AAX Native 64-bit plug-ins

The rollout of AAX Native 64-bit plug-in support has begun. Aspect, the semi-modular synth; String, the lush Solina emulator; and Sequent, a step-sequenced beat mangler and multi-effect, are all now available as AAX Native 64-bit plug-ins.

All upgrades are free for registered users. Download the updates at loomer.co.uk

AAX Native 64-bit support for the remaining product line will follow shortly.

String 1.14.5 update for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux

String 1.14.5 for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux is now available. This release adds:

• (feature) Added "Tuning" parameter to modulation section. This enables String to be tuned up or down a half-semitone in either direction from standard concert pitch. Previously saved presets and projects will use A=440Hz by default.
• (fix: Windows 64-bit VST) Fix for immediate VST crash which could occur on certain hosts when run in Windows XP 64-bit.
• (feature: Linux) Added "Show Directory" to the preset browser, which will will reveal the selected preset directory in your window manager.
• (fix: Mac OS X Audio Unit) Fixed issue which caused Reaper to host new instances of String FX as a mono plug-in.
• (improvement: Linux) Presets and configuration files are now located to comply with the XDG Base Directory Specification. Older installations will still use any existing preset library location to maintain backwards compatibility.

String synth hardware concept

Courtesy of Achim Ortmann, a selection of concept renders for a String hardware unit. There are currently no plans to actually make the physical unit, but thanks Achim! String is currently available - as software only - for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux: download the demo here.

Linux LV2 preview

The most common request from Linux users continues to be, "Are your plug-ins going to be available in LV2 format?" And I'm pleased to officially announce: yes. We've in-house LV2 native versions of our entire plug-in line running in LV2 native format, and to prove it, here's a quick glance at String in Ardour 3.

We currently have no official release date for the LV2 versions, other than to say soon. (And of course, the LV2 plug-ins will use the same license key as all the other versions, so will be free to existing users.) 

String 1.3.5 for Mac OS X and Windows now available

String 1.3.5, the polyphonic ensemble string synth, for Mac OS X and Windows is now available. This release fixes several issues specific to the Mac OS X and Windows versions: String for Linux remains at version 1.3.0.

Included in this release are the following fixes:

• Fix for the String FX for Mac OS X VST plug-in not resizing correctly in some 64-bit hosts when opening the preset browser.
• Fix for mouse-wheel not working correctly for the Windows 32-bit VST plug-in.

Download String 1.3.5 here.

String 1.3.2 update for Mac OS X

As is par for the course when if comes to big architectural changes, 64-bit VST support for Mac OS X  added a few issues to the last String release, which we are pleased to announce are now fixed in String 1.3.2 - download the update here. Windows and Linux builds were not affected by these issues, and so both remain happily on version 1.3.0.

String 1.3.2 for Mac OS X adds:

• Fix for GUI freeze that could occur in certain hosts.
  
• Fix for crash that could occur when validating the 64-bit Audio Unit.
  
• Fix for newly loaded presets being incorrectly marked as changed in Maschine when using the String Audio Unit.

Loomer String 1.3.0 released

Another update has been released into the wild: Loomer String, our ensemble synthesizer, rich in analogue authenticity, turns 1.3.0. Grab the download here, and go make some beautiful solina ensemble tones.

String 1.3.0 improves on the previous versions with the following fixes and features:

• 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.
• Preset Browser is now maximized to fill the entire plug-in window.
• Windows RTAS plug-in is now installed to the correct location on 64-bit Windows operating systems.
• MIDI Program Changes are now multi-threaded, and so will no longer potentially stall the audio synthesis.
• Fix for crash (on both Windows and Linux) that could occur when 'space' is pressed when confirming the overwrite preset dialog.
• VU meters now automatically reset their overload status after a few seconds.
• For Windows VST (32-bit and 64-bit), the preferences file can be placed alongside the DLL file to facilitate USB or portable installs.
• Clearer font in PDF documentation.
• Fix for rare issue that stopped presets from loading in Linux Renoise when LADSPA plug-in support is enabled.
• Factory presets now load significantly faster.
• Various host compatibility fixes.

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!

String 1.1 released: 64-bit / Effects Plugin

We are pleased to announce the release of String 1.1 - download the updated version here.

String 1.1, a free update for registered users, contains the following fixes and features:

• Native 64-bit versions for Mac OS X Audio Unit, and Windows VST
• Separate "Effects Only" plugin: use String's Effects as a general multi-fx unit
• Phaser and Chorus now automatically disable themselves (saving CPU) when the plugin is idle
• Each Layer now has an overall Volume control
• Increased polyphony
• Much faster GUI response  
• Vastly reduced memory usage
• Various compatibility fixes for certain hosts
• Fixed bug where Delay Link status sometimes isn't persisted
• Fixed minor audible click that could be heard when changing Chorus mode

The effects only version, "StringFX",  is a separate plugin which can be used to process any external instruments with String's effects section:

And as a bonus, KVR's HunterKiller has kindly provided over 150 fantastic new presets for registered users of String - download them here. Many thanks to HunterKiller for the hard work he put into these awesome sounds.

String reviewed by Computer Music magazine

Another positive review of String, this time courtesy of Computer Music magazine. When you're reading the review, which can be found online here, be sure to listen to the audio samples: they do a fantastic job showing how well Loomer String does classic Solina String Ensemble and Elka Rhapsody style sounds.
 
"Loomer Synth's sound quality is superb, with just the right balance of vintage tone and digital clarity. The sound could best be described as cinematic, albeit in a late-'70s sci-fi/horror fashion. String can easily stretch from Vangelis-like soundtrack to Prodigy-esque sound module strings."

Aspect 1.5.0 and audio samples; String 1.0.3 for Windows

A trifecta of news updates:

Aspect has now been updated to 1.5.0, which aside from all the bug fixes and improvements, also includes the vastly better oscillators that were previewed a few weeks back. Download it here.

Secondly, some audio demoes of various Aspect sample sounds have been posted on the Aspect page.

And finally, String for Windows has been updated to 1.0.3. This fixes a bug that seemingly only occurs under Sonar where notes are left hanging when the Transport is stopped. There is no reason to upgrade from 1.0.2 if you aren't using Sonar or witnessing this bug. Download here.

Sonar handles Transport stops slightly differently from other hosts. It's certainly not wrong according to the MIDI spec, but it's definitely unconventional. Instead of keeping a list of all playing notes and sending each a corresponding MIDI Note-Off when the Transport is stopped, Sonar just sends a single MIDI All Notes Off message. Any plugins that only respond to MIDI Note-Off messages and ignore MIDI All Notes Off message will manifest this hung notes problem. Aspect and String both handle this correctly since their most recent updates.

String 1.0.2 now released

Version 1.0.2, a minor update for String, is now available - download for the platform of your choice here. String 1.0.2 contains a fix for a problem where using Chorus Type 2 with a Depth of 100% could, in certain circumstances, cause some unpleasant digital noise to occur.

Loomer String released

Loomer String Synthesizer is now available for purchase and to demo: enjoy!

String is a dual layer, polyphonic string ensemble synthesizer available for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux, in Audio Unit, RTAS, and VST Plugin formats, as well as in standalone application format. String's marvelous interface comes courtesy of freelance graphic designer Inquer. More information about String, as well as audio samples and a free trial download can be found here.

The trial version has the following demo limitations:

• User created Program and Bank presets can be saved, but not loaded back into the evaluation. They can however be loaded by a registered copy of String.
• Output will be periodically interrupted, approximately every 30 seconds, by a short moment of silence.
• Audio output will stop after 30 minutes of continuous use. String must be restarted to continue evaluation.

The trial can be upgraded to the full registered version by purchasing a licence for only £50 (+ VAT if applicable).

Loomer String Synthesizer

We're proud to announce our next product, String. String is a virtual instrument that emulates the beautiful sound of the polyphonic string synthesizer. Its authentic tone comes from its accurate emulation of the divide-down oscillator technology and bucket-brigade chorus units behind the lush ensemble synths of the 70s.

All being well, String should be available early next week for purchase at £50 (+ VAT if applicable). String comes in VST, Audio Unit, RTAS and Standalone formats for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

Here are a few teasers of the type of sounds String does so well. All are from a single String instance, recorded dry, and only using String's built in effects. (Note that the first example also has a simple backing drum beat courtesy of some Korg Minipops samples taken from www.freesound.org.)