iZotope Neutron 4

[SeeingInMidi]

https://www.izotope.com/en/products/neutron.html

I'm mostly interested in the unmask module.

[noiseboyuk]

I'm mostly interested in the unmask module.

I don't get that new module - I can already do exactly this in Neutron 3's EQ. What's different about it?

It seems a very light update. The Tone matching in the Assistant looks slick, presumably the same technology as is in Ozone, RX and Dialogue Match but in a more convenient way. Trash mode is presumably from Trash 2. Punch mode in the compressor... that's kinda it. Gee, all nice to have right there but I can do it all already. And at $149 upgrade from Neutron 3, it's a NO-no-brainer.

[Erik_Lucas]

Doesn't seem to be much of an update, honestly. iZotope has good products however, and I will demo Neutron 4.

Here are some of my thoughts while demoing:

• Mixing Assisstant or whatever you call it often miscategorizes my drums. It just thought my snare drum was a vocal.

• You're able to import your own samples/stems for Mix Assisstant to anaylze.

• The EQ is still very nice and clean.

• EQ doesn't have M/S proccessing.

• I don't like the new default compressor mode, called 'Punch'. Feels like I'm being given less control over the compressor settings. Unsure if it's a different kind of compression or if its just a simplified version of the 'Modern' compressor.

• Don't like how the compressor defaults to splitting the signal into 3 frequency bands.

• Compressor still sounds nice and clean. No issues sonically.

• If you're not using the sculpt tool, the CPU hit is very low.

• UI is still nice and unobtrusive.

Update is welcome and not a bad one, I just think a $150 upgrade is too much.

[pixel85]

It looks like it can do what I'm doing with Nectar + Relay (Unmask). This combo is inconvenient but Relay is ultra-light on resources.
Tonematching looks interesting but I'm not sure if it's really that huge change over Neutron 3 or Ozone 9 (I'm not using this feature very often to say more about it).
Distortion - I've never been a fan of their distortion effects (I like saturators tho).

My "special" upgrade price is "only" $149 so I'm not gonna upgrade. Especially now when nobody knows how far into subscription they may go at any time.
For a more convenient unmask feature I think that I'll go for Trackspacer instead. It's way cheaper.

[dayjob]

they've added a bunch of stuff.. some of which i find interesting/useful but not at $149. at $49 i'd jump on it. I've used it since V2 and thought V3 lost some things i liked about V2.. mostly some GUI stuff i was used to.

but since i went apple silicon i didn't use neutron for a while because it wasn't working well in rosetta.. and i got used to not using it and used other stuff instead and liked that work flow so there's not so much pulling me to update to V4 especially at that price which seems not much of a 'loyalty discount'.

[jens]

149$... lol

[Frankie.T]

Pretty disappointing.
They just atted a feature taken from ozone (spectral shaper in ozone, unmask on neutron) another feature from trash, into the exciter, and ask for money...
They must do a lot more imo.
Their product are very good, i do not understand why this lack of innovation, the eq are stuck in the in the 2010, the new punch feature it's pretty useless, a compressor do it better, and a transient shaper too, this look like a kind of middle tool.

I hope they will understand their mistakes and make it better next time

[SNBeatz]

After their inevitable announcement of and quick implementation of subscription, and the mixed reviews here, I think I'll be staying at Neutron 3 / Ozone 9 for awhile at least.

They make great products that I use often, but it seems like, for now at least, they're going full "company that is focusing solely on making money" mode...

[Lairyboy]

I'm getting $250 upgrade pricing to music production bundle 5 including 6 brainworx products and 2 'major izotope product' upgrades due for release this fall. This seems a better deal than the single product update price (with a leap of faith), but i am fairly deep into the izotope ecosystem.

[kelvyn]

As a proponent of all things GAS I have to admit that the way things are heading right now - ridiculous upgrade prices for the smallest improvements - yes that’s also you McDSP - and the whole subscription nonsense - I’m about to un - GAS myself really fast. The way companies are heading right now is creating the exact opposite effect, instead of inspiring me with new innovative product they are making me think twice with regards to their motives. I’m backtracking and beginning to think it’s time to reduce to the Max.

[noiseboyuk]

Just a little perspective. iZotope’s MO is to have fairly unappetising intro deals with new products. The prices drop over the following 12 months, and eventually they bundle it in with a burger. Nothing new about this, think there’s little-to-no danger of subscription-creep. Just hang on and wait for the good deals.

But to reiterate - this is not a compelling update anyway. I love that they nicked Unmask from one of Neutron’s own modules, they really are eating themselves. I’m not sure what else Neutron needs really.

[SNBeatz]

I’m not sure what else Neutron needs really.

Better CPU usage

I bought Advanced specifically for the individual modules but lo-and-behold the difference is basically non-existent

[dayjob]

they really are eating themselves.

they stuck Trash in there as well.. or part of it anyways.. w/a macro level controller. seems like they could make it a multi-effect type environment if they wanted to with delays and reverbs or stomp box type things and that would make it more fun and flexible and go beyond the mix tools functionality of it. they could also put a good clipper in it somewhere. have never looked into doing that w/neutron.

anyway.. still an underwhelming update but v2 -> v3 was also underwhelming imo. i don't see a lot of reason to upgrade to v4. maybe black friday or whatever or if it ever drops to $49.. any higher than that and i can't see buying it... not w/the other tools i already have that work really well and sound excellent.

[jens]

49$? Make that 29$ and I might consider going to the length of demoing it...

[aMUSEd]

$149 for stuff that was largely in there already or in Trash, which they have cannibalised but deprecated for anyone owning it. Feels like the upgrade is paying twice for stuff I already own.