iZotope Nectar 3

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4.5 (76)

4 Critic Reviews

12 Reviews

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26 wishlisted

223 saved

Page last updated May 18, 2026

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Description

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Unleash the full potential of your vocal recordings with the iZotope Nectar 3, a state-of-the-art vocal processing plugin that is essential for any audio engineer or producer. Built with innovative machine learning technology, this plugin simplifies the complexities of vocal mixing, making it accessible to both beginners and seasoned professionals alike. The real magic of Nectar 3 lies in its Vocal Assistant, a smart tool that listens to your tracks and makes automatic corrections to level inconsistencies, resonant peaks, and harsh frequencies, letting you focus on creativity rather than technicalities.

Nectar 3 features six robust modules—EQ, Harmony, Compressors, Dimension, De-esser, and Pitch & Auto Level—each designed to enhance and refine your vocal tracks. Whether you're crafting rich harmonies or smoothing out sibilance, these modules provide the flexibility and control needed to achieve a polished sound. The included Unmask feature ensures your vocals shine through any mix by intelligently repositioning other elements, while Melodyne 4 essential offers transparent pitch and time adjustments for pristine vocal tuning. With iZotope RX Breath Control, unwanted breaths in dialog or vocal recordings are automatically suppressed, leaving you with clean and professional-sounding results.

Key Features:

Vocal processing plug-in with machine learning technology
Main modules include EQ, Harmony, Compressors, Dimension, De-esser, and Pitch & Auto Level
Vocal Assistant automatically detects and corrects vocal issues
Unmask feature positions vocals prominently in the mix
Melodyne 4 essential for pitch and time correction
iZotope RX Breath Control for automatic breath suppression

Product specs

Plugin Format	VST, AU, AAX
Operating Systems	Mac, Windows

Videos

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iZotope, Inc.

Introducing iZotope Nectar 3

iZotope, Inc.

the NEW iZotope NECTAR 3

White Sea Studio

Make Vocals Stand Out in a Mix with Nectar 3 Creative Effects

iZotope, Inc.

iZotope Nectar 3 Overview

Sweetwater

iZotope NECTAR 3 Review | VOCAL PRODUCTION AND MIXING

MusicTechHelpGuy

Review | Izotope Nectar 3 | Hip Hop Vox Made Easy

MG The Future

Izotope Nectar 3 Review - Mix vocals with EASE!

Weaver Beats

Izotope Nectar 3 Vocal Assistant Review & Tutorial

Modezart

Reviews

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PROS

Quick setup for a clean, industry-standard vocal chain
Automatic loudness control is a significant time saver
Comprehensive vocal processing suite with pitch editor and breath controller
Harmony engine and pitch correction are highly effective
Excellent for simple, set-and-forget vocal treatments
Adds character and ties vocals together seamlessly
Great for tuning and processing vocaloids and UTAUs
Versatile for pitching down or distorting vocals efficiently

CONS

High CPU usage can be demanding
Not ideal for creative, individualized mixing approaches

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about iZotope Nectar 3.

Features and functionality

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Nectar 3 is appreciated for its saturation capabilities, enhancing vocal mixes with a rich, full sound.
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Users report that Nectar 3's Harmonizer function is not intended as a primary harmonizer, suggesting users look for other plugins for advanced harmonizing needs.
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Nectar 4's "Voices" module replaces "Harmony" with a more feature-rich design and includes an AI-driven Backer module for background vocals.
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Auto Level in Nectar 4 now includes an unwanted noise tamer, effectively reducing clicks and breaths, enhancing vocal clarity.
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Each module in Nectar 4 can function as a separate plug-in, offering flexibility in processing workflows.
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Software and compatibility

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Users have noted that Nectar 3's interface has improved significantly over previous versions, offering a more user-friendly experience.
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Initial high CPU usage reported in early versions has improved, making Nectar 3 more efficient for modern setups.
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The pitch-correction algorithm in Nectar 3 is criticized for poor quality, with recommendations to use Melodyne or Reapitch for better results.
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User experience

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Owners mention that Nectar 3 can lead to 'overmixing' if not used intentionally, suggesting it might best suit beginners exploring vocal processing.
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Comparisons

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Some users transition from stock plugins to Nectar 3 for an analog-like sound, combining it with Neutron and Ozone for comprehensive vocal processing.
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VocalSynth included in the Nectar 3 bundle is compared to Razor by NI, both seen as robust vocoders, though not groundbreaking.
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Some users report similar results between Nectar 3 and 4, suggesting that effectiveness may depend on user proficiency rather than the plugin version.
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Value and pricing

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Users recommend buying Nectar 3 during sales, highlighting that the production pack offers good value with additional iZotope plugins.
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Use cases and applications

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Nectar 3 is praised for its assistant feature, which quickly creates a workable vocal track for further detailed processing.
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Nectar 4's noise tamer proves useful for home studios, where unwanted noise can be an issue, making vocals sound cleaner and crisper.
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Critic Reviews

Izotope Nectar 3 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Nectar 3 brings a stunning upgrade with exceptional vocal processing capabilities, highlighted by its remarkable Vocal Assistant and a revolutionary EQ. The GUI refresh is a breath of fresh air, making it more user-friendly, but some controls obscure vital visual elements. While the new dynamic modes in the EQ are a game-changer, the absence of mouth noise reduction and the high upgrade cost leave some room for improvement. Overall, it's a powerful tool for producers looking to elevate their vocal tracks to new heights, though existing users might find the upgrade's value less compelling.

positive

Full Review

macProVideo.com

macprovideo.com

iZotope Nectar 3 stands out as a powerhouse for vocal processing, combining an intuitive interface with intelligent AI tools that streamline mixing. The vocal assistant and dynamic EQ features are particularly impressive, providing a solid starting point for vocal refinement. While the harmony processor adds fun creative possibilities, the lack of any notable drawbacks makes it hard to criticize. At $199, it not only saves time but also delivers quality results that elevate your mixes. If you're serious about vocal production, Nectar 3 is a must-have in your toolkit.

positive

Full Review

iZotope Nectar 3 Review

musictech.com

Nectar 3 delivers a robust vocal production suite with impressive AI features and a polished interface, making it a compelling choice for those focused on vocal mixing. The Vocal Assistant and new EQ capabilities shine, providing intelligent guidance that often enhances the mix. However, the lack of fine-tuning options for metering and some limitations with the Melodyne Essential integration may frustrate advanced users. While it’s a powerhouse for newcomers or those consolidating their tools, seasoned pros might find it redundant if they already have similar plugins. Overall, it brilliantly balances ease of use with professional outcomes, but it’s not without its quirks.

positive

Full Review

iZotope Nectar 3 Review: Your Next Go-To Hub of Effects Plugins

allthingsgear.com

iZotope Nectar 3 delivers an impressive array of vocal effects in a sleek, user-friendly package that many will find indispensable. With standout features like a pitch adjuster, de-esser, and reverb, it achieves clarity without overwhelming coloration, making it ideal for vocal tracks. However, the price tag may be a sticking point for some, especially with the pitch adjuster being the only un-removable effect, which feels counterintuitive. Despite some quirks, Nectar 3's excellent sound quality and intuitive design make it a worthwhile investment for producers looking to streamline their workflow.

positive

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 12 Reviews and 76 Ratings

5 star

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torturecrush

238

about 6 years ago

Incredibly versatile all-in-one for vocal treatment

I don't use this plugin as much as I used to now that I do most of my vocal mixing by hand, but Nectar does a fantastic job. If you have a vocal take that you know you want a simple treatment on and won't require a lot of individualized finesse, this is the plugin for that track. Set and forget.

striveofficialmusic

229

over 7 years ago

BIG TIME SAVER

Nectar 3 is great to get a quick and clean vocal chain going. The pitch control is another cool feature but this is great to clean up vocals and get that industry standard sound. Not great for being a creative mixer tho. The best feature or one of the best would have to be the automatic loudness control. BIG time saver

haru_kunn

almost 4 years ago

yes

it takes a lot of cpu

otherwise its pretty good

has pretty much everything u need for vocal processing

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Dance music Electro

subtact

199

over 6 years ago

Goodbye 24-Piece Vocal Chains

While quite subtle, the effects Nectar 3 provides truly tie a vocal together with itself and a mixdown. Again, iZotope nails simplicity spot-on.

expus

112

about 11 years ago

Seriously, Love this thing.

Being a vocaloid and utau user, sometimes i needa tune or process vocals even more outside of the plugin, and this thing is great. It's harmony engine is amazing, it's pitch correction is great, and it's my go to plugin for ANY vocals.

Version: iZotope Nectar 2