iZotope Upgrades RX With A Film-focused Stem Separation Module & Improved Machine Learning


iZotope has announced RX 12, the latest version of its audio editing and restoration suite RX.

RX 12 promises an improved workflow and a smoother interface.

A favourite of professionals working in film, mastering or post-production, RX specialises in tools that can fix and adjust old or poorly-recorded audio sources. Fully flexible, RX 12 advances further into this niche with the introduction of several new tools aimed at reworking audio, as well as by rebuilding some existing elements of the software with improved machine learning.

According to iZotope: “Whether you’re releasing albums, mixing dialogue, or editing podcasts, RX makes pristine audio achievable, fast. From blockbuster films and chart-topping tracks to home recordings and anything in between, RX offers a vast collection of plugins and editing tools that you can rely on to rescue any audio.”

The most interesting addition is the Scene Rebalance module, specifically designed for use in audio-visual production. Scene Rebalance uses AI-assisted separation in order to divide film or TV scenes into individual dialogue, music and effects tracks, which can then be edited and rebalanced individually.

This makes use of RX’s new Stem View, which also comes to RX’s other separation plugins. This view allows audio files to be divided into their component parts – via Scene Rebalance or the existing Music Rebalance and Dialogue Isolate modules – and then allows each stem to be processed using the full suite of RX tools.

The Music Rebalance and Dialogue Isolate tools have also been enhanced. Both are now available as standalone plugins, and can be used both in realtime and offline mode. According to iZotope, all of these separation tools now benefit from improved neural nets, resulting in cleaner quality stems.

RX 12 also introduces a new Trim Silence feature, for automatically identifying and deleting periods of silence, with the aim of speeding up editing for those working with things like dialogue, podcasts or audiobook recordings.

Beyond these additions, iZotope says that RX 12 incorporates a variety of workflow and UI improvements, including a smoother, updated interface with a larger spectrogram, a new module search function and a resizable history panel.

Here’s What’s New in RX 12:

  • Brand-new modules – Independently adjust dialogue, music, and effects in post production with the new Scene Rebalance module, and manage long audio files in a flash with Trim Silence.
  • Deeper control – Visually split your audio into stems with Stems View (via Scene Rebalance, Music Rebalance, or Dialogue Isolate), then apply any RX tool exactly where you need it.
  • Better results, faster – Updated neural nets, new realtime plugins, rebuilt fan-favorites with cutting-edge machine learning – the new RX 12 toolkit makes crystal-clear audio easier than ever.
  • Overhauled experience – Make finer edits with a larger default spectrogram, skip menu diving with a new module search, easily trace your steps with a resizable History panel, and much more.

As before, RX 12 will be available in three tiers, containing a varied collection of tools. The top-end RX Advanced has the full suite of 50+ modules, and costs $1399. RX Standard, which is focused more at music producers than post-production, costs $399.

The most affordable entry point, RX Elements, includes six ‘essential’ plugins focused around RX’s intelligent Repair Assistant feature, and costs $99.

iZotope also states that, “with RX 12, iZotope has redesigned its loyalty pricing to offer even deeper discounts for those with more recent versions of RX.”

Visit the official site for more information.

 

Vintage Synth Review: Yamaha DX7

Composer & synthesist David Hilowitz – in his latest video – offers a vintage synth review of the Yamaha DX7.

Along the way, he offers an intro t0 FM synthesis, an overview of the DX7 and his thoughts on its role in music history.

Best line: “The previous owner has loaded the upper banks with weird, experimental sounds. Or maybe the memory got corrupted – I can’t tell which!”

Watch the video and share your thoughts on the Yamaha DX7 in the comments!

 

Focusrite Intros ISA C8X Audio Interface


Today, Focusrite announces ISA C8X, the first audio interface in the company’s ISA range – a product line that draws on the legacy of Focusrite’s ISA mic preamp circuit.

A 26-in, 28-out USB-C interface housed in a distinctive blue 2U rackmount chassis, ISA C8X is equipped with two of Focusrite’s ISA mic preamps, featuring the same Lundahl LL1538 input transformers that defined the sound of Rupert Neve’s original ISA 110 and 130 modules.

Delivering up to 79dB of gain, switchable impedance and balanced inserts, the ISA preamps offer additional sonic flavouring via the interface’s all-analogue Console and 430 Air modes, the former bringing saturation and “low-end punch” and the latter adding “high-end shimmer”. Two front-panel instrument inputs utilize the Lundahl transformer circuitry and can access the same two modes.

The C8X’s ISA preamps are joined by an additional six Focusrite mic preamps that the company says provide ultra-low-noise performance with 69dB of gain, and the interface is capable of 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA conversion with up to 125dB of dynamic range. All eight preamps can be controlled remotely with Focusrite’s Control 2 software and benefit from multichannel Auto Gain.

Twelve balanced line outputs mean the C8X supports immersive monitoring in formats up to 7.1.4., and you get dual class AB headphone outputs with independent level control alongside MIDI and word clock I/O. And if you need to expand your setup with additional hardware, ADAT and S/PDIF connectivity is onboard to do just that.

ISA C8X arrives bundled with Hitmaker Expansion, a suite of software that includes the Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC plugin, an emulation of the ISA 110 and 130 modules from the original Studio Console, and Sonnox’s Oxford Reverb, a versatile algorithmic reverb.

The first ISA preamp was developed in 1985 by Focusrite founder Rupert Neve at the request of Beatles producer George Martin, and was later incorporated into Focusrite’s Forte and Studio consoles before being deployed in the company’s Red Range of preamps and EQs. Focusrite recently released a documentary on the story behind the ISA range.

“ISA is what Focusrite was founded upon, and it’s been beloved by artists and engineers worldwide for over 40 years,” Focusrite Product Manager Jack Cole said in a statement.

“The essence of the ISA sound remains the same, but we’ve taken some big leaps forward with ISA C8X in modernising the workflow. We felt it was important to augment those ISA preamps with features that befit the ISA name and benefit professional, project, and home studios alike.”

Focusrite ISA C8X is priced at $1999.99