Podcast Academy

A few weeks ago Sony announced Sound Forge 9. This application is a professional PC based audio production tool. I archived the URL that included the press release of this announcement, and just today - I finally read into the specifications. Much to my surprise, I noticed Sony has incorporated a proprietary version of iZotope Ozone in Sound Forge. In fact, this is the second PC based pro audio tool that incorporates a special version of Ozone. Adobe Audition 2.0 was first in line.

Unfortunately I cannot offer any first hand experience, feedback, or insight on Sound Forge due to my lack of access to the PC platform. However, it is no secret that I have been a long time user and supporter of iZotope Ozone. I can’t imagine functioning efficiently on a daily basis without it. As I have previously stated, in my honest opinion there is nothing else out there that rivals Ozone considering it’s vast array of options, quality processing, and it’s sub $200 cost.

I’ll share a tip with you. For GigaVox and The Conversations Network post workflow’s, we use a proprietary dual function audio processor, referred to as the Uploader. Since our system is based on a component supported platform, each individual file that is destined for a specific program must share the same exact loudness measurement in order to maintain consistency during show assembly in preparation for final distribution.

The Uploader performs RMS Normalization, and the resulting output file[s] share the exact same loudness measurement based on our own internal specification. Finally, the processed file is automatically sent up to our server via ftp and prepared for distribution.

Many of our internal source files that need to be edited and prepared for the Uploader lack sufficient levels that would support a comfortable editing environment. Low levels may be due to issues that were apparent during the actual recording process. Since our Uploader handles normalization, any form of similar loudness processing is not recommended.

The Loudness Maximizer module that is part of the Ozone arsenal solves this problem. I pull down the threshold setting, set a ceiling, and play the files that I am editing through the processor in real time. Ozone is running on an insert within Bias Peak Pro 5 XT in most cases, and since I am not bouncing the file through the processor - there are no destructive changes made to the original source files. It works really well.

Anyway, it’s great to see Ozone bundled with big time pro audio applications like Sound Forge and Audition. In fact, iZotope’s MBIT+™ Dithering Algorithm has solidified itself as a premiere technology. Software developers pay iZotope a licensing fee for proprietary implementation.

If you have not looked into this software processor, I suggest you head over to the site and enter the Ozone ..