Manifold and Resound 1.6.3 for Windows released

Manifold and Resound 1.6.3 for Windows are now available.

These minor updates add the following fixes and improvements:

• (fix) Fixed crash which could occur rarely (although repeatedly) on certain systems when starting up the 32-bit standalone application, or when particular hosts first scan the 32-bit VST plug-in.
• (improvement) Removed C++ runtime libraries redistributable requirement for RTAS plug-ins. The installers also no longer install the C++ runtime library redistributable components when installing the RTAS plug-ins.
• (improvement) Clearer font rendering on preset browser.
• (fix) Various minor host compatibility tweaks.

Download the updates here. Note these issues did not affect the Linux or Mac OS X builds of these products: this update is for the Windows versions only.

Manifold and Resound 1.6.1 for Mac OS X

Manifold and Resound for Mac OS X have been updated to 1.6.1. These releases add a fix for an issue that causes the preset browser to become invisible when either Audio Unit plug-in is hosted by Digital Performer.

This is due to an incompatibility with Digital Performer's Carbon Audio Unit UI implementation. In these release, to force Digital Performer to use the plug-in's Cocoa Audio Unit UI :

• Open the corresponding configuration file, ~/Library/Preferences/Loomer/Resound.xml or ~/Library/Preferences/Loomer/Manifold.xml . 
• Add the following line to the file: <value name="CarbonAUInterface" val="0"> 
• Save and close the configuration file.

All new instances of the Audio Unit plug-in will hide the legacy Carbon UI, forcing Digital Performer to use the more compatibile Cocoa UI.

Download Manifold and Resound 1.6.1 for Mac OS X here.

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!

Manifold and Resound 1.6.0 updates released

Manifold 1.6.0 and Resound 1.6.0 for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux are now available. Download the update versions here.

Manifold
Manifold is a software audio effect processor that enhances an audio signal, producing a fuller, livelier, bigger sound. Input signals are split into as many as 20 individual voices, each of which are detuned, placed around the stereo panorama, and recombined with stunning results. Flexible controls mean Manifold is capable of producing a wide range of effects; from subtle modulations that add interest to lifeless sounds, to extreme detuning that fattens the weakest of input sources.

Resound
Resound is a software audio delay effect processor that emulates the sound and operation of vintage magnetic-tape echo units. Whilst not a direct copy of any one particular model, it takes features from several of the classic delay devices, and unites them into a convincing and pleasingly retro sounding effect.

Fixes and features in these release are as follows:

• Native 64-bit VST plug-in for Mac OS X (64-bit VST support requires Mac OS X 10.6 or greater; 64-bit Audio Unit requires Mac OS X 10.5 or greater; all other formats require Mac OS X 10.4 or greater. ) 
• Integrated undo and redo, with unlimited history size. 
• [Resound] Split mechanical tape emulation controls into separate Noise and Flutter parameters. 
• Category support in preset browser. 
• MIDI Program Changes are now multi-threaded, and so will no longer potentially stall the audio synthesis. 
• Fix for GUI freeze that could occur in certain Mac OS X VST hosts. 
• Slightly reduced CPU usage and removed potential audio thread stall that could rarely occur when editing parameters. 
• Windows RTAS plug-in is now installed to the correct location on 64-bit Windows operating systems. 
• Fix for rare issue that stopped presets from loading in Linux Renoise when LADSPA plug-in support is enabled. 
• Fix for issue that could cause some presets to be instantly marked as changed after opening them in Pro Tools or Maschine on Mac OS X. 
• Factory presets now load significantly faster. 
• Fix for crash (on both Windows and Linux) that could occur when 'space' is pressed when confirming the overwrite preset dialog. 
• For Windows VST (32-bit and 64-bit), the preferences file can be placed alongside the DLL file to facilitate USB or portable installs. 
• Preset meta data (ie, author name, notes, tags) is now correctly displayed after loading an .FXP based preset or restoring a saved project. 
• VU meters now automatically reset their overload status after a few seconds. 
• Various host compatibility fixes. 
• PDF manual is now printer-friendly.

Manifold 1.5.0 / Resound 1.5.0 - Now Linux 64-bit compatible

I'm pleased to announce another update; this time, Manifold 1.5.0 and Resound 1.5.0 for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux get the upgrade treatment. These releases add the following fixes and features:

• Native 64-bit support for Linux VST plugins and standalone applications. All releases hence will come in Linux 64-bit VST plugin and Linux 64-bit standalone format.
• Integrated Preset Browser, with meta-data, tags, searching, and hot-swap support.
  
• (Resound) Noise parameter is now scaled such that wow, flutter, and mechanical noise of the tape machine are completely absent at 0%. Older presets will still sound identical.
  
• (Resound) Reversed delay tempo syncing has been improved with hosts that don't provide accurate PPQ.
  
• Reduced CPU usage.
  
• 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.
  
• Various host compatibility fixes.
  
• Additional presets.

Go here; download the updates.

Manifold and Resound 1.4

We've recently released upgrades for a couple of the earlier product line, Manifold and Resound (download the updated versions here). As well as some fixes for compatibility with a few misbehaving hosts and general stability, (and, in the case of Resound, a much needed improvement to the feedback algorithm), the most interesting thing about these releases is that they mark our first foray into native 64-bit territory: both the Windows VST and Mac OS X Audio Unit versions now run as native 64-bit plugins.

64-bit native builds of the remaining product line will be available soon...

Manifold and Resound Audio Units crashing in Ableton Live 8.1.1 on Mac OS X

A particularily nasty bug can be found with the current public version of Ableton Live: Ableton Live will crash when adding either a Manifold or Resound Audio Unit to a track. The latest Live beta sees a fix for issue, but for those users who are loath to upgrade we recommend either using the corresponding VST plugin of Manifold or Resound, or performing the steps outlined here as a workaround.

For more information, consult the Ableton Forum post here.

Hear Resound

A number of short audio demos of Loomer Resound have been uploaded to the Resound product page. We have an ARP Odyssey synth line through a fairly noisy delay; a snappy drum beat is pitch shifted, dub-style; a tremelo Rhodes riff is looped using reverse delay mode and feedback.

Additionally, a composite audio sample player - containing demos from all our products* - has been included on the Loomer front page.

*Loomer Aspect audio demos will be coming shortly...

Aspect, Manifold, and Resound 1.3.2 released, now available in RTAS plugin format.

Aspect 1.3.2, Manifold 1.3.2, and Resound 1.3.2 have now been officially released. Download them in VST Plugin, Audio Unit, RTAS, or Standalone format for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

The main focus of these releases was the anticipated RTAS Plugin versions for users of Pro Tools LE, Pro Tools M-Powered, and Pro Tools|HD. Besides this, they also add new features and fixes, a few of which will be discussed in some detail below.

A|B comparison function
The A|B comparison function lets you quickly compare the sound of an edited program to the original settings. This is ideal for auditioning changes to a patch in order to decide if they improve the sound. Each press toggles the sound between the edited and original settings.

Reduced CPU usage
Aspect's Pulse waveform now uses about half the CPU resources when compared to the previous version. The panning algorithm - as used in both Aspect's Output section, and the Stereo Spread block of Manifold - also uses much less CPU. Another optimization reduces CPU time when the synthesis engine isn't using feedback (e.g., connecting Oscillator 1's output back into itself as a Pitch Modulation source.) Obviously, depending on the operating system, sound card and host buffer size your mileage may vary, but Aspect's Celestial String patch now uses about 30% less CPU compared to version 1.2. *

Minor glitch
When adding a plugin to a playing track in Garage Band (and likely some other hosts as well) a minor audio glitch could be heard. This has now been fixed, making the plugins ideal for those who like to add effects on the fly whilst playing live.

* Metric measured on an AMD 1.7Ghz Windows XP laptop, using Energy XT 1.4 as a VST host, and with the ASIO4ALL driver and the laptop's terrible built-in soundcard.

Loomer RTAS plugins for Pro Tools open beta

The RTAS versions of Aspect, Manifold, and Resound are now available as an open beta for anyone to try. The 1.3 beta versions contain RTAS format plugins for Mac OS X and Windows systems running Pro Tools 7 or above. The usual caveats of beta software apply: whilst we endeavor to release as stable a product as possible, beta software should not be considered for use in unrehearsed live work. Note that the beta can be downgraded to the last stable release by running a previous installer.

And 1.3 isn't just for Pro Tools users - they also offer improvements for users of the Standalone, Audio Unit, or VST plugin versions. These include reduced CPU usage, compatibility fixes for several host specific problems, and a new A/B comparison feature.

[EDIT: Beta links removed - the official 1.3.2 releases are now available here.]

Let us know if you find any problems with the beta, or have any suggestions for new features. Post a reply here, or on our official support forum, or contact us directly via the Loomer support page.