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

Pure Data MIDI Step Sequencer (2)

I've spent a little time improving the Pure Data MIDI Step Sequencer patch that was originally posted here. This new version adds selectable step divisions, and a fairly decent swing algorithm. The code has been tidied up somewhat too; in many places, lists provide a much more cohesive data structure than the separate pitch and velocity streams that the first version used.

 Download the updated patch here.

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."