Ozone 8, Neutron 2, and subscription on Splice

http://www.emusician.com/gear/1332/izotope-ozone-8--neutron-2-bring-machine-learning--interplugin-communication-to-mixing--mastering/64029
 
https://splice.com/

In interested in the "AI" angle they're taking. I needed Ozone anyway, so I'll pick it up. Hoping for a more in depth article, such as an SOS review, before I pick up the package. The "rent to own" is awesome. 

bitflipper
Sounds fun, but I can't justify $149 for the upgrade. Hopefully, there'll be a sale down the road.

Yeah I'm kind of flip-flopping between the Ozone upgrade and a new sampled guitar by Orange Tree Samples, for $20 less.  I think I'll get more use out of the guitar since I already own Ozone 7 advanced, and that works just fine for me for mastering.  Maybe next month....

There is only one solution.
 
 
Request a credit line increase.

They get you every time. Especially at Xmas.

Spare a thought for the guys paying in other currencies... $149 x 14 for me.. ugh..

I'm sticking with Ozone 5.  It does everything I need.

Leee
But I am considering upgrading to Ozone 8, there are some new features that I'm interested in.  There's demo versions of both Ozone 8 and Neutron 2 that I'm definitely going to check out to see (and hear) them in action.

Good Day,
Im considering it also and use both advanced versions (i.e. 7 and 1) somewhat exclusively at least at first shot to try and get my bearings, then may revert back to using 1998 circa Sonitus plugins, LOL. I still haven't got up to speed using masking functions in Neutron.   
Otherwise been reviewing manuals/videos etc., there seem to be some interesting features particularly combined functionality, and the visual mixing, tonal balancing and reference track uses. While made to look quite easy in promos there seems to be a fair amount of prep work and learning to use that functionality that's not fully or clearly explained yet in promo videos or online manuals, like aside from requiring Neutron on all tracks you want to interact between, and also apparently Meter Tap, which I dont know much about and cant find any references to in any manuals, nor from its own help function, also some references to requiring setting up aux tracks but not clear on that, again haven't found detailed descriptions or tutorials as of yet. Perhaps the help functions included with demos may explain things better, but I'm avoiding demos so far as I would likely cave into buying, and figure out how to use later, LOL. (I may rather save that money in my Les Paul fund).
 
Cheers 

I hear ya, up here in Canada add about 40% to cost for exchange rate and taxes.

 
Back in the 70's when I was regularly playing in Canada, we were required to present a manifest when crossing the border, detailing every piece of equipment and its value - plus post a bond that we'd forfeit if anything was sold in Canada. On return to the U.S. we'd often be forced to completely unload the trucks in the parking lot while a border patrol agent ticked off each item on the list.
 
A conversation with a music store owner in Vancouver confirmed that their wholesale costs for guitars and amplifiers was much higher than any U.S. retailer. Gibson and Fender required them to carry every product, even the slow movers, further decreasing their profit margin. Consequently, a Strat was a luxury item for Canadian musicians and not surprisingly, also not a big seller at music stores.
 
But there was a lively black market for smuggled and stolen instruments. A guy walked up to me at a gig, pointed to our mixer and asked "what do you call that thing?". I said "that's a mixer". To which he replied "you want one?". Uh, no, I said. They're not worth very much. Later that week, we sold it before returning to the states.

bitflipper
A conversation with a music store owner in Vancouver confirmed that their wholesale costs for guitars and amplifiers was much higher than any U.S. retailer. 

Yea no kidding, I think a Strat was about $600, back in 70's, I got a used one for about $300, when the guy figured out he'd never learn to play it, his parents where furious when they found out he sold it for that. LOL. 
Another thing about our music stores like Long & McQuade there's almost 0% knowledge support on electronic gear or anything, you're pretty much on your own if you're looking to buy something, and most of their sales people are snooty arrogant and bitter people who assumedly never made it in the music industry. I guess in part due to high overhead costs like you say they cant afford to hire good knowledgeable staff, there's nothing here even close to Sweetwater, with there online support and demo's of new equipment, at least nowadays I can go to Sweetwater web site get some kind background info on equipment, downside is I see how much cheaper the price is in USA, LOL.
 
Cheers  

I know the feeling :(

LJB
Well I took the plunge and grabbed 08 Advanced - I must say I'm truly impressed. Been an Ozone Advanced user since 05, 06 and 07 but this one kicks it up a good few notches.

Same here! The Assistant is really impressive as is the Tonal Balance module. Allowed me to make some tweaks to an album I'm mastering right now. Ozone continues to impress. 

Splice is the new Rent A Center for DAWs.   I'm paying $18 a month for groove3 and Mac Pro Video.  That is as far as I will go.