Yahoo Tuning Groups Ultimate Backup makemicromusic Ozone (for Joe P. and others)

Listerinos,

Fun thing happened: one of the great young percussionists I work with was sharing some music and (free) software with me, and one of the things was a free DirectX plugin from iZotope called "Vinyl" (more about that later).

But what happened is that I went to their site and found a *very* cool, full-featured 'mastering' plugin called "Ozone":

http://www.izotope.com/products/ozone/ozone.html

And it is *fun* to work with - a truly superb interface (Joe, this will drop right into Sound Forge, and you'd have a great time with it - I was tweaking "Blect"!) and I want to mention up front that on the page above they also have a .pdf file about mastering that, while it centers on Ozone it is really a great document for exacly someone like Joe Pehrson, who is just starting to dip his toes in this stuff. Very, very good reading, I think.

[here's an edited blurb from their description of Ozone]:

It's a system of 64-bit DSP algorithms, complemented with enhanced visual meter displays, and integrated in an interface that makes it incredibly easy to get incredibly good masters.

- Four bands of multiband dynamics that carefully emulate the response of analog circuitry, providing natural-sounding compression, expansion, and limiting

- Real time visualization of the dynamics within each band

- Harmonic excitation based on analog tube saturation models. Multiband excitation with adjustable crossovers to add extended bass, sizzling highs, or anything in between

- Multiband parametric EQ with "soft saturation" modeling overlaid on an ultra fast spectrum display

- Top quality, studio reverb with control over room size, frequency cutoff, damping, and more

- Visualize the stereo image with a unique phase/channel meter display that highlights imaging, phase and potential canceling problems

- Adjust the width of the image with powerful stereo imaging controls including widening and multiband delays

- Push the level without overloading with a powerful yet transparent loudness maximizer

- Customize the processing order with a unique signal flow interface

- Track your tweaks and go back to previous settings with the click of a mouse

- Compare your mixes with a powerful spectrum analyzer that offers real time and average modes, snapshots, and more

I don't have huge and deep experience with DX or VST plugins for mixing, but I can say that this is one very nicely crafted piece of software, very musical and intuitive. I may pop for this one retail unless someone tells me I'm crazy.

----------

And don't miss the opportunity to pick up their free "Vinyl" plugin, with goes in the opposite direction of all this stuff: you take a pristine digital file and then you can turn it into a scratchy old LP recording, with complete control over the hum, motor noise, rumble, scratches, dust, warp, and EQing from various eras!

I applied it to one of Bill Sethares "pop-folk" songs, and you could almost see the tie-dye cover on the album!

Music can be fun sometimes...

Cheers,
Jon

`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`
Real Life: Orchestral Percussionist
Web Life: "Corporeal Meadows" - about Harry Partch
http://www.corporeal.com/
NOTE:
If your reply bounces, try --> jonszanto@...

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

--- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "Jonathan M. Szanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:

/makemicromusic/topicId_2164.html#2164

> Listerinos,
>
> Fun thing happened: one of the great young percussionists I work
with was
> sharing some music and (free) software with me, and one of the
things was a
> free DirectX plugin from iZotope called "Vinyl" (more about that
later).
>
> But what happened is that I went to their site and found a *very*
cool,
> full-featured 'mastering' plugin called "Ozone":
>
> http://www.izotope.com/products/ozone/ozone.html
>
> And it is *fun* to work with - a truly superb interface (Joe, this
will
> drop right into Sound Forge, and you'd have a great time with it -
I was
> tweaking "Blect"!) and I want to mention up front that on the page
above
> they also have a .pdf file about mastering that, while it centers
on Ozone
> it is really a great document for exacly someone like Joe Pehrson,
who is
> just starting to dip his toes in this stuff. Very, very good
reading, I think.
>

****Thanks so very much for this, Jon. I'm not sure that I can use
it right now, though, since I'm only using Sound Forge XP at the
moment ($). I installed it, and it doesn't seem to be doing anything
in Sound Forge.... ??

The manual looks quite interesting, though...

Thanks!

Joe

🔗Jonathan M. Szanto <JSZANTO@...>

Joe,

{you wrote...}
>****Thanks so very much for this, Jon. I'm not sure that I can use it >right now, though, since I'm only using Sound Forge XP at the moment >($). I installed it, and it doesn't seem to be doing anything in Sound >Forge.... ??

Hmmm, really? I don't know the diffs between SF and SF XP, but if XP doesn't support plugins that would be the thing. In any event, it should show up in the DirectX menu.

I have to hop online so I'll check the SF site. Also, the trial plugin isn't really usable for work as every 20 seconds it mutes the output, but it certainly can give you an idea of what it would be like.

>The manual looks quite interesting, though...

I think it would, if nothing else, give you some background if you choose to go further in this stuff down the road. Seems well-written and I like that they don't take themselves too seriously...

Cheers,
Jon

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

--- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "Jonathan M. Szanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:

/makemicromusic/topicId_2164.html#2186

> Joe,
>
> {you wrote...}
> >****Thanks so very much for this, Jon. I'm not sure that I can
use it
> >right now, though, since I'm only using Sound Forge XP at the
moment
> >($). I installed it, and it doesn't seem to be doing anything in
Sound
> >Forge.... ??
>
> Hmmm, really? I don't know the diffs between SF and SF XP, but if
XP
> doesn't support plugins that would be the thing. In any event, it
should
> show up in the DirectX menu.
>
> I have to hop online so I'll check the SF site. Also, the trial
plugin
> isn't really usable for work as every 20 seconds it mutes the
output, but
> it certainly can give you an idea of what it would be like.
>
> >The manual looks quite interesting, though...
>
> I think it would, if nothing else, give you some background if you
choose
> to go further in this stuff down the road. Seems well-written and I
like
> that they don't take themselves too seriously...
>
> Cheers,
> Jon

***Hi Jon...

Regrettably, I believe that XP doesn't support Plug-Ins which is the
several hundred dollar difference of *my* version of Sound Forge from
Jacky Ligon's.

Jacky can confirm this situation, because I believe he's mentioned it
before.

Nothing is happening in my version to show anything's there...

:( [need more cash]

🔗jonszanto <JSZANTO@...>

🔗graham@...

In-Reply-To: <5.1.0.14.2.20020225151317.029d5db0@...>
Me:
> >How good is top quality? Reverb's one of those things that's very
> >difficult to get perfect. Did they?

Jon:
> Right, I understand. For 10 minutes work, it sounds fine. Consider how
> few hours, nay, *minutes*, of studio time in a well-stocked studio,
> with a good engineer, you would get for $200. You want better, you
> either start building up a studio, buy one of the dedicated reverb
> programs, or be happy with the charms of something better than what you
> have now.

I have Kyma now, which as some fairly good reverb sounds, although they
take up a lot of the processors. The really good ones need more
processors than I have. It'd probably be for the convenience if I use
this thing instead.

> >Is there any way of widening the field for headphones, to emulate
> speakers?
>
> Interestingly enough, they mention headphones in their "Mastering..."
> document that I spoke of. And they spoke of the caveats. Frankly, I
> don't think anyone would want to do a mix that would be specifically
> for headphone listening (unless it is a binaural recording to start
> with). The image widening can certainly take it beyond... the norm.

The idea is to narrow (I think it's that way round) the image so that you
can mix on headphones and it'll sound okay on speakers. I downloaded a
Kyma sound to do this, but never tried it out.

> As for headphone listening and appropriate soundstage, I think it is
> more incumbent on the listener to work with this, as I wouldn't expect
> a live recording of an orchestra in a hall to be then mixed for
> headphones. As such, I use a gizmo called the "HeadRoom Little" -
> http://www.headroom.com/ - as a dedicated headphone amp. It is built
> around a processing circuitry that subtly cross-feeds signal with some
> damping (don't quote me) to eliminate the dead spot in the middle of
> your skull (this is only an audio application - the dead spot that
> produces my daily stupidities is still fully functional).

Thanks, I'll have a look at that.

In fact, this is a weird Shockwave toy. Do you have another URL to hand?

> >It's only $200 which is remarkably good value if it works well. And
> if it
> >can do all that in real time in software it must be pretty darn good.
> I
> >can't spot anything that it's missing.
>
> I *was* running it in realtime, and you can turn the preview on and off
> to mute the effect. I'm on a P4 1.2ghz with 512 ram, so lighter systems
> might balk, but the insane part is that these plugins utilize other
> DirectX libraries (graphics mostly, I would imagine) so the software
> itself is incredibly small.

One of the write-ups for Kyma says the basic system's equivalent to about
1GHz of normal CPU. So your machine's slightly more powerful than my
Kyma, although it has to run an OS as well. I don't think any two of
realistic reverb, multi band compressor and enhancer can run together on
my system. But there is a penalty for it being a general-purpose system.

> I would suggest checking out the 90 free trial of Samplitude, which is
> *certainly* about the nicest virtual mixing studios I've seen. Works
> like a charm integated right into the mixing desk. So you can work with
> it in a DAW program like this or ProTools, or you can use it simply to
> process a single stereo wave file in an audio editor like Sound Forge
> or CoolEdit.

I'll have a look at that. I'm using Goldwave now for editing, because
it's a faster download than CoolEdit.

> >There's a WinAmp plugin as well as the DX one, so you can apply it to
> >anything you download. In fact, that has a semi-serious use, because
> I've >found (with Blade, I haven't tried with Lame) that wide band
> noise >compresses very badly to MP3. So this is a perfect tool for
> correcting that.
>
> No, it's an item to *add* noise! To recreate the days of actual
> 'records' that have been abused, scratched, and played at more parties
> than you can remember!

Yes, that's what I meant. You have to remove the noise for it to compress
right, so this adds it back in. I do write this not far from Bristol.
Perhaps it's a strange desire in the rest of the world.

> If we free up some space on microtonal.org I'll upload that clip of
> Bill's I did.

That'd be good. I downloaded the WinAmp plugin, and then remembered I
don't use WinAmp on this machine :(

Graham

🔗jdstarrett <jstarret@...>

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

--- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "jdstarrett" <jstarret@c...> wrote:

/makemicromusic/topicId_2164.html#2198

> --- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "jonszanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:
> > Joe,
> >
> > --- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "jpehrson2" <jpehrson@r...> wrote:
> > > I installed it, and it doesn't seem to be doing anything in
Sound
> > > Forge.... ??
> >
> > Balls. SF XP doesn't support DirectX plugins. Damn.
> >
> > If this interests you enough to check it out, let me know, and
I'll
> > send some other tips, but you'd need to move up to either Sound
> Forge
> > or another product that would support the plugins.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Jon
>
> But Cool Edit 2000 and Pro do. Hurrah! I think even the Cool Edit
2000 free trial demo will run this.
>
> John Starrett

***Well, I was trying it in Cool Edit 2000, too, and it wasn't doing
anything... Maybe I was doing something wrong?? ?

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

--- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "jonszanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:

/makemicromusic/topicId_2164.html#2188

> Joe,
>
> --- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "jpehrson2" <jpehrson@r...> wrote:
> > I installed it, and it doesn't seem to be doing anything in Sound
> > Forge.... ??
>
> Balls. SF XP doesn't support DirectX plugins. Damn.
>
> If this interests you enough to check it out, let me know, and I'll
> send some other tips, but you'd need to move up to either Sound
Forge or another product that would support the plugins.
>
> Cheers,
> Jon

***Hi Jon!

Well, of course I'm very interested in all of this, but I'm also very
interested in ACOUSTIC music, probably even more so. I just bought
SIBELIUS and got the Mook 72-tET fonts to work in that, so that
should keep me busy for a while! :)

🔗jonszanto <JSZANTO@...>

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

🔗Jonathan M. Szanto <JSZANTO@...>

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

--- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "jonszanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:

/makemicromusic/topicId_2164.html#2206

> --- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "jdstarrett" <jstarret@c...> wrote:
> > But Cool Edit 2000 and Pro do. Hurrah! I think even the Cool Edit
> > 2000 free trial demo will run this.
>
> John, I just checked the Syntrillium site (makers of CE Pro and
2000)
> and you must download a proprietary plugin to enable DirectX
plugins.
> It's free and available here:
>
> http://www.syntrillium.com/cooledit/plugins_directx.html
>
> HOWEVER - it will not work with a demo version, you must have a
> registered version to work with DX plugins...
>
> Cheers,
> Jon

***Thanks so much, Jon!

Well, I have a "registered" version, so I will try it this eve...

Thanks for all the help!

Joe

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

--- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "Jonathan M. Szanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:

/makemicromusic/topicId_2164.html#2208

> Joe,
>
> {you wrote...}
> >Well, of course I'm very interested in all of this, but I'm also
very interested in ACOUSTIC music, probably even more so. I just
bought SIBELIUS and got the Mook 72-tET fonts to work in that, so
that should keep me busy for a while! :)
>
> Good call, Joe! Everyone needs to set their own priorities. I'm
sure that, between your contacts and some of the offers on this list,
if you ever needed to make some demo tape or electronic-only piece
sound really good, you'd be able to find someone who would engineer
it for you, maybe bartering some of your skills.
>
> Looking forward to the first page of whatever you end up printing
out. Maybe you can use that Sibelius "Scorch" plugin to publish it on
the web!
>
> Cheers,
> Jon

****Thanks so much again, Jon! You know, you're really turning out
to be a good friend!

I was reading in the manual that you generously directed me to that
many times it's better to have somebody *ELSE* than the composer work
on the final masterings... since the composer is too close to the
music. That makes some sense.

So, maybe I'll be ripe to let *other* people, with even more
equipment and knowledge, "diddle" with my stuff.

I could only say "no" to the finished product, and, most probably
would like it instead...

In fact, let me declare "open hunting" season on my music. Anybody
want to "dither" and "diddle" please be my guest and "diddle-Bo!"

Of course, I would prefer to have *final approval* to anything posted
to a "formal" site... (whatever *that* really is... I guess any site
that indicates it's the FINAL piece rather than a working
experiment...)

Regarding SCORCH, of course that will depend on what I can *really*
do with the microtones. I realize that *quarter-tones* can be played
back accurately in MIDI, and I *believe* notes can be "adjusted" for
microtonality, but we'll have to see how that goes as I get into it.
Certainly I wouldn't want to post something that's in the wrong
scale... :)

Thanks, all you good bros!

Joes

🔗Jonathan M. Szanto <JSZANTO@...>

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

--- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "Jonathan M. Szanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:

/makemicromusic/topicId_2164.html#2225

> Joe,
>
> Just on one bit here:
>
> {you wrote...}
> >Regarding SCORCH, of course that will depend on what I can
*really* do
> >with the microtones. I realize that *quarter-tones* can be played
back
> >accurately in MIDI...
>
> Well, actually all I meant was if it was possible to *see* a page
of the
> score! I didn't even think about playback! I'm still thinking of
this as a
> notation program, even though the Scorch plugin is made to show and
play
> the music.
>
> I just think that if you could post, in that format, a page from
the middle
> of Blect I imagine people would be interested in listening to the
section
> (in the mp3 file) with a page of the score.
>
> That's all.
>
> Cheers,
> Jon

***Why, sure, Jon. It would *sound* a bit better that way as
well... :)

But, supposedly, Scorch will play any microtones off the *written*
page in it's inimitable *General Midi* superlatives...

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

--- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "jonszanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:

/makemicromusic/topicId_2164.html#2206

***Well, I tried this now with the "Ozone" DirectX plugin.

Yes, I now get the menu on Cool Edit for DirectX.

However, I changed a setting slightly on one of the modules, pressed
the "preview" button, and it crashed my computer!

So my "appetite" for playing with it has been dampened at the
moment.... :)

🔗Jonathan M. Szanto <JSZANTO@...>

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

🔗Jonathan M. Szanto <JSZANTO@...>

Joe,

{you wrote...}
>***Like I say, Jon... do whatever you want with it. This is *my* form of >"jazz collaboration..." :)

Super.

>Hope *your* machine doesn't crash. Let me know if the same things happen >to you.

Nope, and I've tried it in about 3 or 4 different applications. Even though they use it, or show it, a little differently, none have had a hiccup.

Just a thought: sometimes plugins, adding themselves on top of applications, can cause low memory problems. If you are adventuresome, just try having all of your other applications closed except your wave program (CoolEdit I suppose). That might fix the problem. If not, I don't really know, short of getting your entire system settings and debugging away...

Cheers,
Jon

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

--- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "Jonathan M. Szanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:

/makemicromusic/topicId_2164.html#2306

> Joe,
>
> {you wrote...}
> >***Like I say, Jon... do whatever you want with it. This is *my*
form of
> >"jazz collaboration..." :)
>
> Super.
>
> >Hope *your* machine doesn't crash. Let me know if the same things
happen
> >to you.
>
> Nope, and I've tried it in about 3 or 4 different applications.
Even though
> they use it, or show it, a little differently, none have had a
hiccup.
>
> Just a thought: sometimes plugins, adding themselves on top of
> applications, can cause low memory problems. If you are
adventuresome, just
> try having all of your other applications closed except your wave
program
> (CoolEdit I suppose). That might fix the problem. If not, I don't
really
> know, short of getting your entire system settings and debugging
away...
>

***Yes, it looks like a *memory* issue, Jon. That's the "feel" of
it...

Now, it's doing something "different." The Ozone app. won't run at
all. When I click it on, the wave on my screen changes color
(lighter) and Cool Edit freezes up.

At least I don't have to *totally* reboot like the first time! :)

Well, I even re-installed Ozone. Maybe I'd have to reinstall all 3
parts to this. Then maybe it would crash the entire thing again...

Frankly, I think I have something else to do at the moment... :)

🔗Jonathan M. Szanto <JSZANTO@...>

🔗jpehrson2 <jpehrson@...>

--- In MakeMicroMusic@y..., "Jonathan M. Szanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:

/makemicromusic/topicId_2164.html#2310

> Joe,
>
> Tell the truth, the only other thing that *might* be a problem is
that CE has that plugin that *they* require to run DirectX plugins.
Maybe the extra layer of misdirection has something to do with it.
>

***It can't help. I noticed, though, that I couldn't even get the
COOL EDIT ActiveX extension thingies to work. I was even freezing on
that...

> Don't lose too much time with this - you can always download a demo
of Sound Forge or Samplitude and use a demo to try out a demo
plugin!

***Right. Best to stay with the same company... It might even *work*
that way... :)

And just
> keep note of Ozone if you upgrade your sound app in the future, I
really think it might be something you would enjoy using...
>

***Page is bookmarked, and I *will* read that manual, which is quite
interesting.

This, like many things in life, is a *gradual* improvement process...