iZotope Nectar 4 Standard Update from any previous version/edition of Nectar — Free Download

Core Purpose

Nectar 4 Standard is designed for mixing, producing, and designing vocals. It combines multiple tools into one interface, allowing you to handle everything from corrective EQ to creative effects. The suite is built around a workflow that starts with a Vocal Assistant, which uses machine learning to create a starting point based on your audio and mix context. From there, you can refine with dedicated modules for harmony, background vocals, and referencing.

The package includes two specialized 24-band dynamic EQs tailored for vocals, featuring adaptive nodes and pitch tracking. The Follow EQ mode allows the EQ to track the vocal’s pitch automatically, removing resonant frequencies without manual editing. It also includes an improved Unmask feature that reduces competing mix elements directly from the Vocal Assistant’s menu. Inter-plugin communication with other iZotope plugins helps address tonal balance and masking in your session.

Key Capabilities

The Voices Module simplifies creating vocal layers. You can choose from a selection of auto-harmonies, engage MIDI mode for precise note control, and customize the number of voices and chords using an editor. A Direction control adjusts whether voices sing above or below the lead, and the Mixer View provides intuitive soundstage management.

The Backer Module uses AI to create artificial background singers. It offers multiple styles, and you can import your own acapella to create custom styles. Tone, Pitch, and Formant controls let you blend backup singers behind the lead, with automation for shifting and style selection to create movement throughout the track. Note that the AI is trained only on English-speaking vocal data.

Workflow

Workflow in Nectar 4 Standard emphasizes starting quickly and refining later. Begin with the Vocal Assistant, which provides targets from your library or a custom reference. Import a reference track, and the assistant matches its tone, making decisions about EQ, intensity, width, and blending of effects like dimension, reverb, and delay. You can layer, shift, and pitch vocals from the assistant’s page for added depth.

The Audiolens Referencing feature works with an external Audiolens plugin to separate the vocal from any reference source, providing a tone target. You can build a library of custom reference targets for quick access in any session. This integrates with the Vocal Assistant for a streamlined referencing workflow. For pitch correction, the suite includes Celemony Melodyne 5 Essential, a precise tool for time and pitch adjustments.

Practical Applications

Nectar 4 Standard suits a range of vocal production tasks. Use the Voices Module to create instant harmonies for demos or full productions, whether you need simple layered choruses or complex chord structures. The Backer Module is useful for quickly adding background vocals without recording additional singers—ideal for songwriter demos or creative ad-lib treatments.

For mixing, the Vocal Assistant helps you fit lead vocals into a dense mix, with Unmask to carve out space. The dynamic EQs are effective for both corrective work and creative tonal shaping. With hundreds of presets, you can speed up workflows for music or dialogue. The included Relay plugin acts as a hub for connecting with the rest of your iZotope plugin collection, enabling cohesive tonal balance across your mix.

Key features

• Vocal Assistant with machine learning for custom presets
• Voices Module for auto-harmonies and MIDI control
• Backer Module for AI-backed background singers
• Audiolens integration for vocal referencing
• Two dynamic EQs with Follow EQ mode
• Melodyne 5 Essential for pitch and time correction
• Update license for owners of the qualifying edition specified in the product title

Best for

Best for music producers and engineers who want an all-in-one AI-assisted tool for vocal mixing, harmonizing, and referencing, especially in pop, rock, or electronic genres where quick iteration is key.