I like the visual feedback that Alloy provides, not to mix with my eyes but rather because it's a great way to see the effect as a learning tool and as an added check to what your ears are telling you.  At some point in my mixes I usually close my eyes or go to another part of the room and just listen, but it can help jumpstart the process sometimes to see and listen as you experiment.

This video provides a good overview on using Alloy on drums -- take note of the "gain trace view" around 2:20 in:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NhMMVcJaAo

Kalle, Alloy 1 was not using the same algorithms as Ozone 5, but the Alloy 2 update was a total overhaul and incorporated the Ozone 5 algorithms. Like i said, i confirmed it with TJ at Izotope 'after' i did the A/B tests, and he confirmed what my ears were hearing, identical! From what i remember the cpu usage was the same. 

You don't agree about the limiter. It's one of the worst limiters i've ever heard as far as transparency is concerned, but maybe if you like your music being squeezed, then yeah, you would probably like it.


As far as Alloy version 1 I actually liked it a lot, it had a certain no nonsense kick-ass classiness about it, but at the end of the day Alloy 2 is simply a slick beast.


On the Izotope webpage for Alloy 2, Izotope even states...

"(Yes!You can have "that Ozone sound" on every element of your mix)" [Unquote]

Also Kalle, Ozone 5 is only $49 more than Alloy 2, so it would make sense that they are using the same algorithms. For the extra $49 you pay for ozone 5, they give you the secondary post-EQ, plus Reverb, plus dithering, plus some options to pick a different algorithm for the limiter. I never use dithering, and the other extra features are a waste of time to me, so Alloy 2 gets my money, and certainly gets the job done.

Got an email myself now from Izotope - with this same offer.    What works out at 74 EUR, for Alloy 2, it seems like a great deal.   

Works out at about £68. - I have Ozone 5 but was underwhelmed with the trial of Nectar...so I'm unsure...though the offer runs through until 1/2/2013, so there's time for a bit of a read-up yet.

I have since Ozone 4 and alloy 1. I now have ozone 5 and Alloy 2. They are a great combo. Alloy2 I use for tracks mostly-Ozone for busses .

Alloy 2 DEFINITELY uses less CPU-and the limiter is fine and they are NOT the same-similar yes-but not the same

Seems that stratman70 sets-out to contradict everything i say as evidenced from other comments he's made in other threads i've started.
I'm glad you know more than TJ from Izotopte startman70, i'll come to you for my info from now on.

Guys, the facts are that the EQ, the Exciter, the Multiband Compressor, and the Limiter in both Ozone and Alloy 2 use 'identical' algorithms. If anyone prefers to have a reverb and a second eq plus dithering then buy Ozone, but if you would prefer a de-esser and a transient-shaper then buy Alloy 2, because all the other features and algorithms are the same. Simple!

godparticle


Seems that stratman70 sets-out to contradict everything I say as evidenced from other comments he's made in other threads i've started.
I'm glad you know more than TJ from Izotopte startman70, i'll come to you for my info from now on.

Guys, the facts are that the EQ, the Exciter, the Multiband Compressor, and the Limiter in both Ozone and Alloy 2 use 'identical' algorithms. If anyone prefers to have a reverb and a second eq plus dithering then buy Ozone, but if you would prefer a de-esser and a transient-shaper then buy Alloy 2, because all the other features and algorithms are the same. Simple!

Well, not just me, but that's another story. The Higg Laptop- no doubt. You do know the history of your user name I assume.
 
Anyway I use them both and get different results depending on my needs.
 
I have asked TJ to confirm his conversation with you so I can here it from him.-He always gets back to me rather quickly So I am sure he'll get back to me soon.
But, Just the fact that Alloy 2 is less cpu intensive appeals to me so I can us it on tracks. I am only stating my eperience while you are quoting the programmer. So my experience is different than yours.
 

Oh really stratman70, and exactly what is the history of my username?? I want to know, you tell me cowboy. Whatever the hell your on about.
I actually don't think you own either of these two products, cause if you did, you wouldn't be telling me your getting different results.

I have them both here and have done a one hour session with them before replying to you. I had both strapped into the master-bus and used the same modules 'with the same settings' and what was the results? IDENTICAL! Exactly as TJ confirmed to me several months ago.

And i don't know what computer your using but when i switch on either of theses two products they use the same amount of CPU. 

Can you read English matey?? My previous reply quoted their website, which was informing about Alloy 2 ON THE ALLOY 2 WEBPAGE!...so here is that quote again from Izotopes website on the Alloy 2 page...(Yes! You can have "that Ozone sound" on every element of your mix)

I am a Beta tester for Izotope so maybe TJ isn't gonna admit anything to you about their algorithms.


And i would appreciate it if you would stop following me around this forum and trying to contradict everything i say.

god particle- did the waves null then.