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.

Shift for Mac OS X updated to 2.0.2

We have just released an update for the Mac OS X version of Shift, bringing it to version 2.0.2. This release adds the following :

• Fix for Dry Voice Volume and Synced Delay Time UI controls not responding correctly in Digital Performer.

As far as we can tell, this issue was only apparent in Digital Performer. Shift stays at 2.0.0 on Windows and Linux. Download the update immediately here.

Shift updated to v2

And Shift v2 is out: go transpose some pitches. Shift v2 is a huge update (although rewrite is perhaps a more accurate description) of the original Shift. Why a rewrite? Why not a minor upgrade? Real-time harmonizing with zero latency, the most requested feature by a long way, just wasn't going to happen with Shift v1.  Rather than shoe-horn the feature in, we took a step back, looked at what did and didn't work with the first Shift, and redesigned it.

Some of the many improvements in Shift v2:

• Better diatonic tracking. Not only is the tracking faster and more accurate, we've added filters to reduce the signal bandwidth (and hence, make it easier for the tracker to guess the pitch), as well as a real-time tuning indicator to help you finely hone the tracker settings. Plus you can save tracking presets independent from the main preset; if you've found a setting that works great with your particular style of playing, you can easily bring it into any preset.
  
• Better interface: most noticeable the XY Grid control for real-time simultaneous 'playing' of two parameters.
  
• Grain engine parameters: tweak the fundamental grain settings to improve latency and quality.
  
• Improved preset browser, with all the usual features such as tagging, annotations, quick searching, and hot-swap previewing.
  
• 64-bit: Shift v2 is native 64-bit for Windows VST, and Mac OS X Audio Unit. Other 64-bit formats coming soon...

So Shift v2 is a vast step forward from Shift v1. But don't take my word for it, listen to the audio samples here. Or even better: judge for yourself, grab the demo here. Shift is available for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux, in all the usual formats (Audio Unit, VST, RTAS, and Standalone application.)

Registered users of Shift v1 can claim their free licence upgrade here.

Shift update preview

Over on the Loomer forum, we've just posted a short preview of the impending update to Shift. Point your browser here for a features breakdown, screenshots, and sound demos. This upgrade will be free to all registered users of Shift.

Zen and the art of preset sharing

Big Tick Audio Software have just released 1.0 of Zen, an online preset browsing wrapper. Zen, currently available on Windows, is a lightweight VSTi plugin which wraps existing plugin instruments, adding the ability to share and browse Zen's repository of online presets. Aspect support has recently been included, so feel free to grab Zen, and upload any presets you've created. (And once you've created an account, be sure to take a look at Big Tick's impressive range of previously-commercial-but-now-free older plugins.)

Sequent updated to 1.1.2

Sequent 1.1.2 for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux is now available.

This release add the following fixes and features:

• Native 64-bit versions for Windows (VST) and Mac OS X (Audio Unit).
• Integrated Preset Browser, with meta-data, tags, searching, and hot-swap support.
• Component Level Preset Support: create partial presets for each Effect.
• Effects in the Modular routing window now can be toggled on and off by double-clicking them.
• Unused Effects can be removed from the Routing window.
• Cables in the Routing window can be removed by right-clicking on them.
• A cable can now be created by dragging from an Effect's Input to another Effect's Output.
• Fixed: Gate Depth or Slew Time would jump to 0% when linking the Gate Depth or Gate Slew Time sequencer.
• Fixed: Editing the Delay Time Sequencer would sometimes cause the current Delay Time to change.
• Fixed: The same connection could be made multiple times from an Effect to an Output.
• Fixed: Rare crash could occur when loading several presets in quick succession.
• Fixed: Synced Delay time in the Sequencer window is now displayed correctly.
• Various host compatibility fixes.

Sequent 1.1.2 is available for Mac OS X (Audio Unit, VST, RTAS, and Standalone formats), Windows (VST, RTAS, and Standalone formats), and Linux (VST and Standalone formats). Download Sequent 1.1.2 here.

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