New Chainer Plugin from Plug&Mix

[vic_france]

Can you tell us where to find the older versions in order to delete them? What I found was this (in OS X Yosemite):

- a Plug and Mix folder in the Application Support folder with all the P&M Plugin Settings dated March 29, 2015
- the individual P&M AU plugins in the Components folder of the Audio folder, all of them dated August 11, 2014

That is correct. There should also be VST Versions in /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST,
and also AXXE versions in /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-ins,
and RTAS versions in /Library/Application Support/Digidesign/Plug-Ins (if you had installed those originally)
Whether or not you need them (or wish to update them) depends upon whether you are going to want to use them outside of the Chainer (the ones in the Plug and Mix subfolder of the Application Support folder will only be seen by the Chainer).

[vic_france]

double post

[Fleer]

Cheers vic_france!
So, if I'm not going to download and use the Chainer, should I delete the ones in the Application Support folder?
On the other hand, if I do download the Chainer, will that add even more stuff?

[vic_france]

Cheers vic_france!
So, if I'm not going to download and use the Chainer, should I delete the ones in the Application Support folder?
On the other hand, if I do download the Chainer, will that add even more stuff?

If you haven't yet downloaded and installed the Chainer, then what you have in the Plug and Mix Application Support folder is just the settings (i.e. presets) for your Plug and Mix Plugins (which you are going to need, obviously). Only takes up about 12 MB anyways .
It is only when you install the Chainer that the actual plugins (in their dedicated PM format) get installed there.

[VariKusBrainZ]

Cheers vic_france!
So, if I'm not going to download and use the Chainer, should I delete the ones in the Application Support folder?
On the other hand, if I do download the Chainer, will that add even more stuff?

If you haven't yet downloaded and installed the Chainer, then what you have in the Plug and Mix Application Support folder is just the settings (i.e. presets) for your Plug and Mix Plugins (which you are going to need, obviously). Only takes up about 12 MB anyways .
It is only when you install the Chainer that the actual plugins (in their dedicated PM format) get installed there.

Why does it install another format of the plugins, the ad blurb states it will detect P&P plugins if already installed

Therefore, the Chainer will automatically detect any authorised P&M plug-ins, ready to use.

[vic_france]

Why does it install another format of the plugins, the ad blurb states it will detect P&P plugins if already installed [and authorized]

Therefore, the Chainer will automatically detect any authorised P&M plug-ins, ready to use.

Seems perfectly clear to me .. If you already have, and have authorized a VST (or AU, or AAX or RTAS) version of one or more of the P & M plugins, that authorization is also valid for the version of that plugin that loads into the Chainer. If you haven't already authorized, then it will run in the Chainer in demo mode.

It simply verifies your existing authorizations .

One interesting observation, if you have purchased the Chainer (thus allowing the loading of your VST collection), and do have some P & M plugins (authorized).. you cannot load the VST version of the P & M plugins into the Chainer (they don't even appear in the list of available VSTs), you can only load the native versions of them (because their GUI loads into the dedicated section on the left of the Chainer). The external VSTs that you load, use their own GUIs (which, as someone else also remarked, appear as floating windows). [EDIT] This is fixed with version 1.1.0. In fact, v1.0.0 wasn't scanning VST plugins perfectly.. much better now [/EDIT]

[Shabdahbriah]

P&M: via email

P&M Chainer v1.1 is Coming !

Last week we announced the release of our "P&M Chainer" Application as well as the updated version 3.3 of our P&M V.I.P. Bundle.

For the first time in 10 years, our servers totally overloaded and many users complained that they were unable to fully download the Chainer or the V.I.P. Bundle ! We apologies for the inconvenience.

We therefore purchased and installed new servers that should now be able to face huge amount of simultaneous downloads.

Some users also reported that the Chainer failed during installation. After investigation, it appears that there was a minor problem in the installer's script. In some cases, the installer was not able to create the plugin folders due to "permission" errors.

In the next 48 hours, we will upload version 1.1 of the Chainer that fixes the installer issue as well as numerous bug fixes reported in our forum board.

Next week, we will have an other version (1.2) that will fix an issue for those who are still running Windows XP in 32 bit mode.

Version 1.2 will also contain a stand alone version requested by users !

The P&M "Chainer" is an amazing utility that can load and chain P&M plug-ins but it can also...... load VST effects and VSTi instruments from any manufacturer into any DAW including Pro Tools ? Waou !

The Chainer is FREE for all REGISTERED P&M Plug-in owners. Therefore, the Chainer will automatically detect any authorised P&M plug-ins, ready to use. They can be chained in series or parallel to save/load presets that can be used in other sessions or even other DAWs. Read More...

Until April 30th, the P&M Chainer will be sold at the introductory price od ONLY $49 (MSRP ($129).

While there, we are celebrating this event by making the P&M V.I.P. Bundle available at ONLY $99 (MSRP $249)

[yomanfree]

Hello all,

how does it compare to blue cat's patchwork ?
patchwork can load instruments and effects, can have for exemple arp (like kirnu) in front of several synth in //, allow midi routing etc .... Price is 59e (less during promo period). It is too standalone.
When I compare to chainer, based on previous comments, it seems less powerfull. Price is 49$ -> 129$ (which is more or less equal during promo period and much higher else).

What are the advantages of chainer vs patchwork ?

Thanks

[Sim.Sky]

well, given that the next version(s) of the chainer actually work you get a few neat things like different analyzers, a built-in clipper/limiter, and a stereo-width control, which could come in pretty handy. i have to admit that i don't own patchwork and therefore am not too familiar with it, but those are the things i believe that are "exclusive" to the chainer. i also reckon that patchwork may have its own advantages - so it would be best if you just demo both of them in order to find out what fits your needs. (and yes, i know this is a rather odd advice, but still true after all)

[vic_france]

(sorry for jumping in again.. must be "on a roll" )..
Personally, I cannot praise BC PatchWork highly enough.. it is extremely powerful (and gaining more and more with each update .. for Mac users, loads AU plugin/instruments as well as VST, can have up to eight rows in parallel (as opposed to Chainer's four.. they both have up to eight columns in series), very comprehensive audio and MIDI input/output routing/chaining.
Both offer host automation and MIDI CC control, but, I must say that this is much easier to set up in Chainer.
Chainer also has this lovely "Spread" parameter for each inserted plugin (although of course, if you have an external plugin that does this, you could always insert it into the chain in PatchWork ).
[EDIT] Sim.Sky posted in the meantime . Like he says, Chainer also has those built-in analysis tools and the Clipper[/EDIT]
Also, PatchWork has two dedicated plugin versions.. one for Insert FX and another for Instruments, whereas Chainer (currently) only appears as an Insert FX (where you can nonetheless load VST Insertuments, and play them so long as the Host software can send MIDI to the MIDI input of an Audio Channel's Insert.
It would probably be fairer to compare PatchWork with DDMF's MetaPlugin (which is also gaining in functionality with each update ).
I'm pretty sure that Chainer hasn't stopped developing either .
Dunno if any of that helps you make a decision.

[Fleer]

You're the man, vic_france, you're the man

[yomanfree]

Thanks. Patchwork is clearly more powerfull in my mind (I prefer to use my own spread and analysis VSTs). Patchwork has 2 instances but instruments and effects can be added in patchwork multisynth.
A good exemple is here : "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCmHGm7DhA4".

What I dont understand and push me to ask is the price: Chainer at 49$ is almost OK (a bit high today from my opinion if we are just seeing the present features, and even if some future development are promized). At 129$, in front of patchwork (59e, if I remember well it was a bit lower during promo period), I simply can't understand what chainer brings on the table to justify about 60$ more.

Thanks
Yo

(sorry for jumping in again.. must be "on a roll" )..
Personally, I cannot praise BC PatchWork highly enough.. it is extremely powerful (and gaining more and more with each update .. for Mac users, loads AU plugin/instruments as well as VST, can have up to eight rows in parallel (as opposed to Chainer's four.. they both have up to eight columns in series), very comprehensive audio and MIDI input/output routing/chaining.
Both offer host automation and MIDI CC control, but, I must say that this is much easier to set up in Chainer.
Chainer also has this lovely "Spread" parameter for each inserted plugin (although of course, if you have an external plugin that does this, you could always insert it into the chain in PatchWork ).
[EDIT] Sim.Sky posted in the meantime . Like he says, Chainer also has those built-in analysis tools and the Clipper[/EDIT]
Also, PatchWork has two dedicated plugin versions.. one for Insert FX and another for Instruments, whereas Chainer (currently) only appears as an Insert FX (where you can nonetheless load VST Insertuments, and play them so long as the Host software can send MIDI to the MIDI input of an Audio Channel's Insert.
It would probably be fairer to compare PatchWork with DDMF's MetaPlugin (which is also gaining in functionality with each update ).
I'm pretty sure that Chainer hasn't stopped developing either .
Dunno if any of that helps you make a decision.

[dmbaer]

What are the advantages of chainer vs patchwork ?

It's my understanding that neither will host VST 3 plug-ins. Have I got that right?

[vic_france]

It's my understanding that neither will host VST 3 plug-ins. Have I got that right?

Yes. At the moment, only MetaPlugin or Plogue Bidule for loading VST3.

[Nick Hamilton]

Why does it install another format of the plugins, the ad blurb states it will detect P&P plugins if already installed [and authorized]

One interesting observation, if you have purchased the Chainer (thus allowing the loading of your VST collection), and do have some P & M plugins (authorized).. you cannot load the VST version of the P & M plugins into the Chainer (they don't even appear in the list of available VSTs), you can only load the native versions of them (because their GUI loads into the dedicated section on the left of the Chainer). The external VSTs that you load, use their own GUIs (which, as someone else also remarked, appear as floating windows).

Hello vic_france,

If there are Plug and Mix in the VST format, they should show up when you do a 'scan' and be available for the Chainer like all the other VSTs located on your computer.

Unlike the 'special' Plug and Mix' (that are installed with the Chainer which as you say rightly say can be edited inthe dedicated section on the left of the Chainer) the Plug and Mix in the VST format will show up using their own GUI, like the rest of the VSTs you have available.

It is not recommended, as it is much quicker and more 'elegant' to use them in the Chainer itself, but if someone wants to do it, they can.

Best Regards,

Nick