Ozone Imager 2 [ TRUSTED ]
How does the free Ozone Imager 2 stack up against paid imagers like Waves S1, Soundtoys MicroShift, or Polyverse Wider?
| Feature | Ozone Imager 2 | Waves S1 | Polyverse Wider | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Price | Free | $29+ | Free | | Stereoize Mode | Yes (v1 & v2) | No | Yes (Proprietary) | | Visual Feedback | Vector Scope + Correlation | Correlation only | None | | Mono Compatibility | Excellent (v2) | Good | Perfect (Phase-free) | | CPU Load | Very Low | Low | Medium |
The Verdict: While Polyverse Wider is mathematically phase-free, it only creates width. Ozone Imager 2 offers surgical M/S widening plus creative Stereoization plus diagnostics. For a free plugin, it is arguably the most versatile imager on the market.
Ozone Imager 2 is a polished, approachable visualization tool ideal for educators, communicators, and anyone needing fast, clear ozone and UV maps. It excels at accessibility and clarity but is intentionally lightweight — users requiring rigorous analysis or bulk data access will need to combine it with dedicated scientific tools.
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iZotope Ozone Imager 2 is a free, standalone stereo imaging plugin that allows you to control the width of your audio and turn mono signals into stereo. Key Controls & Features Width Slider: Adjusts the existing stereo image.
Positive values: Spreads the sound out toward the speakers for a "wider" feel.
Negative values: Narrows the sound, effectively turning stereo tracks into mono at -100%.
Stereoize Modes: Uses a Haas-like effect to create a stereo image from a mono source. Stereoize I: A classic mode for transparent widening. How does the free Ozone Imager 2 stack
Stereoize II: A newer algorithm designed to preserve transients and maintain better mono compatibility.
Visualizers: Includes three metering modes—Polar Level, Polar Sample, and Vectorscope—to monitor the shape and phase of your stereo field.
6 tips for using the free Ozone Imager for spacious, wide mixes - iZotope
Stereoize v2 is the standout feature of Ozone Imager 2. It is a psychoacoustic width enhancer that analyzes the incoming audio and creates decorrelated copies of the signal. Unlike v1, v2 is designed to be mono-compatible. Ozone Imager 2 is a polished, approachable visualization
When you apply Stereoize v2, you are not just boosting the Side signal; you are recreating the timbre of the sound in the stereo field. It sounds natural, wide, and transparent. This is the go-to mode for:
Located at the bottom, this is arguably the most critical safety tool in the plugin. The meter reads from -1 to +1.
The meter turns from green (safe) to yellow (caution) to red (danger) as it moves left. A good rule of thumb is to keep the meter above 0.
One of the best uses of Imager 2 is reducing stereo width on bass sounds. Stereo bass causes phase cancellation and weak low-end.
This mode is a throwback to older Ozone versions. It uses a complex network of delay, filtering, and phase manipulation to create width. Stereoize v1 tends to add a metallic or "flange-like" character to the sound. It is excellent for: