Dear KVR Members,

We are happy to announce the release of Blue Cat's Protector 2.0, a total redesign of our brickwall limiter plug-in for Mac and PC.


This new version brings a brand new user interface with much more visual feedback (including rms metering, attenuation history, loudness boost measurement, improved readability), as well as many new features and enhancements: a new presets manager, new MIDI and automation mapping capabilities, new presets, Windows AAX support, and much more (details below).

The plug-in is available alone or as part of several bundles. New customers can purchase the single plug-in with 25% off, or the "Blue Cat's Energy Pack" dynamics processing bundle with 15% off during three weeks, while existing customers can upgrade to the new version for a small fee (see below - the offer is being sent by email). Demo versions can be downloaded on www.bluecataudio.com, in VST, RTAS, AAX, Audio Unit and DirectX formats (32 and 64-bit).

What's new in Blue Cat's Protector 2.0:
- New Features:
* Brand new fully customizable user interface.
* New gain reduction history display.
* New input and output RMS meters.
* The meters can now be zoomed to improve their precision.
* New average loudness boost meter.
* New DC Filter to kill DC offset.
* New integrated presets manager:
+ Load/save presets from the plug-in's user interface.
+ Organize presets with folders.
+ Customize the default preset.
+ Exchange presets easily.
* Automation range and response curve can now be customized for each parameter.
* Automation and MIDI settings (channel, MIDI learn etc.) are now accessible from the main user interface.
* AAX plug-in format is now also supported on Windows.
* Improved the algorithms for increased precision of the limiter.
* Side chaining made easy: the MIDI and automation side chaining capabilities can now be fully configured within the main user interface.
-Improvements:
* Plug-in name has been shortened for a clearer display in mixer view for most host applications.
* The plug-in now appears in the "Dynamics" category in Pro Tools.
* Changed the default VST install path on Windows.
* License is now shared between plug-ins type (register only once for all formats).
* Added new presets.
* Improved value display in fine edit window.
* Optimizations and Performance Improvements:
* Reduced VST plug-in loading time.
* Improved parameters precision (now stored as 64-bit).
* More compact presets format (uses less space and loads faster).
* Smaller binaries on Mac (dropped PowerPC support).
-Bug Fixes:
* Fixed presets-related crashes in Cubase on Mac.
* Fixed user interface display issues in Wavelab on Mac.
* Fixed MIDI output for 64-bit VST version.

System requirements:
- Intel Mac running Mac OS X Lion (10.7), Snow Leopard (10.6), or Leopard (10.5).
- PC running Windows 7, Vista or XP.

Pricing:
Blue Cat's Protector: 59 EUR or $74 (instead of 79 EUR or $99)
Upgrade from Blue Cat's Protector 1: 15 EUR or $19
Blue Cat's Energy Pack: 296 EUR or $390 (instead of 349 EUR or $459)

The new GUI looks great !

I just received the email about the upgrade; I've only had a quick glance at it so far (looks great!) and will check it out properly in the morning.

Protector is one of my go-to plugins (and has been since its release), so the upgrade is surely a no-brainer for me.

Glad that you like it!

This looks great. I got the existing customer email today and picked it up. I've been looking for a no nonsense, zero latency, limiter for a little while. I have plenty of look ahead mastering type limiters, but those don't work well for catching overs on the master buss when tracking. Looks like this will fit the bill nicely. May also find it's way to my drum buss for mixing duities.

The cat does it AGAIN !!! ; Well played puss.

ahh never thought of that, just to have it on the master bus to prevent overshoots when mixing due to an accident etc..

for that purpose it could be ideal being zero latency, so far i have been using mix control for the purpose but like the idea of a dedicated plug

It was actually the initial reason for the creation of this plug-in (as the name suggests)