Ozone Imager 2 is one of the best free plugins available. It does one thing (stereo imaging) exceptionally well, includes pro‑level visual feedback, and adds zero latency or noticeable CPU hit. For the price of $0, it’s an easy recommendation for any DAW user.
Available as VST3, AU, AAX for macOS and Windows. No iLok required.
Ozone Imager 2 is a popular, free stereo imaging plugin from
designed to help music producers and audio engineers control the "width" of their sound. Derived from the legendary imaging technology found in iZotope's flagship mastering suite,
, this standalone tool is widely used for everything from subtle mix widening to turning mono tracks into full stereo. Core Features of Ozone Imager 2
The plugin focuses on simplicity and high-quality visual feedback to guide mixing and mastering decisions. Stereoize Mode (I & II):
This is the plugin's standout feature, allowing users to transform a mono audio source into a stereo one without relying on reverb or doubling. Stereoize I:
Provides a more "colorful" and creative phasing effect, often great for adding character to synths or guitars. Stereoize II:
A more modern, transparent algorithm designed for "surgical" widening. It is specifically optimized to avoid phase issues, making it ideal for percussive sounds like drums. Width Control: A simple slider that ranges from -100 (narrow/mono) 100 (wide)
. It allows you to spread out narrow synths or pull a stray bass guitar back into the center for a tighter low end. Advanced Visualizations: The plugin features three different vectorscope
modes—Polar Sample, Polar Level, and Lissajous—alongside a Correlation Meter
. These tools provide real-time feedback on your stereo image, helping you identify potential phase cancellation or mono compatibility problems. Fully Resizable UI:
Unlike many basic free plugins, Ozone Imager 2 has a fluid, scalable interface. Users can click and drag to resize the window to get a more detailed view of the vectorscopes. Why Use It?
Producers often reach for Ozone Imager 2 because it solves several common mix problems for free: ozone imager 2
iZotope выпускает новую бесплатную версию Ozone Imager 2
iZotope Ozone Imager 2 is a popular free stereo imaging plugin designed to control and enhance the spatial characteristics of audio tracks. Derived from the imaging technology in iZotope's flagship Ozone mastering suite
, this standalone tool is widely used for widening narrow synths, spreading mono vocals, or focusing low-end elements like bass and kick drums. Key Features Stereoize Modes Stereoize I
: The classic "colorful" mode that adds a more creative phasing effect to guitars or vocals. Stereoize II
: A newer, smoother algorithm that provides natural, transparent widening without introducing phase artifacts, making it ideal for percussive sounds. Width Control
: A simple fader to widen or narrow the stereo image. Narrowing is especially useful for centering low-frequency content like bass to keep the mix tight. Advanced Visualizations
: Includes three different vectorscope meters (Polar Sample, Polar Level, and Lissajous) and a Correlation Meter to monitor mono compatibility in real-time. Resizability
: The interface is fully resizable, allowing for detailed visual monitoring of the stereo field. Use Cases & Benefits How I Use Ozone Imager 2 (Free VST) to Make My Synths Wider
Ozone Imager 2: A Comprehensive Guide to iZotope’s Free Stereo Widening Plugin
Ozone Imager 2 by iZotope is a specialized audio imaging utility designed to manipulate the perceived width of a sound in a stereo field. Originally derived from the professional imaging technology found in iZotope's flagship Ozone mastering suite, this standalone version is offered as a free VST/AU/AAX plugin for music producers and audio engineers. Core Features and Functionality
The plugin is built to be a simple, lightweight tool for two primary tasks: narrowing a sound to make it more centered (mono-like) or widening it to fill the stereo field.
Stereoize Mode: This is the plugin's standout feature, allowing users to transform a mono audio source into a stereo signal without relying on traditional reverb or doubling techniques.
Stereoize I: Offers a "colorful" effect with more noticeable phasing, often used for creative character on synths or guitars. Ozone Imager 2 is one of the best free plugins available
Stereoize II: A newer algorithm introduced in version 2 that provides a more subtle, natural-sounding enhancement, making it better suited for delicate adjustments.
Width Control: A simple slider that allows you to spread narrow sounds out to the edges of your speakers or pull wide sounds into the center.
Mono Compatibility: Ozone Imager 2 is designed to maintain mono-compatibility, meaning the stereo effects added typically do not cause significant phase cancellation or disappear when the track is summed to mono. Advanced Visual Feedback
Unlike basic pan pots, Ozone Imager 2 provides three distinct Vectorscope meters to help producers "see" their stereo image in real-time:
Polar Sample: Visualizes the stereo energy and balance between the left and right channels.
Polar Level: Focuses on the level distribution across the stereo field.
Lissajous: A classic visualization that shows the relationship between channels, helpful for spotting phase issues.
The interface is also fully resizable, which is useful for professionals using secondary monitors to keep a constant eye on their stereo correlation. Practical Applications in Mixing and Mastering
Audio technicians often use the iZotope Ozone Imager 2 for specific corrective or creative tasks:
Tightening the Low End: Engineers frequently use it to narrow the width of bass guitars or kick drums to ensure they stay powerful and centered.
Widening Melodic Elements: It is a popular choice for making pianos, synths, and cymbals sound "larger than life" by spreading them across the stereo image.
Vocal Processing: Producers often apply a small amount of Stereoize II to lead or background vocals to give them more air and presence without cluttering the center of the mix. Technical Compatibility
The plugin is compatible with most major Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools. It supports: iZotope Ozone Imager 2 Demo Available as VST3, AU, AAX for macOS and Windows
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.
| Feature | Ozone Imager 2 (Free) | Waves S1 Imager | Kilohearts Haas | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Price | Free | $99+ | Free | | Method | M/S + Stereoize II | M/S + Rotation | Haas Delay | | Mono Safety | Excellent (Correlation Meter) | Good | Poor (Prone to phase issues) | | Visual Feedback | Vectorscope + Meter | Basic Meter | None | | Ease of Use | Simple | Moderate | Very Simple |
Verdict: Ozone Imager 2 offers professional-grade visuals and processing that rivals paid plugins, for free. The correlation meter alone makes it superior to many free Haas-based wideners.
| Feature | Ozone Imager 2 (Free) | Wider (Free) | Polyverse Wider (Free) | Brainworx bx_solo (Free) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Algorithm | Stereoize (Harmonic) | Simple M/S | Psychedelic (Phase-based) | M/S soloing only | | Mono Compatibility | Excellent | Good | Excellent (no phase issues) | N/A | | Visual Feedback | Vectorscope & Meter | None | None | Goniometer | | Best Use Case | Mastering / Mix Bus | Individual synth layers | Pads / FX / Vocals | Checking mixes |
1. No Multi-Band Functionality The full Ozone Imager (paid) allows you to widen only the high frequencies while keeping the bass mono. In Ozone Imager 2, the "Stereoize" knob affects the entire frequency spectrum. If you widen a bass-heavy loop, you will introduce phase issues in the sub frequencies. Workaround: Use a crossover filter before the plugin or use the free "Utility" mode instead of Stereoize for basses.
2. Subtle, Not Surgical This is a "set and forget" tool. You cannot draw automation curves for specific frequency bands or adjust the "Panorama" tilt beyond the basic width knob. For advanced stereo shaping, you still need the paid Ozone Standard/Advanced.
3. GUI Scaling Issues On 4K or high-DPI monitors, the plugin window can feel a bit small. There is no drag-to-resize corner. It's readable, but not as polished as modern plugins like Serum or Vital.
Pros:
Cons:
The animated polar display in the center is a vectorscope. It plots the stereo relationship of your audio in real-time.