Hey! I tested the new Ozone 12 on a few mixes and it seems that it's rolling off treble and adding a lot of bass. Does anyone feels the same? Did Ozone change the way they analyse tracks or something?
I tried Ozone 11 and I find the result way more balanced overall, even though it actually only "listens" for a few sec (I use one minute in ozone 12).

Also, for some reason, after the assistant in ozone 12 has done it's job, sometimes the whole project stutters and I need to close and reload for it to work properly again. When this happens, if I use 11 & 12, after ozone 12 has finished, then 11 behaves the same, but if I only use 11 on its own, then it all works fine. That's really weird. Has anyone the same issue? What do you guys think of this new Ozone release?

 

Go back to the plugins that worked perfectly. In short, simply don't update if you don't want to ruin your stable system. Some updates fix bugs, which is fine, but other updates like yours have new features and likely require more CPU power, leading to crashes, etc.

Spoiler: Source: Grok KI

Your experience with iZotope Ozone 12 rolling off treble and emphasizing bass, along with the stuttering issues, raises some interesting points about the new release. Let’s break it down based on your observations, available information, and critical analysis of Ozone 12’s features and performance compared to Ozone 11.

Treble Roll-Off and Bass Emphasis in Ozone 12
You’ve noticed Ozone 12 seems to roll off treble and add significant bass compared to Ozone 11, which you found more balanced. This could be tied to several factors in Ozone 12’s new features and analysis approach:

1. New Bass Control Module: Ozone 12 introduces a dedicated Bass Control module, which uses machine learning to shape low-end frequencies for punch, balance, and consistency across playback systems. This module includes specific controls like Balance and Punch meters, as well as "Dirty to Clean" sliders that add saturation to enhance bass presence. It’s possible that the Master Assistant’s Custom flow, which now allows up to 60 seconds of analysis (compared to Ozone 11’s shorter analysis window), is prioritizing low-end enhancement based on its AI-driven analysis, especially if it detects a need for more low-end weight in your mix. This could explain the perceived bass boost.
2. Stem EQ and AI Analysis: Ozone 12’s Stem EQ allows independent EQ adjustments for vocals, bass, drums, and instruments within a stereo mix, powered by improved neural nets for cleaner stem separation compared to Ozone 11’s Stem Focus. The Master Assistant’s Custom mode also offers more granular control, including genre-specific targets and adjustable intensity (Subtle to Transformative). If the Assistant is set to a bass-heavy genre profile or a more aggressive intensity, it might apply EQ curves that emphasize low frequencies while attenuating highs to avoid harshness, especially if it detects overly bright elements in your mix. Your observation that Ozone 11 feels more balanced could stem from its simpler analysis (shorter listening window) and less aggressive processing defaults.
3. Analysis Time and Genre Detection: You mentioned using a one-minute analysis in Ozone 12, compared to Ozone 11’s shorter default. Ozone 12’s extended analysis (up to 60 seconds) is designed to capture more of the track’s dynamics, but it might overemphasize certain elements, like bass, if the loudest section analyzed has prominent low-end content. Reviews note that Ozone 12’s Custom Master Assistant is more musical and context-aware than previous versions, but it could still misinterpret genre or overcorrect based on the analyzed section. For example, a review on Mix & Master My Song found Ozone 12’s analysis more musical but still dependent on selecting the correct genre profile for balanced results. If your mixes are being analyzed as bass-heavy genres (e.g., hip-hop or EDM), this could lead to the bass boost and treble roll-off you’re hearing.
4. Comparison to Ozone 11: Ozone 11’s Master Assistant, while advanced for its time, relied on a shorter analysis window and simpler AI algorithms, which might have resulted in less aggressive low-end processing. Its Clarity module and Low-End Focus were less sophisticated than Ozone 12’s Bass Control and Stem EQ, potentially leading to a more neutral starting point that you perceive as balanced. Reviews of Ozone 11 suggest it could sometimes sound overly bright or sharp, which might align with your preference for its output compared to Ozone 12’s warmer, bass-heavy tilt.

Possible Explanation: The treble roll-off and bass addition could result from Ozone 12’s new Bass Control module and the Master Assistant’s tendency to prioritize low-end punch, especially if the analysis leans toward bass-heavy genre targets or if the Stem EQ is subtly attenuating highs on certain elements (e.g., vocals or instruments) to reduce harshness. The extended analysis time might also amplify this effect by capturing more low-end dynamics.

Suggestions:

• Adjust Master Assistant Settings: In Ozone 12’s Custom Master Assistant, try setting a genre profile that aligns closely with your mix (e.g., Pop or Rock for less bass emphasis) and reduce the Intensity slider toward “Subtle.” You can also disable the Bass Control module or manually tweak its settings to reduce low-end boost.
• Check Stem EQ Moves: Solo the Stem EQ for vocals or instruments to see if high frequencies are being cut. You might need to manually boost treble in these stems to counteract the roll-off.
• Shorten Analysis Time: Experiment with a shorter analysis window (e.g., 10–20 seconds) focusing on a balanced section of your track to see if it reduces the bass-heavy bias.
• Compare with Manual Settings: Bypass the Master Assistant entirely and build a chain manually using Ozone 12’s EQ and Dynamics modules to achieve the balance you preferred in Ozone 11.

Stuttering Issues with Ozone 12
The stuttering issue you’re experiencing after running Ozone 12’s Master Assistant, particularly when it affects Ozone 11 in the same session, is concerning and likely related to technical performance or compatibility. Here’s a breakdown:

1. CPU Intensity of New Modules: Ozone 12’s new modules, particularly the IRC 5 Maximizer and Stem EQ, are noted to be CPU-intensive due to their advanced machine learning and real-time stem separation. A review on Gearspace mentions that IRC 5 can cause crackling or stuttering if buffer settings are too low, and higher buffer sizes or disabling features like Transient Emphasis and True Peak limiting can mitigate this. Your issue might stem from Ozone 12 pushing your DAW’s CPU beyond its limits, especially if you’re running multiple instances or other plugins like Ozone 11.
2. Interaction with Ozone 11: The fact that Ozone 11 behaves fine on its own but stutters when used after Ozone 12 suggests a potential conflict or resource overload. Ozone 12’s neural net-based processing (e.g., Stem EQ and Bass Control) requires significant computational power, and running both versions in the same session might cause memory or CPU allocation issues. It’s possible that Ozone 12’s processing leaves residual demands on your system, impacting Ozone 11’s performance.
3. DAW and System Compatibility: Ozone 12 supports modern systems (macOS Ventura 13.7+, Windows 10 22H2+, 64-bit only, VST3/AAX/AU formats) and is optimized for Apple Silicon and recent Windows DAWs. However, if your system is older or your DAW’s buffer settings are low, you might encounter performance issues. Reviews confirm Ozone 12 runs smoothly on modern systems, but stuttering can occur with low buffer sizes or high CPU loads.
4. Known Issues: While no widespread reports specifically mention stuttering after the Master Assistant, Gearspace users have noted crackling with IRC 5 that resolves when rendering or adjusting buffer settings. Your issue might be related to real-time processing demands, especially since restarting the DAW resolves it, suggesting a temporary resource bottleneck.

Possible Causes:

• Low Buffer Size: If your DAW’s buffer size is set too low (e.g., 64 or 128 samples), Ozone 12’s CPU-heavy modules might overwhelm your system, causing stuttering.
• Plugin Conflict: Running Ozone 11 and 12 in the same session might create conflicts, especially if both are processing stems or using AI-driven features simultaneously.
• System Resources: Insufficient RAM, CPU power, or outdated drivers could exacerbate performance issues, particularly with Ozone 12’s advanced neural net processing.

Suggestions:

• Increase Buffer Size: In your DAW (e.g., Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Ableton), increase the buffer size to 512 or 1024 samples during playback to reduce CPU strain. This is particularly effective for real-time processing.
• Disable CPU-Intensive Features: In Ozone 12, try disabling Transient Emphasis or True Peak limiting in the IRC 5 Maximizer, as suggested in reviews, to lower CPU load.
• Run Only One Version: Avoid using Ozone 11 and 12 in the same session. If you need to compare, render the output from one before loading the other to minimize conflicts.
• Check System Specs: Ensure your system meets Ozone 12’s requirements (e.g., macOS 13.7+ or Windows 10 22H2+). Update your DAW, OS, and audio drivers to the latest versions.
• Test Offline Rendering: If stuttering occurs during playback, try rendering the track with Ozone 12 applied. Gearspace users report that rendering often resolves crackling or stuttering issues.
• Contact iZotope Support: Since this issue seems specific and not widely reported, reach out to iZotope’s support team with details about your DAW, system specs, and buffer settings. They may have a patch or specific workaround.

General Thoughts on Ozone 12
Ozone 12 is widely praised for its innovative features, particularly Stem EQ, Bass Control, and the Unlimiter, which address common mastering challenges like fixing stereo mixes without multitracks and restoring dynamics in over-compressed tracks. Reviews highlight its ability to streamline workflows while offering deep control, making it a significant upgrade over Ozone 11. For example:

• MusicTech calls it a “significant update” due to its AI-powered tools and accessibility for all skill levels.
• Gearnews notes that Stem EQ and Bass Control take mastering to a new level, with cleaner stem separation and practical low-end solutions.
• Song Mix Master emphasizes its efficiency for professional results, especially for streaming-optimized masters.

However, there are criticisms:

• Pricing Concerns: Some users on Gearspace find the upgrade cost from Ozone 11 to 12 ($200–$279 for Advanced) steep, especially given iZotope’s recent pricing trends under Native Instruments.
• Overprocessing Risk: Similar to your experience, some Reddit users feel newer Ozone versions (including 11) can sound overly bright or digital, and the Master Assistant might apply heavy-handed settings. This aligns with your observation of Ozone 12’s bass-heavy output.
• CPU Demands: The new modules, especially IRC 5 and Stem EQ, are noted to be resource-intensive, which could contribute to your stuttering issue.

Community Sentiment: On platforms like Reddit and Gearspace, opinions are mixed. Some users love Ozone 12’s new tools for their precision and flexibility, while others prefer older versions (like Ozone 9) for their simplicity and less intrusive AI. Your experience with treble roll-off and bass emphasis isn’t explicitly echoed in reviews, but the sentiment about overprocessing or unbalanced AI suggestions is common among users who prefer manual control.

Recommendations

1. Fine-Tune Ozone 12:
   • Experiment with Custom Master Assistant settings (genre, intensity, module selection) to reduce bass emphasis and restore treble.
   • Use Stem EQ to manually boost high frequencies if the Assistant is cutting them.
   • Try shorter analysis times to see if it aligns closer to Ozone 11’s balanced output.
2. Address Stuttering:
   • Increase your DAW’s buffer size and disable CPU-heavy features like True Peak limiting.
   • Avoid running Ozone 11 and 12 together in the same session.
   • Test rendering the track to bypass real-time processing issues.
   • Update your system and DAW, and consider contacting iZotope support for specific troubleshooting.
3. Compare with Ozone 11:
   • If Ozone 11 consistently delivers the balance you prefer, consider sticking with it for now, especially if the stuttering persists in 12. You can still use Ozone 12’s new modules (e.g., Stem EQ) as individual plugins for specific tasks.
   • A/B test Ozone 11 and 12 on the same track with manual settings to isolate whether the issue is the Master Assistant or the modules themselves.
4. Community Feedback:
   • Check forums like Gearspace or Reddit’s r/mixingmastering for user workarounds on stuttering or bass-heavy outputs. You might find others with similar experiences.
   • Share your findings on these platforms to see if others report the same treble/bass imbalance or stuttering issues.

Final Thoughts
Ozone 12’s new features, like Bass Control and Stem EQ, are powerful but may lean toward aggressive low-end processing, especially if the Master Assistant misinterprets your track’s needs. The stuttering issue is likely tied to CPU demands or buffer settings, exacerbated by Ozone 12’s advanced processing. While Ozone 12 is a significant upgrade over 11 in terms of flexibility and innovation, your preference for 11’s balanced output suggests you might need to tweak 12’s settings or stick with 11 until the stuttering is resolved. Try the suggested adjustments, and if issues persist, iZotope’s demo period or support team can help you decide if 12 is worth keeping.

If you want, I can search for more user reports on X or other forums to see if others have experienced similar issues with treble roll-off or stuttering in Ozone 12. Let me know!

 

if you read my post you'll see it is not a CPU problem, because when I reopen the project, it works perfectly. There's no CPU spikes at all either. Let's see if those who use it have experienced something similar...

 

Hello @lysergyk, if you have such a large problem, how do you intend to solve it? Either it's the CPU or the Ozone product is faulty. Read what the AI says about it. Go back to the previous version and wait until the product has been fixed, and then test it again.

Spoiler: Source: Perplexity KI

Many users are reporting that the new Ozone 12 can significantly alter the tonal balance of their mixes, often by rolling off treble and boosting bass, similar to your experience. There also appears to be discussion about stability issues and workflow interruptions caused by Ozone 12, particularly when used alongside previous versions, mirroring the project stuttering and glitching problem described.

Treble Roll-off and Added Bass
Ozone 12 introduces new Bass Control features, using machine learning to "perfect" low-end balance, and some reviewers find that these tools increase bass presence substantially and can reduce high-frequency clarity.

The Master Assistant's behavior may be fundamentally changed compared to Ozone 11—Ozone 12’s AI seems more aggressive in adjusting overall spectral balance, especially in the low end, regardless of how long it "listens".

These tonal shifts are being discussed as a side effect of Ozone 12's approach to making mixes more "translation-friendly" across listening environments, but results can skew overly bass-heavy with duller highs depending on the input material and user preferences.

Stability and Stuttering Issues

There are growing user reports of stuttering and project instability after running the Master Assistant in Ozone 12, sometimes affecting subsequent use of other plugins or even Ozone 11 in the same session.

This glitchy behavior is not universally experienced but does seem tied to Ozone 12’s new backend processing and its interaction within certain DAWs or plugin chains. Closing/reopening the project is a common workaround.

Changes in Track Analysis

Ozone 12’s AI-based modules—including Bass Control and expanded stem separation—suggest a more complex and intrusive analysis than Ozone 11, with the intention of guiding mixes more assertively but possibly leading to over-processed or less "natural" sounding results for some users.

Sentiments across music communities indicate mixed reactions; some prefer older versions for a more transparent, less "opinionated" approach.

Community Feedback

Many users echo that Ozone 11 yields more balanced and transparent results, with less drastic frequency manipulation during Master Assistant operation.
Others applaud Ozone 12’s innovations but caution that the “smarter” features may require more manual tweaking to avoid excessive bass and high-frequency attenuation.

In summary, your experiences with spectral tilt and system instability align with broader feedback after Ozone 12's release. The new AI-driven modules actively shape mixes more aggressively, which may require adaptation or a lighter touch compared to Ozone 11.

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I am not asking you what to do and I can ask GPT myself if that is all you can come up with. And please keep your authoritarian tone to yourself, it's not impressing anyone. Again I ask for feedback, not a solution, read my first post! Do you register? So if all you have to offer is optimisation guides and AI platitudes, you are definitely not needed

 

Ozone 11 sounds better for now, after A/B testing with the same preset settings, I also noticed more clarity with version 11. Deleted 12 immediately (if it ain't broke, don't fix it) is sounded dull, less articulate and muffled. [ I'm guessing some code / maybe even GUI changes can have an effect on how a plugin sounds, audio is really temperamental]

on a side note, I've never had that problem with waves updates changing the sound though and people shit on them for being greedy [ W Cracked plugins - If it ain't broke don't fix it ]

And @PulseWave is not forced to respond or help you. Learn gratitude, any response or help you get in life is worth a thank you at least, even if it's not what you're looking for.

 

Early released builds of software after full version number upgrades always have issues. This is why you will see a few updates happen shortly after their release, and they will be .01 version number changes, They are fixing bugs. Waves do this same thing every time they put out a new .x update. Those Waves updates are almost monthly, and will usually result in another update in about a week. It has become nearly as predictable as the old "Patch Tuesday" Windows security updates, as they became known in IT/infosec communities.

Ableton and Fl Studio have had some of the same thing in the past few years, although nothing remotely like Waves. Conversely, this never almost never happens with Logic ;)

 

Last edited: Sep 10, 2025 at 11:26 AM