Support for MIDI PC - Program Change

[pcournoyer]

Hi BCA,

I am currently in the process of evaluating several effects plugins (compressor, EQ, reverb, ...) for a live computer based setup.

At this point, I am very pleased with BCA compressor & EQ, particularly because of the MIDI CC inputs / outputs support (many other reasons as well like the dual curve dynamic, continuous knee control, zero-latency limiter, ...).

I must say that I am quite surprised that very few software effects or channel strips have built-in MIDI support. From a live performance point of view, it makes life much easier and it is readily supported by most hardware effects. So hats down to BCA to put that in the entire product line.

There is one problem thought in that I could not find any information regarding the support of MIDI PC messages to quickly change presets in a live environment. My setup is based on Plogue Bidule and I have a bunch of custom made Bidules that handle all the song / segment changes from MIDI controllers, which internally send PC messages to all the virtual instruments and effects.

So question 1: Do you support this feature and if so how?

Question 2: If not, is it in your plans to add this in a later release?

Sincèrement,

Patrick

[Blue Cat Audio]

Hi,

thank you for your feedback and your suggestions. Today we do not support PC messages (CC only). It could be implemented for the VST version only since the DirectX plugins do not have access to their presets (they are managed by the host). In fact the main reason why we have not implemented it yet is that we think it should be the host responsability to manage these presets. I agree that it is a very useful feature for a live setup though.

Anyway, we could have a PC message <-> preset mapping (for example PC message number 0 to 127 for preset 0 to 127) in the VST version only. Would this kind of implementation suit your needs?

I cannot promise it will be implemented in a near future, but if other customers are interested in this feature, we could consider the question sooner (if anybody wants it, please post here!).

[pcournoyer]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick response.

Yes, simple mapping in VST only if perfect for me. This way I can have the same handling of preset changes for the soft synths and the effects as well.

I can see that for track based studio work, the host can handle preset change, e.g. at specific part of a recorded song. But for live performance, there is no concept of pre-recorded track (anyway in my setup) and all setup changes are human triggered via some sort of MIDI control.

In the mean time I can probably rig something up in Bidule (there is probably nothing that can't be done in Bidule!!) but in the long run it would simplify project design and routing if all plug-in preset are handled via MIDI PC messages.

I mean with zero-latency, MIDI CC in/out support, zipper-free parameter changes, customizable GUI, your product is sooooo close to perfection for live applications...

[Blue Cat Audio]

I can see that for track based studio work, the host can handle preset change, e.g. at specific part of a recorded song.

It could be the same in a real time host since VST (and DirectX) hosts have access to the plugin presets. The host could receive the program change messages and transform them into MIDI CC or automation information for the plugin.

I mean with zero-latency, MIDI CC in/out support, zipper-free parameter changes, customizable GUI, your product is sooooo close to perfection for live applications...

Live usage is indeed important to us. I personally use most of our plugins for real time processing while playing the guitar.

[pcournoyer]

It could be the same in a real time host since VST (and DirectX) hosts have access to the plugin presets. The host could receive the program change messages and transform them into MIDI CC or automation information for the plugin.

True, I started to work on a Bidule group to trap the PC messages and automate the Preset Number parameter of the VST effect via Bidule's "parameter linking" feature. It seems like a workable solution, although it adds a control group for each effect to control.

On another topic, I am also looking for a good quality reverb and the more I think about it the more I believe that such an effect could greatly benefit from the "Blue Cat" treatment as well: zipper-free control of different parameters real-time via MIDI, control the amount / length / pan of reverbs from the output envelopes from DPMP or Dynamics... Anything in the works on that front?

Thanks again,

Patrick

[Blue Cat Audio]

To be honest we have some research being done on reverb and delay based effects right now. Not sure when a finalized product will come out of it, but for sure this is the kind of effects we are interested in .

The most simple effect I can see right now is a delay that you could control from the DPMP or Dynamics for envelope based ducking/panning. We are of course interested in your ideas & suggestions since you seem to be a real time effects "power user".

[pcournoyer]

since you seem to be a real time effects "power user"

He, he...trying the flattery I see

Not power really, but I guess being a software engineer it comes with the territory. I like to customize and tweak a setup until it is exactly the way I want. Discovering Bidule and its SDK was a real treat for me.

I can see the same potential with your effects, the way they can be made to interact with each other and not being used in isolation is very nice.

I have to admit that there are a couple of things on the shopping list before the reverb, so I will not have time to dig deeper into this research at this time. But if I come up with a good idea (you never know ), I will definitely share it. Conversely, if you ever need some beta tester for a reverb, do not hesitate.

Patrick

[Blue Cat Audio]

since you seem to be a real time effects "power user"

He, he...trying the flattery I see

At least you seem to know what you want .

We'll think about you when beta testing starts! In the meantime do not hesitate to express your opinion and needs on this forum or by email!