Northstar by M Media Audio is a one-window mastering console with three EQ banks, FET/VCA/Vari-Mu, and a true-peak limiter. $59 launch, $99 regular.
Plugin comparison
Northstar vs iZotope Ozone 12 Advanced
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which effect to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
9.0Essential
Ozone 12 Advanced is iZotope's AI-assisted mastering suite with 20 modules, including Stem EQ, Bass Control, Unlimiter, and IRC 5 Maximizer.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Northstar | iZotope Ozone 12 Advanced |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59 launch / $99 | €549 |
| Dubspot Score | — | 9.0 |
| Formats | VST3, AU | VST3, AU, AAX |
| Type | One-window mastering console | — |
| Price | $59 through 4 October 2026, then $99 | — |
| Licence | Perpetual, three activations | — |
| EQ | Three banks, Dual / Mid / Side, six bands each | — |
| Dynamics | FET, VCA, Vari-Mu, six orders | — |
| Loudness | Set Level, −24 to −5 LUFS, within 0.25 LU | — |
| Ceiling | −3 to 0 dBTP, default −1 | — |
| Latency | About 474 samples limiter on, 3 samples limiter off | — |
| Windows | 10 or 11, VST3 | — |
| macOS | 11 or later, Apple Silicon and Intel, VST3 and AU | — |
| Linux | Ubuntu 22.04 or equivalent, VST3, libsodium required | — |
| Not included | AAX | — |
| Edition | — | Ozone 12 Advanced |
| Modules | — | 20 editable mastering modules + component plugins |
| New in 12 | — | Stem EQ, Bass Control, Unlimiter, IRC 5, Custom Assistant flow |
| Formats | — | VST3, AU, AAX (64-bit; VST2 discontinued) |
| Platforms | — | macOS 14.7+ / 15.7+ / 26.1+; Windows 10 22H2 / Windows 11 24H2 |
| Trial | — | 10-day free trial |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.