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We can advise on what equipment and facilities you will require to deliver a course or qualification effectively, and in many instances provide on-site training to teachers, technicians and other support staff in the use of modern technology for music and music tech.

We can also provide delivery advice on a whole range of units in vocational music and music technology qualifications at levels 1, 2 & 3.

Check out our series of equipment and software reviews

With over 20 years experience in music and music technology education, and much, much longer in the music industry as a whole we may have the answers you need - try us...

 

-The Music Ed Team

IZOTOPE OZONE 8 Update

(Reviewed by John Verity)

Ozone 8 Standard Education: £216.58

Ozone 8 Advanced Education: £433.98

 

Well developed mastering skills are essential for learners focusing on music technology at all levels, and Ozone software has been at the forefront of technology in this area for some considerable time.

Operationally, Ozone version 8 is very similar to its predecessor Ozone 7 and for this reason I have simply focussed on the newest elements available, and included my earlier Ozone 7 review below this update for reference...

Ozone 8 introduces us to Master Assistant, a plugin designed to intelligently assist with eq and dynamics settings to create a starting point for the piece being worked on.

The process is simple, giving the learner option to load presets or a reference track of their choice, then play back a short (preferably at its loudest point) section of their own project. Master Assistant will compare the two, and set up/ load recommended EQ & Dynamics modules to suit.

In the process of writing this review I utilised Master Assistant across a number of genre with mixed success. Whilst appropriate modules were generally loaded automatically I didn't always feel that settings were particularly successful, though with a little tweaking acceptable results were pretty much always reachable. Certainly Master Assistant can create useful starting points but could lead to problems for the inexperienced learner.

Track Referencing appears to utilise a similar process to analyse the learner's own master and compare it to any one of a chosen number of imported reference tracks, setting markers and graphically showing the difference. This could be a valuable tool for teachers and learners alike to make valid comparisons at this crucial stage in the production process.

Spectral Shaper will allow learners to fine tune their finished mix by using intelligent dynamics to identify and remove harshness or sibilance in the chosen track effortlessly.

The Tonal Balance Control plugin is included in the Advanced version of the software only. It allows for further comparison with target curves from commercially mastered tracks in order to facilitate an end result that is comparable to the target range. 

As I spent more time with Ozone 8 I began to feel that the new additions to the program were probably best suited to more advanced learners; those aiming for the highest grades by presenting work approaching professional standards.

That said, the included EQ and dynamics modules are worth the price of entry, so to speak. I enjoyed working with the new look graphics- though quite dark as shown in the illustrations, everything is displayed clearly and all controls are easy enough to find.

 

 

 In Summary

Ozone 8 is a worthwhile upgrade for centres already using Ozone.

For those not yet familiar with this software but on the search for excellent mastering facilities I can highly recommend Ozone 8. everything you are likely to need is here, and the quality is second to none.

 

Education prices in the UK are available here: Time+Space

 

As with all Izotope software, support is generous, with lots of video and information available via their website: Izotope

 

My earlier review of OZONE 7 can be found below....

 

 

 

 

IZOTOPE OZONE 7 - from Time+Space
(Reviewed by John Verity)

 

Several Music and Music Technology specifications require learners to create fully mastered mixes of their material and whilst most Digital Audio workstations include tools for performing these tasks many of these generic plug-ins are very basic.

Ozone 7 provides learners with an excellent range of tools with which to master their material, whilst familiarising themselves with the techniques likely to be encountered in real-world situations in the recording studio/ production environment. The 'Advanced' version further allows individual plug-ins to be used within a DAW for use on multi-track sessions.

Genre-specific pre-sets allow learners to quickly access examples of the types of mastering processes used across the industry, with further editing of these pre-sets readily available.

HOFA SYSTEM Plug-in modules. (reviewed by John Verity)

20 modules which can be combined or used separately.

Reverb, delay, EQ, compression, distortion, pitch, expander, gate, gain, pan, metering, pink noise, modulation, and more....

HOFA System provides most of what we have come to consider our essential plug-ins for day-to-day studio work, all at a current introductory price of €59.90.

JBL EON 600 Series powered loudspeakers (reviewed by John Verity).

The JBL EON 600 Series range includes the three models shown above - 10" (25cm) Two-Way, 12" (30cm) Two-Way & 15" (38cm) Two-Way, plus an 18" (45cm} Sub-woofer. All models are self-powered with 1000 watt class D amplifiers and feature wireless remote control.

Street prices start at £349.00 for the EON 612 (12" version)

  1. Soundcraft Signature 12MTK
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