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

Purpose and Overview

Nectar 4 Advanced is a complete vocal production and mixing toolkit designed to streamline the workflow from tracking to final mix. It combines intelligent processing modules with a suite of component plugins, allowing you to achieve professional-sounding vocals efficiently. The platform is built around a Vocal Assistant that uses machine learning to create custom presets based on your audio and your desired reference.

Central to its design is the ability to handle every aspect of vocal production—from leveling and pitch correction to creative effects and background vocal generation. It aims to reduce manual tasks like volume automation and resonant frequency hunting, freeing you to focus on the creative decisions. Whether you are working on a demo or a full production, the tool provides a flexible, integrated environment.

Key Capabilities

The Auto-Level Module acts as an intelligent leveler, placed at the start of the chain to manage vocal dynamics transparently. Its Tame Noise feature distinguishes between sung and unsung content, leveling only tonal elements and avoiding artifacts. This reduces the need for manual automation. The module includes a mini view for quick access and offers Mix, Strength, and Range controls, as well as a sidechain mode to align other tracks with the vocal.

The Voices Module allows you to create vocal harmonies by selecting from a range of auto-harmony presets. You can refine the number of voices and chords in the editor, control whether they sing above or below the lead, and mix each voice individually. Additionally, the Backer Module uses AI to generate artificial background singers in various styles, with controls for tone, pitch, and formant blending to place them behind your lead vocal.

Workflow and Integration

The Vocal Assistant simplifies achieving a desired sound. You can choose from a library of targets or import a custom reference track to match its tone. It provides decisions about EQ, intensity, width, and effect blending, and also enables layering, shifting, and pitching of vocals. The Unmask feature helps prioritize the vocal by reducing competing mix elements directly from the assistant menu.

Nectar 4 Advanced includes 13 component plugins that you can insert in your DAW template to build custom chains. These cover pitch correction (with Celemony Melodyne 5 Essential), de-essing, compression, gating, saturation, reverb, delay, dimension, and more. It also features two 24-band Dynamic EQs with Follow EQ mode for pitch-tracking frequencies, and communicates with other iZotope plugins via Relay for tonal balancing.

Practical Applications

This tool is suited for music producers, mixing engineers, and content creators working with vocals. Use the Auto-Level Module to keep vocals consistent before applying other effects, or the Voices Module to quickly add harmonies without deep music theory knowledge. The Backer Module is ideal for adding depth to a demo or creatively altering ad-lib tracks.

For dialogue and podcast work, the Breath Control plugin reduces unwanted breaths while retaining audio quality. The Vocal Assistant can tailor the sound for both music and spoken word applications, and the preset library covers hundreds of options. Audiolens referencing is useful for matching a vocal to any reference track, making it easier to achieve a specific commercial sound.

Key features

• Vocal Assistant with machine learning presets
• Auto-Level Module with Tame Noise
• Voices Module for harmonies with MIDI mode
• Backer Module for AI background vocals
• 13 component plugins including Dynamic EQ and Melodyne 5 Essential
• Audiolens integration for reference matching
• Update license for owners of the qualifying edition specified in the product title

Best for

Best for producers and engineers seeking an all-in-one vocal chain that automates leveling, pitch, and harmonies, and provides flexible creative effects and reference matching for music and dialogue.