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iZotope Alloy 2
Gear Lust Web Site |
 Go To The Music Connection "New Toys" Directory |
Better than ever, the new version of Alloy brings on six useful mixing, recording and mastering processing tools in one plug-in. The six processors are: EQ, Dynamics 1 and 2, Exciter, De-Esser, Transient Shaper and Limiter. Immediately familiar to Alloy 1 users (like me) is that Alloy 2's controls and buttons are arranged in the same order. What's new is that the nearly twice as large GUI allows for even more granularity and precision with full access to all parameters at the same time.
I liked that there are two, identical Dynamics modules--one might be programmed as a multi-band compressor and the other, a peak stop limiter--each with a full set of controls. I also like the brief descriptions of every factory preset's functionality and the larger GUI shows off shapes in HD-clarity: equalizer/filter curves and non-linear transfer functions in the dynamic section(s).
Alloy 2 has a zero-latency mode I found good for processing real-time recordings (if your DAW allows for it) and I found the higher resolution metering essential for mastering in full 64-bit precision.
Other new or updated are the Exciter module--it uses joysticks to locate just the right sweet spots between Tube, Retro, Tape and Warm distortion coloration modeling for all three bands. The multi-band Transient Shaper has larger meters and faders and a new collection of EQ types such as Baxandall bass/treble filters and HP resonant shapes are listed in pull-down menus. I liked that double-clicking on any spot in the EQ curve launches another EQ section or filter ready for selecting its exact frequency, shape and boost/cut.
Alloy 2 also features an internal Meter Tap, which provides an immediate visual feedback from Alloy 2 in Ozone 5's Advanced Meter Bridge. Alloy 2 is $199 and runs in all plug-in formats with an upgrade path from Alloy 1. More at: www.izotope.com/alloy.
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