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Native Instruments releases Ozone 11, Nectar 4 and Guitar Rig 7, and brings them together in Music Production Suite 6

Native Instruments today announced Music Production Suite 6, a collection that includes more than 30 plugins across NI, iZotope, and Brainworx product lines, including new versions of Ozone, Nectar, and Guitar Rig.

Ozone 11 Advanced mastering package now comes with a Clarity Module to “maximise spectral power”, and its new Stem Focus feature promises to salvage problematic mixes by working its magic on isolated stems within them.

Nectar 4 Advanced vocal processing bundle gets an Auto-Level module that can be used as an alternative to a compressor, a Voices module for layering and creating “harmonic motion”, and an AI-powered Backer module that delivers virtual backing vocals.

Guitar Rig Pro 7, a guitar effects toolbox includes 100 new rack presets, four new lo-fi components, and new amps and pedals powered by machine learning.

Music Production Suite 6 also contains Neutron 4, RX 10 Standard, Neoverb, Tonal Balance Control 2, Insight 2, VocalSynth 2, Audiolens, two Exponential Audio reverbs, the Brainworx Creative Mixing Set, and several Native Instruments effects.

What NI say about it:

“Music Production Suite 6 leverages AI-powered processing to provide a customized starting point for every step of the creative journey, from balancing levels and effects to the final mastering polish. For example, quickly analyze and tone-match the sound of your favorite vocalist using Nectar 4’s Vocal Assistant. Or capture the sound of your favorite track with Ozone 11’s Mastering Assistant and receive suggested settings for width, dynamics, loudness, and more.

Inter-plugin communication streamlines workflows throughout the mixing process, allowing iZotope plugins to listen to each other to detect masking between tracks and vocals, suggest level balance settings, mix tracks visually, reference audio from any source, and much more.”

Features:

• Ozone 11 Advanced offers powerful new enhancements to provide a comprehensive mastering toolkit for artists and audio professionals alike.
• Nectar 4 makes it easier than ever to achieve professional-quality vocals with a suite of plugins that provide complete control over vocal sound.
• Guitar Rig 7 Pro is a creative effects playground packed with sought-after guitar
• and bass amps, studio effects, and pedals.
• Additional plugins include:
  • Neutron 4: A complete suite for crafting professional mixes
  • RX 10 Standard: The industry standard in audio repair
  • Neoverb: The smartest reverb plugin for music producers
  • Tonal Balance Control 2: A powerful meter for balancing a mix
  • Insight 2 An intelligent metering suite for mixing, mastering, and post production
  • VocalSynth 2 Innovative effects for creative vocals
  • Audiolens: Easy track referencing from any music streaming platform
  • Exponential Audio Immersive Reverbs: Symphony 3D and Stratus 3D
  • Brainworx Creative Mixing Set: Bx_delay 2500, Bx_boom!, Bx_subsynth, Bx cleansweep pro, Bx_refinement, Bx_saturator V2
  • Native Instruments effects: Raum, Crushpack, Modpack, Supercharger GT, Replika XT, Solid Mix Series, Transient Master, Driver

Music Production Suite 6 and the new flagship applications are available now, with intro pricing through October 11, 2023:

• Music Production Suite 6: $449 introductory, regular $599
• Ozone 11 Advanced: $299 introductory, regular $399
• Ozone 11 Standard: $149 introductory, regular $199
• Ozone 11 Elements: $39 introductory, regular $49
• Nectar 4 Advanced: $224 introductory, regular $299
• Nectar 4 Standard: $149 introductory, regular $199
• Nectar 4 Elements: $39 introductory, regular $49
• Guitar Rig 7 Pro: $199

You can find out more on the iZotope and Native Instruments websites.

Native Instruments today introduced the new Traktor X1 MK3 USB DJ controller, a compact, modular controller that they say is designed for DJs who want portability, powerful effects control, and intuitive operation.

Building on the X1 MK1 and MK2 models, X1 MK3 adds innovative new features, based on feedback from the Traktor community:

• A highly visual design allows DJs to focus on their performance instead of looking at a laptop. Five OLED displays reveal essential track and effect information, including track progress, track name, loop size, selected effects, and effect parameters.
• An advanced lighting system notifies performers with key information, like when a track is about to run out or if it’s running in a loop. DJs can also choose from a spectrum of colors to customize the ambient lighting and button color, perfect for matching their unique style or brand. Accessibility enhancements include tactile dots across the controller and increased button sizes, making it easier for performers to orient themselves, even in low light environments.
• The new “Mixer Mode” allows DJs to press a single button to switch from effects mode to mixer mode, instantly take control of EQs and channel levels, and transition tracks while monitoring all four channel levels on the displays.
• X1 can be customized to meet your specific needs. Make adjustments to mapping with a customization page in Traktor Pro and color-code each button group to easily identify different functions.
• A three-port powered USB hub extends connectivity, allowing you to connect to CDJs, your custom setups, or additional X1 units.

X1 MK3 comes bundled with the latest version of NI’s flagship DJ software, Traktor Pro 3. Traktor Pro 3 includes sonic sculpting tools, professional audio quality, and a clear and intuitive interface. Additional features include time-stretching, an improved limiter, a huge array of effects, and a wide range of options for customizing your mixing workflow.

Traktor X1 MK3 is available for pre-order with the following pricing:

€ 299 / $ 299 / JPY 42.900 / £ 259 / AUD 449 / CAD 389 / CHF 299 / CNY ¥ 2.399

Traktor X1 MK3 will be available online and in stores on September 20, 2023.

Native Instruments has announced that it is dumping the Soundwide brand, announced in April of 2022 as the parent company for NI, iZotope, Plugin Alliance, Brainworx and Sound Stacks.

As of today, though, that’s all changed, as it’s just been confirmed that iZotope, Brainworx and Plugin Alliance are now part of Native Instruments. The company says that the move will help create a seamless and consistent experience for customers that use Native Instruments, iZotope, and Brainworx products.

If you’re a little confused, we are sure you’re not the only one. The bosses of the company formerly known as Soundwide are now saying that they’re moving forward with the NI name on the masthead because it’s “more familiar to our community,” which is certainly true.

Native says that they’re making the change because:

“What about Soundwide?

Some of you might remember back in 2022 when iZotope, Native Instruments, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx came together as a group called Soundwide. While the spirit of Soundwide lives on—our brands coming together to empower creativity—the Soundwide name wasn’t as familiar to our community.

With that in mind, we made the choice to move forward with a brand that more people know and love: Native Instruments.”

This is more than just a rebranding exercise. In the future, you can expect to be able to use one login across all the brands, while NI’s Native Access will become the preferred destination for installing and authenticating a broader range of products, negating the need for multiple similar tools. There will be one customer care centre, and we’re promised a “one-stop shop” that will enable you to explore all products, loyalty offers and upgrades. Expect a more “tightly-connected” experience across all products, too.

No timeframe has been announced for all of this to be implemented, but you can expect to see some changes this year. These include more iZotope products in Native Access (with more Brainworx titles to follow next year) and more cross-brand content on the Native Instruments blog and social media channels. There could also be cross-pollination of features and new bundle offers.

Because it’s a vendor for third-party plugins, Plugin Alliance will remain distinct from the rest of the brands, but sales and special pricing offers will be coordinated across the year. Evidence of this can be seen in the current Summer of Sound campaign, which features savings of up to 50% on iZotope, Native Instruments, Plugin Alliance and Brainworx products.

The company says that they are working to make it possible to:

• Use one unified login for your accounts across the brands, so you don’t have to remember multiple sets of login details;
• Utilize Native Access as the preferred destination for installing and authenticating a broader range of products, reducing the need for multiple product installation tools;
• Get access to one Customer Care center to get the support you need, across all product lines;
• Visit a one-stop Shop and discover products across all their brands, including loyalty offers and upgrades; and
• Explore more tightly connected experiences and technologies across NI products.