iZotope’s Ozone 8 is one of the most comprehensive software mastering suites currently available and has quickly become an essential plugin for producers. On this course by accomplished DJ producer and music educator Joshua Casper, you’ll acquire all the knowledge you need to be able create your own professional-sounding masters with Ozone.

After introducing the basics and the mastering assistant, which uses machine learning to automatically create custom presets specifically tailored to your track, Joshua moves onto the learn features, EQ matching and using the references panel, so you’ll quickly get up to speed with the main operational features and already be able to start mastering your own material to a reasonable level. However, the tutorials then progress into a detailed exploration of each of Ozone 8’s modules, covering both modern and vintage types and providing more than a few demonstrations along the way.

In addition to working with Tonal Balance Control, iZotope’s included software for assisted track equalisation, Joshua discusses general and global parameters, dithering, codec previews, and even how to export your track. The course then concludes with a realtime track mastering session, showing 2 different examples of mastering, one with modern and one with vintage modules, to compare the techniques used on each process and resulting mastered sound.

As well as accessing the streamed tutorials, signing up to the course provides access to a download pack containing 10 additional presets for Ozone and the premastered track from the videos, so you not only learn how to master with the software but also have extra materials for doing so. Check out the free sample modules from the course before signing up for an example of the tutorial content, which will enable your knowledge of Ozone and mastering to be fully realised!

Sample Module

Course Breakdown

Section 1

Introduction – Learn about the course in general then get a quick look at the Ins and Outs of Ozone 8’s interface, global parameters, and generally get acquainted with the program.

Lesson 1 - Intro

Lesson 2 - Global Controls

Section 2

Mastering Made Easy – This is a close look at all the ways Ozone 8 helps you get in and get high quality masters easily no matter your skill level. The Master Assistant, Learn Feature, Presets and Track Referencing can be found here.

Lesson 3 - Mastering Assistant

Lesson 4 - Presets

Lesson 5 - Learn Feature

Lesson 6 - References

Section 3

Modern Modules – In-depth clinical look at each modern module found in Ozone 8. Learn about every parameter and possibility for each. If you are looking to go to the next level, don’t skip this section.

Lesson 7 - EQ Basics

Lesson 8 - EQ Matching

Lesson 9 - Dynamic EQ

Lesson 10 - Dynamics

Lesson 11 - Exciter

Lesson 12 - Spectral Shaper

Lesson 13 - Imager

Lesson 14 - Maximiser

Section 4

Vintage Modules – In-depth clinical look at each of the vintage modules found in Ozone 8. Learn about every parameter and possibility for each. If you are looking to go to the next level, don’t skip this section.

Lesson 15 - Vintage EQ

Lesson 16 - Vintage Tape

Lesson 17 - Vintage Compressor

Lesson 18 - Vintage Limiter

Section 5

Pro Tip – Learn how to and why you might want to load 3^rd party VSTs inside Ozone 8’s standalone app.

Lesson 19 - Using 3rd Party VSTs

Section 6

Tonal Balance Control – Learn everything about this all new feature that ships with Ozone 8 and Neutron 2. How to set your targets and hit them to get that perfect EQ curve! Here we will tackle using this in both the standalone app and in your DAW and talk about how these two approaches are different.

Lesson 20 - TBC Standalone

Lesson 21 - TBC in the DAW

Section 7

Finals Stages – This looks at the Codec Preview, Dithering and Exporting options.

Lesson 22 - Codec Preview

Lesson 23 - Dithering

Lesson 24 - Exporting

Section 8

Mastering a Track – To bring this course to a close we will master a track, from start to finish, together… twice! Once using a modern approach and the second time the vintage! The premaster for my song “It’s a Shame” ft. Bulgarian reggae vocalist Irie Bear is available to download for all enrolled students so that you can follow along at home. This is the song we mixed in the Neutron 2 course here on Producertech.

Lesson 25 - Mastering with Modern Modules

Lesson 26 - Mastering with Vintage Modules