For me the choice is a no brainer. iZotope RX5 Advanced is such a powerful tool and has saved so many of my clients from serious problems with content they could not use through to it being used every week on the Pro Tools Expert Podcast.

Some highlights this year have been using Ambience Match and EQ Match to enable my client to cross cut between two interviews of the same contributor recorded on different equipment on different days. As this documentary was a story without a presenter, it was essential that we could tell the story with the actuality and personal testimony from the main character. Without RX5 we couldn't have edited between the two interviews in the way that would best tell the story.

On another occasion I was asked to clean up a choir recording that had been recorded in a basement with air conditioning. I routinely clean up comedy panel programmes recorded in less than ideal locations, as well as self shot documentaries where the location sound is less than ideal.

These stories are just the tip of the iceberg if examples where I have been able to bring audio back from the dead, including saving a complete TV studio programme from being reshot.

I previewed the new features added by iZotope to RX5 and RX5 Advanced ahead of its release last year.

Highlights In RX5 Audio Editor

De-plosive - With this module you can improve the quality of your dialogue by removing plosive pops and mic bumps that can occur during a recording.  This module alone will save loads of time.  With Spectral Repair we could take out pops and bangs, but you had to do it one at a time.  Now with De-plosive you can run through a complete file in seconds. (Advanced only)

Leveler - This module has been substantially improved with the addition of a built in de-esser to manage sibilance and a breath control to make sure breaths don't jump up and hit you in the face. (Advanced only)

AudioSuite Ambience Match Plug-in - iZotope introduced Ambience Match into the standalone version of RX4 Advanced. Now we can use the power of Ambience Match to create and insert 'Fill' or create dedicated 'Fill' tracks from the corresponding dialog tracks using an AudioSuite plug-in without having to leave Pro Tools. (Advanced only)

Instant Process Tool - When cleaning field up with modules like Spectral Repair, it can be really tedious to keep having to select an area of audio and then mouse up to the module and hit Process. Also the module window can get in the way. With the new Instant Process feature, once you have selected your bit of audio, it is processed immediately, so you can move straight onto the next problem area. Instant Process has several different modes - Attenuate, De-click, Fade, and Gain, and Replace. 

Module Chain - Often we need to use a number of modules to process a clip of audio, and until now we had to select a module one at a time. Now with Module Chain we can process clips with multiple modules all at once again saving valuable time and mouse clicks.

De-reverb - iZotope introduced De-verb into RX Advanced. With RX5, De-reverb will be available in the standard version as well as the Advanced version.

Corrective EQ - The EQ module in RX has undergone an overhaul and has a very similar look and feel to the EQ section in Final Mix. Now with 6 fully parametric bands and new filters to be used for cutting harsh high frequencies, rolling off low rumbles, reducing standing waves from a boomy location recording or increasing the intelligibility of dialogue.

Clip By Clip Processing with Pro Tools - You can now use Clip by Clip processing with the  RX Connect plug-in to take multiple clips across into the standalone version of RX, work on then in RX and then ship them back into Pro Tools still as separate clips.