Blue Cat Audio has released Blue Cat's Freeware Pack II, a complete redesign of its free audio plug-ins for Mac and PC.

This release mainly brings new plug-ins to the bundle (dual channel EQ, stereo phaser), as well as completely redesigned versions of the existing plug-ins: new user interfaces, a new presets management system, new MIDI and automation mapping capabilities, many new presets, Windows AAX support, and more (details below).

The plug-ins are available for download for free as a single bundle or separately on www.bluecataudio.com, in VST, RTAS, AAX, Audio Unit and DirectX formats (32 and 64-bit).

New Plug-ins:

• A dual channels EQ is now included in Blue Cat's Triple EQ, with both left/right and mid/side capabilities.
• The stereo version of Blue Cat's Phaser is now free and included.

Streamlined plug-ins collection:

• plug-ins have been grouped together for simpler install and usage.

New features:

• New user interface.
• 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.

Improvements:

• Plug-in names have been shortened for a clearer display in mixer view for most host applications.
• The plug-ins now appear in the appropriate category in Pro Tools ("Dynamics", "EQ" or "Modulation").
• Changed the default VST install path on Windows.
• Improved default response curve for automation and MIDI control.
• Added new presets.
• Improved value display in fine edit window.
• Improved user manual.

Optimizations and Performance Improvements:

• Reduced VST plug-ins 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 7 on Mac.

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.