Unify by PluginGuru; The next big thing?

[getdunne]

I was hoping for a bigger library of onboard midi fx...

I was just hoping that the midi effects in this were sort of a modular setup that I could incorporate into a preset and with standard things like randomizers and note routers on board.

We will be expanding our MIDI effects over time. I invite you to join our users' forum at https://forums.pluginguru.com and start a discussion of what you need. The list of possibilities you've mentioned here is a start, but not detailed enough for me to go on as a developer.

Regarding the notion of "modular setup", note that you can use any third-party MIDI effects you already have (or add over time), connect them in arbitrary ways (especially using our built-in ComboBox plug-in) and save the whole arrangement into a patch.

[gondii]

It would be really, really cool if it were possible to record the midi data.

Also looking forward to multi out, which I believe will be added at some point?

[zoidkirb]

It would be really, really cool if it were possible to record the midi data.

Also looking forward to multi out, which I believe will be added at some point?

These are the two features I want more than anything.
Especially midi out so I can print out midi to the DAW and add further variations, cut/paste, transpose etc and get past my sketchpad/jamming stage.

[gondii]

Exactly, midi is most important to me, too. I love all the quick and easy midi routing options and am getting great results right now. But I, too, like to get surgical with the data later on and that's unfortunately quite limiting right now.

[getdunne]

Unify v1.4 is out today, with AAX support, new bundled plug-ins, and as always, new patches.
Change log at https://pluginguru.net/unify/change-log.html.
Existing customers: log into your account at https://pluginguru.com, or whichever third-party vendor you purchased from.
New customers: https://pluginguru.com/products/unify-standard

[WatchTheGuitar]

I don't know if this was happening before 1.4 or not, but created a simple patch with one unify layer, preset named "BPM DRUM - Beat 23" from PSD - Synth Motions Drum Edition and latched it to mono on note C1 only. In both a DAW (Reaper) and Standalone I find that after a few bars the timing has started to drift really badly.
If I load the same drum patch so that it's not in a new single Unify layer, but with all instruments, aux etc layers the timing works flawlessly and could set your watch by it.

Anyone else got this? Played with a few other beats and didn't seem to notice this happening with them.

Outside of that I have a feature request - and I will raise it on the official forum too - to have the overall master volume to be independent of patches so that if you accidentally load a new patch that is about +20 dB louder than the ones you have been using you don't suddenly deafen yourself. I generally want to be able to set a comfortable maximum volume with maybe a brickwall limiter on it so I can just forget about such things. Obviously I can set that up in a DAW easily, but not standalone.

[mrsugmad]

Here's the full list of changes/fixes for Unify 1.4
===========================================

Version 1.4.0 (released 18 March 2021)

This update is recommended for all Unify users. It includes a number of new features, some of which are not yet documented in the online manual. Keep checking; the manual will be updated ASAP.
High-level changes

AAX Plug-ins are now included
Available on both Mac and Windows.
64-bit only.
Allow bridging VST/VST3 plug-ins into Pro Tools (and AU on Mac only).
Master Effects layer in Embedded Unify instances is now disabled by default
Whole layer goes dark.
Can be enabled manually by clicking new "B" button at far left.
INST layers can be enabled/disabled
Via external MIDI control only for now - not via GUI.
Whole layer goes dark when disabled.
Disabled layers don't receive new MIDI notes, but their output audio continues to ring out.
External MIDI control capabilities expanded
See relevant page in user manual for details.

GUI and functional changes

Curve editors
All curve editors now have a Presets button, which pops up a menu of standard curve XML files.
All have new right-click menu to access load/save, copy/paste functions.
If grid lines are present, holding down SHIFT to engages snap-to-grid.
Macro Knobs
Per-knob ops menu text reworked for greater clarity.
New options to copy/paste knob value as well as name+links+value.
New patch-loading options
New right-click option in Browser: Add INST1 layer only to current patch.
After "load as new Unify layer", can choose "replace with embedded INST1" from layer ops-menu.
Save dialog
Last-used Library can now be remembered (this is a Setting; see below under Settings).
Settings
New row of checkboxes labeled "Patch Save Defaults" allows you to specify which items (Library, Category, Tags, Author).
Also shortcut buttons to select All and None.

Changes to Built-in plug-ins

Embedded Unify
GUI now scales correctly according to scaling percentage chosen in Settings.
Guru Sampler
LFO section expanded with bpm-sync, one-shot, custom curves, phase control, and amplitude knob.
Mod-wheel Lag function is now symmetric: same rate up as down.
Filter Sustain knob is now skewed, to facilitate setting smaller values.
FilterMax, FlexEQ, Restrictor, Omega Delay
Filter knobs no longer cause "zipper noise" artifact.
PolyBox
New trigger modes: Knob, Knob/rt, cc126, and cc126/rt allow direct control over selected output channel.
Knob modes allow connecting a Macro knob, cc126 modes allow MIDI control.
"RT" variant retriggers existing notes when output channel (layer) changes, for "strum" effects.
MIDIBox
Sequencer code has been substantially reworked.
Timing should be tighter, missed notes/beats should no longer occur.
Also several bug fixes; see below.
MIDI Filter
"Aftertouch" checkbox operates on channel pressure as well as poly aftertouch.
Code has been reworked: Stuck notes should no longer occur.

New Bundled plug-ins added

Chow Tape Model
Digital emulation of reel-to-reel tape machine, with realistic saturation, loss, and wow/flutter effects.
Included by kind permission of Jatin Chowdhury; see https://chowdsp.com/products.html.
Chow Matrix
Insanely powerful delay effect, with complex internal modulation and feedback.
Included by kind permission of Jatin Chowdhury; see https://chowdsp.com/products.html.

Bug fixes and Minor changes

Plug-in matching logic improved
Loading incorrect plug-in should occur rarely or never.
MIDIBox overhauled
Many timing issues corrected.
Lead/lag offset value can now be edited: click in box, type new value, hit ENTER to accept.
Whole GUI now updates promptly after loading a new MIDI file.
File-open dialog now starts in correct folder always.
Spectrasonics plug-ins
Several bugs related to Omnisphere 2 and other Spectrasonics plug-ins have been fixed.

[mabian]

2020?

[getdunne]

2020?

Good eye @mabian! That's now fixed at https://pluginguru.net/unify/change-log.html.

[gondii]

I have had this problem with the installer too, but the files are really hard to download, Bitdefender is really trying to block them. Says files and website are infected. I have not had this with any other download. I even added an exception for pluginguru, but still, it won't let me.

[getdunne]

I have had this problem with the installer too, but the files are really hard to download, Bitdefender is really trying to block them. Says files and website are infected. I have not had this with any other download. I even added an exception for pluginguru, but still, it won't let me.

I'm sorry you're having such trouble. We are still trying to figure out what it is about the PlugInGuru.com site that is tripping up Bitdefender.

In the meantime, please try downloading from https://www.ilio.com/unify-updates instead. The files are the same.

[gondii]

I'm sorry you're having such trouble. We are still trying to figure out what it is about the PlugInGuru.com site that is tripping up Bitdefender.

In the meantime, please try downloading from https://www.ilio.com/unify-updates instead. The files are the same.

awesome, thank you very much, this worked without problems!! glad that there is a workaround. good luck with fixing that issue.

[mrsugmad]

March 20, 2021 - Livestream Chat with Herbie Hancock, Jordan Rudess, Steve Porcaro + more!

[josh2069]

Hello.
Is there more info of the Pro version ? I am more interested in the Networking side of things. Should I purchase Vienna Ensemble Pro or wait for this ?
Thanks.

[getdunne]

Is there more info of the Pro version ? I am more interested in the Networking side of things. Should I purchase Vienna Ensemble Pro or wait for this ?

A "Pro" version of Unify is a long way off. Our networking is still experimental, not ready for production use. If you need networking, get VEP. It's expensive but solid.