Mac OS X plug-in interface resizing issues

It would appear that, with the most recent 1.6.0 releases, there is a problem with certain Mac OS X hosts, such as Digital Performer 7, and Resound's and Manifold's interface resizing, which occurs when the preset browser is open.

We are looking into this, but in the intermin, those affected by this bug can work-around it by switching the preset browser to a modal type dialog. To do this:

• Open the corresponding configuration file, which will usually be placed at ~/Library/Preferences/Loomer/Resound.xml or ~/Library/Preferences/Loomer/Manifold.xml . 
• Add the following line to the file:  <value name="ModalPresetBrowser" val="1">
• Save and close the configuration file.

All new instances of the plug-in will now use the modal (pop-up) version of the browser.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope to have a fix out as soon as possible. I would be interested to hear if this problems also occurs in any other hosts, so by all means post details here of any resizing incompatibilities.

Thanks!

Loomer String 1.2.3 released; New Preset Browser; Linux 64-bit

Another update has been released: this time, its String 1.2.3. This release adds the following improvements :

• Native 64-bit VST plugin and standalone application for Linux.
  
• Integrated Preset Browser, with meta-data, tags, searching, and hot-swap support.
  
• Additional presets. All presets now tagged and annotated.
  
• Presets can now be sorted using auto categorization.
  
• String Instrument and FX now have their own individual default preset.
  
• Reduced CPU usage.
  
• CPU usage is now consistent when using the Mac OS X RTAS Plugins.
  
• Windows VST 32-bit plugins and standalone applications no longer depend on additional runtime libraries. However, these libraries are still required - and installed - for the RTAS format plugins.
  
• libjack is now weak-linked for standalone Linux. This means JACK is not required (but still recommended).
  
• Fixed slight pitch shifting timbre that would rarely occur when quickly swapping between presets using different delay time settings.
  
• PDF manual is now printer-friendly.
  

This finally sees our entire current product line now using the vastly improved integrated preset browser. String is also the first to have a new preset browser feature: Categories.

Categories are a nod to those people who have expressed a liking for the old preset system, saying it was a lot easier to find all the (for example) bass presets. Of course, you could always enter 'bass' into the search area, but who wants to be typing when you're on the verge of creating a timeless bassline?

Categories are user creatable search terms that, for quick access, appear in the browser tree. Anything you can search for can be used as a category: so you can even categorize by preset authors, or indeed any tag or descriptive word. And provided you've tagged all your presets correctly, they'll automatically appear in the correct category (or categories).

String 1.2.3 is available for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. Download the update here.

Enjoy!

Aspect 1.6.1 released

We are pleased to announce the release of Aspect 1.6.1 for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. This release adds the following fixes and features:

• Native 64-bit versions for Mac OS X Audio Unit, and Windows VST.
• New built-in Preset Browser with support for xml, fxp, and fxb preset files.
• Presets can now have meta-data, such as author name, notes, and tags. Use meta-data to search your preset library.
• Hot-swap preset browsing: quickly step through and preview presets in context.
• Various host compatibility fixes.
• Audio-rate pitch modulation of Oscillator 1 from Oscillator 2 now works.
• Sample & Hold module's latched value is now correctly reset when the the input source is removed.
• Much faster GUI response.
• Slight reduction in CPU usage on particularily complex presets.
• Vastly reduced start-up time.
• Clearer font rendering: a larger font is now used for menu items.
• Additional and improved factory presets.

And here is the new Preset Browser (click for full-size):

Aspect 1.6.1 is available for immediate download from http://www.loomer.co.uk