iZotope Photon is a standalone app — paired with an ARA plug-in — built entirely around AI source separation and audio cleanup. The company, known for its RX restoration suite, delivers an independent tool here that processes everything locally, on the machine’s GPU, with no uploads at all. It is the first result of a joint research effort between iZotope and Boris FX.
Twelve models, from full mix to voices
Photon relies on twelve custom-trained machine-learning models. In music mode it splits a mix into four stems — vocals, bass, drums and the rest — isolates the lead vocal, breaks drums into separate elements and cleans up noisy takes. An “Ultra” model pushes musical separation further (vocals, bass, drums, other), while a separate voice separator identifies and splits up to six speakers in a conversation. In other words, the same software serves both the remix and dialogue post.
All local, on the GPU
The core selling point is local, GPU-accelerated processing. Where many separation services force an upload to a remote server, Photon computes on your machine: nothing leaves the workstation, and speed does not hinge on an online queue. For anyone handling confidential recordings — interview rushes, client sessions under NDA — that guarantee changes everything. It is also a raw time-saver when dozens of files need processing.
Standalone app and ARA plug-in
Photon comes in two forms on macOS and Windows: a standalone app and an ARA plug-in. The latter integrates with ARA2-compatible hosts — Pro Tools, Cubase, REAPER and others — so you can call separation straight from the session, with no export-reimport. It follows a logic of integrated processing that is spreading everywhere, from the all-in-one mastering chain to finishing a podcast.
Price and availability
Photon carries a $349 MSRP, with a $259 launch price through December 7, 2026. Details and system requirements are on iZotope’s official page.
My take
Source separation has gone from party trick to daily move, and Photon lands the right argument: all local, on the GPU, no server. That is exactly what sensitive content and high-volume work needed. The up-to-six-speaker separator clearly targets dialogue post, a field where iZotope is already at home. The open question is real-world quality against the competition, which you judge by ear on difficult material — but the promise itself is the right one.
Frequently asked questions
Does Photon work online?
No. Photon processes everything locally on your machine’s GPU, with no upload to a server. Your files never leave your workstation.
How is it different from iZotope’s RX suite?
Photon is a standalone app and ARA plug-in focused on source separation and cleanup, built for fast access. RX remains the full restoration suite. Photon is also the first joint research project between iZotope and Boris FX.
How many stems can Photon extract?
Music mode separates a mix into four stems (vocals, bass, drums, other) and can break drums into elements. A dedicated separator identifies and splits up to six speakers in a conversation.
Which software does the ARA plug-in integrate with?
The ARA plug-in works with ARA2-compatible hosts such as Pro Tools, Cubase and REAPER, to call separation without leaving the session.
Which systems does Photon run on?
Photon is available for macOS and Windows, as a standalone app and an ARA plug-in.
