Hello everyone,
 
I'm happy to announce we released Ozone 6.1 today! This is a free update for all Ozone 6 users. We added some new DSP and brought back Module Presets, as well as several other bug fixes and improvements.
 
You can download it here: www.izotope.com/en/support/product-downloads/ozone-6
You can read more about it here:  www.izotope.com/en/community/blog/product-news/2015/031/now-available-ozone-6-1
 
As always, I'm happy to hear your feedback. You can email me directly at izzym@izotope.com.
 
Izzy Maxwell
Product Manager
iZotope, Inc.

Hi, Izzy, and thanks for stopping by. I don't know if we've ever had anyone from iZotope come down to our little corner of the interwebs before. I hope you'll continue to check in once in awhile, as many here are long-time fans of your company's stuff so it'll be a (mostly) friendly crowd.
 
Izzy, I am intrigued by "Adaptive Release Mode".  Unfortunately, the description tells me nothing about what ARM does differently from previous modes and other auto-release limiters. Aren't all intelligent-release dynamics processors adaptive? 
 
- OK, I read the second link in your post, and reading between the lines it sounds like the limiter is now treating transients separately. Kind of like what Pro-L does?

Nothing against Ozone but, I personally can not justify the upgrade price between 5 advanced and 6 advanced.

Actually there's an ex Cakewalker working at iZotope. Is it Alex Westner? I can't remember for sure who but it's been a while now.

I'm glad I saw this thread.  I also upgraded to Ozone 6 but much prefer 5.  I will get the free update and compare again.
 

bitflipperIzzy, I am intrigued by "Adaptive Release Mode".  Unfortunately, the description tells me nothing about what ARM does differently from previous modes and other auto-release limiters. Aren't all intelligent-release dynamics processors adaptive? 

 
Hi bitflipper!  I'm happy to be on the Cakewalk forums!  Here are a few things that make Ozone's Adaptive Release unique:

• Adaptive Release reacts to the crest factor of the incoming signal (high crest factor - transients - lowers the release time, low crest factor - sustained notes - increase the release time).  This isn't particularly unique, as some other intelligent compressors do this as well, I just thought it was a good explanation.
• Instead of automatically setting release time (overriding any manually set release time, giving the user no control at all) it scales the manual release time (from 0.2x to 2x, I believe), giving the user the ability to guide the release time while still benefitting from its intelligence.  I find it sounds good consistently with a release time of 100ms (scaling from 20ms to 200ms).
• Adaptive Release processes each frequency band separately.  So if you're using the Ozone Dynamics Module in 4-band mode, Adaptive Release is scaling the release time for each frequency band independently.  This can really help a mix when you have a low bass sustaining long notes with a quick hi hat playing on top of it, for example.

If there are any auto-release compressors you especially like let me know and I'll have our engineers take a look at them.  We're always seeking to improve our products.
 
Thanks!

That's a pretty good explanation. Thanks.
 
I'm still using Ozone 4 about 75% of the time and FabFilter Pro-L the other 25%.
 
I like what Pro-L's Dynamic mode does for transients, and it sounds like Ozone's new mode does something similar, at least to the extent that it differentiates between transients and everything else. Pro-L's dynamic mode goes one step further, actually boosting transients before processing. It's pretty cool if you've left it enough overhead.
 
Pro-L's thing is a two-stage process: an initial algorithm that favors transients (fast release) and then handing off processing to a second, more conventional algorithm. I don't know if that equates to adjusting release times based on crest factor, or if it's fundamentally different from Ozone's adaptive release mode. I suspect both approaches, even if they are different, are shooting for the same result: preserving transients as much as possible while still keeping average RMS high.
 
It's very cool that this applies to the multi-band compressor as well as the limiter. Maybe that should be the headline.
 
 

bitflipper
 
IMO you can't do any better than Ozone as a DIY mastering solution without sinking a significant amount of time into self-education and a significant amount of money into multiple plugins. Ozone offers excellent bang for the buck (you get multiple modules for the price of one high-end limiter alone), and best of all, it's a breeze to use for beginners.

Thank you!
 
I bought Ozone 5 (Standard) based on user opinions and recommendations here and elsewhere.  Mostly I was after the Maximizer.  I bought T-RackS Classic first, after learning Sonar basics, but couldn't get close to what I was after.  I now have Alloy 2 (the tutorials sold me), Nectar 2 (upgraded from Elements in Sonar), and Ozone 5.  I do not see myself upgrading any of those standard version plugs.
 
Regarding time and self-education, yes!  I'm still learning the nuances of Ozone 5, I was reading up on dithering over the weekend, but I was up and running in no time with Presets and am quite happy with how my mixes are improving and turning out.  As for the money...I don't regret spending it:)