven't had a chance to put it to test.

- are separate components plugins really useful in real-life situation? I use stock plugins of Ableton, also I've got DDMF IIPRO EQ and Klanghelm DC8C2.

Yes and no- if you are running a newer machine you could be ok with multiple instances, but overall I found Ozone modules have a heavy CPU footprint.

- what's the practival value of Insight?

I like it, although it can be flaky. On OSX either AU or VST worked, the other not so much (can't remember which offhand). I have a separate computer I run it on for analysis to save CPU.

I don't care much for "vintage" bells and whistles,

Don't count these out! I was pleasantly surprised with the Tape module, in particular. Heard good things re: the Pultec (Vintage EQ), but I have so many freaking Pultecs that I haven't touched the one in Ozone yet. Vintage limiter- I just don't get the implementation. Why base it off a Fairchild with nearly none of the features of the original unit? Especially mid/side???

Anyway, bottom line: my .02 is go for Ozone 7. Just for IRC IV and the Dynamic EQ its well worth it vs Ozone 6. For more general (less CPU hit) mixing duties: Alloy 2 is still a great tool and can be picked up for cheap on the KVR Buy/Sell.

[Stuart T]

Yes IRC IV is significantly better. If you can afford it I would buy 7 adv because it's nice to be able to use the modules separately. I sold 7 adv for $130 so you might find it for around that price. The dynamic eq is good too.

[MogwaiBoy]

IRC IV is world class but Limitless is the Rolls Royce limiter in my opinion. Mode IV is quite a bit more transparent over III.

The Advanced set gives you the modules as individual plugins which can be more economical on your CPU performance (and so can be used in mixing, not just mastering - though they are still heavier than your average).

Neutron also has a fantastic limiter, EQ with dynamics, multiband compressor etc - so might be worth considering.

[greedy.mf]

Yes IRC IV is significantly better. If you can afford it I would buy 7 adv because it's nice to be able to use the modules separately. I sold 7 adv for $130 so you might find it for around that price. The dynamic eq is good too.

That's cool price.
Currently lowest offer I could find is $180.

So I got Ozone 7 Standard for $90.
It should keep me occupied while I'm in training.
If I ever feel the need of upgrading, I'll but Adv and sell my standard.

[greedy.mf]

IRC IV is world class but Limitless is the Rolls Royce limiter in my opinion. Mode IV is quite a bit more transparent over III.

The Advanced set gives you the modules as individual plugins which can be more economical on your CPU performance (and so can be used in mixing, not just mastering - though they are still heavier than your average).

Neutron also has a fantastic limiter, EQ with dynamics, multiband compressor etc - so might be worth considering.

I was longing for Alloy 2 to upgrade.
And while Neutron is cool, I find it's implementation of dynamic EQ quite limited - there's no attack/release settings.

I tend to keep amount of my plugs to minimum. Less decisions, less strain on workflow and wallet.

With Ozone purchased I got all my poduciton cycle covered (sound design / mixing / mastering).

[greedy.mf]

Don't count these out! I was pleasantly surprised with the Tape module, in particular. Heard good things

Sometimes I find myself thinking less options is better.
While I believe that Vintage modules are great, it'd be easier for me to stick to a certain chain and um.. master it (pun intended )

Anyway Ozone has just 6 slots for modules - for all 6 of Standard. So these Vintage of Advanced are supposed to go instead of some of Standards.
Honesly I won't be able to compomise any of that, only one of equlizers, maybe.

[phaded]

Don't count these out! I was pleasantly surprised with the Tape module, in particular. Heard good things

Sometimes I find myself thinking less options is better.
While I believe that Vintage modules are great, it'd be easier for me to stick to a certain chain and um.. master it (pun intended )

Anyway Ozone has just 6 slots for modules - for all 6 of Standard. So these Vintage of Advanced are supposed to go instead of some of Standards.
Honesly I won't be able to compomise any of that, only one of equlizers, maybe.

Oh that's fair play. I wish they would add more slots, especially since you can load 3rd party plugins. I agree with your less-is-more point, although I can be terrible at it in practice.

[Stuart T]

Yes IRC IV is significantly better. If you can afford it I would buy 7 adv because it's nice to be able to use the modules separately. I sold 7 adv for $130 so you might find it for around that price. The dynamic eq is good too.

That's cool price.
Currently lowest offer I could find is $180.

So I got Ozone 7 Standard for $90.
It should keep me occupied while I'm in training.
If I ever feel the need of upgrading, I'll but Adv and sell my standard.

Great - enjoy your new software it's really good