AudioThing releases Fog Convolver - v1.5.1 - True Stereo!

[aMUSEd]

Nice update. Being able to collapse the preset browser is a nice touch. It would be nice if we could assign a root IR folder, that way we could access our IRs through a tree menu via the top preset window ... But I'm splitting hairs at this point. I'm very happy with Fog Convolver as it is. Great work, Carlo

Thank you. You can always import your IR banks with More -> Import IR Folder and manage the Banks as you wish.

Something is weird with this update, it's not loading any IRs. It loads the curves (if present) but not the wav and they are all showing as 0 seconds long (third party and factory bank).

That's odd. Can you check if maybe the start/end knob are wrong? Are you using a saved project or did you put it in a new project? Which format and which host are you using?

OK I have narrowed it down, it only happens if I have no instrument feeding sound into it before it in the chain (in Tracktion). I wonder if this is a consequence of the new gate? If it detects sound (also from external audio) it loads the IR.

[audiothing]

No, I didn't add any gate but I slightly changed the algorithm for the "not fast loading" of IRs. Can you check in More -> Settings if you have the Fast Load/Update disabled? Anyway I couldn't replicate the problem here on both Mac and PC, I tried several hosts, even Tracktion... but are you sure it wasn't having the same behavior before? There are a couple of hosts (like Logic) that may "freeze" the plugin before you start the playback or load an instrument into it.

[aMUSEd]

I already tried turning that setting on and off, that was my thought too. Can't replicate it in any other host on my Mac (Mavericks) but in Tracktion 6.1.10 64bit I can replicate it 100% just by inserting an instance into the effects chain without anything in front passing audio into it (instrument plugin or external audio). As soon as I insert an instrument and play a note, next time I change a preset it loads properly.

Edit - also it seems only the VST has this problem, just tried the AU and that works fine.

[gwok]

Thanks for all the great updates!

I have no complaints, I think the plugin is great, though I would have to agree with an earlier comment about a gate in. The new Relayer plugin has exactly this, and it's super handy. So much better to be able to do it within the plugin, then have to use DAW routing etc.

just some thoughts, great work!

G

[audiothing]

I already tried turning that setting on and off, that was my thought too. Can't replicate it in any other host on my Mac (Mavericks) but in Tracktion 6.1.10 64bit I can replicate it 100% just by inserting an instance into the effects chain without anything in front passing audio into it (instrument plugin or external audio). As soon as I insert an instrument and play a note, next time I change a preset it loads properly.

Edit - also it seems only the VST has this problem, just tried the AU and that works fine.

Ok I'll double check later with the VST. It's still strange and it may be host related.

Thanks for all the great updates!

I have no complaints, I think the plugin is great, though I would have to agree with an earlier comment about a gate in. The new Relayer plugin has exactly this, and it's super handy. So much better to be able to do it within the plugin, then have to use DAW routing etc.

just some thoughts, great work!

Thank you! Yes, a gate function would be very nice indeed. I'll see if I can add it in a next update but I can't guarantee it.

[elxsound]

Just purchased... Looking forward to building my preset library and adding to my default template.

[audiothing]

Just purchased... Looking forward to building my preset library and adding to my default template.

Thank you and enjoy!

Price will be updated tomorrow.

[lnikj]

Importing entire IR Folders and a way to rate those presets goes a long ways. Will need to try the demo, but I love your work and am still a big fan of Organetta.

Thanks for the kind words.

I hope you can take the following as constructive critcism.

I'm not sure who your target market is here. Given your previous offerings (I'm a happy Frostbite owner), I think you like creative effects and are probably not trying to mount a challenge on Altiverb.

What *I* would like to see is this implemented as more of a creative effect, because between having Space Designer in Logic, Convolution Reverb Pro in Live, Kontakt's built in convo, Reflektor in Guitar Rig, and finally the very powerful and creative (though clunky!) Reverberate, there isn't really a gaping hole for Fog Convolver to fill. I suspect many people are in a similar position.

Your interface is a pleasure to use, I love the visual feedback, and the browser is great. It makes convolution easy to use, but as it stands it is not full featured enough for me. Reverberate, with your GUI ideas, would be great.

A Fog Convolver *Pro* reconfigured as a creative reverb effect would certainly fill a hole. Something with built in MSEGs and custom LFOs, a step sequenced gate, chorus and delays for example. I'd be seriously interested in that.

I'm not sure I'm your target market though.

Cheers.

Thanks for your feedback. Without constructive criticism I wouldn't be able to improve my plugins, so it's always welcome. Actually sometime I feel like I should pay for these suggestions, tips and ideas

As you said, in both my sample libraries and plugins I try to follow the creative and/or unusual approach.
I wanted to make Fog Convolver for two main reasons: easy to use yet not too simple convolution plugin, and a nice IR library following AudioThing philosophy. My plans are to expand the factory bank in the future and also offering new commercial banks (and of course let both users and other developers create their own banks). As a user myself I love the preset browsers of NI plug-ins (like Massive) and Omnispheres etc...so I focused on that. I know that most experienced users will make (or already have) their own IRs, but most of the time people will simply browse for presets. In a way, I used Fog Convolver as an excuse to make my IR bank(s) available.

Also, as many noted, the GUI is another important aspect. This is of course personal opinion, but, as a user, whether I use simple or super complex plugins, if the GUI is not easy/appealing/nice, creativity is turned down. I know, this is my limit.
Last time I used Space Designer I realized that most of the work was done in Audacity (to edit the IRs) and I just drag-dropped the files, barely moving the Wet/Dry parameters. I wanted to improve this experience.

I already have plans for a Pro version with probably 5.1 support, true stereo etc...I'll consider your suggestions (LFOs and sequencer/gate sound really interesting) but I also have other creative ideas to use convolution in different ways, especially in synthesisers, more on this hopefully soon.

Last minute purchase for me too before the price went up. I've been trying to convince myself not to buy it for the last week, but in the end ...

What I really appreciate IS the preset browser. I have amassed quite a lot of IRs over the years but I never really used them that much because they were not accessible - I was constantly scrolling through them.

I can see now that my battle will be to sort out a system of tagging and categorising them that works for me.

It is great that you respond to user requests and I look forward to a gate in the future. You have already fixed one of my issues with the plugin - that the wet/dry sliders crackled when I automated them. The ability to massively stretch the IR is a nice touch too.

I look forward to seeing the pro version one day, and also the synth you mention.

Cheers.

[lnikj]

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[Hez]

Anyone else using it with Bitwig? Having trouble on Bitwig 1.1.8 and 1.1.9, only the 32 bit version of the plugin shows in the browser and I get a plugin host died: end of stream error when trying to open it.

[elxsound]

Some things I'd love to see changed in either this version or in a pro version...

1. A parameter lock just for the dry/wet signals. I personally use this on a send most of the time, so locking it at 100% wet with no dry signal is a must. The all parameter lock is not enough, I don't always want to lock the other parameters when switching presets (but again, I don't want the dry signal turned on).

2. Export option... I'd love to see an export option in the actual wav display (like the word "export" shown in the upper right corner, similar to the all parameter lock in the preset bar). This would be an amazing, blazing fast workflow improvement.

3. This one I don't really care so much about, but I see how it could benefit users in general... Having a simple button to hide/show the preset browser would be helpful. I personally don't see a place for it in the current GUI so again, possibly for a pro version in the future.

4. A way to locate the factory IR bank via the more/settings menu.

-Upon first install, I meant to install the library in a dedicated folder on a dedicate hard drive, but (but still installed in the main directory instead of the dedicated sub directory - it was user error ). Using the +/- controls to add the factory bank after moving to the correct location resulted in duplicated preset folder (as the import created a new folder) and the heading for each category, preset or tag, would appear with the parent directory name followed by a "/" and then name as designed in the factory bank.

-The only way I could fix this was by reinstalling (and of course choosing the intended location correctly during install). Fog Convolver does not appear to recognize if presets have already been created and import those instead of creating new ones.

5. The ability to browse presets using the up/down arrows on the computer keyboard. This of course, a workflow improvement.

6. A button to enable/disable auto-play of presets as selected. This would be extremely helpful (but of course it would have to be defaulted to disable). But, as a "pro" feature it would be useful for anyone designing a library for either personal or commercial use. It would be helpful for anyone just curious about their IR libraries.

Lastly (for now) I have a question....

Are the preset tags a proprietary feature to fog convolver's preset structure, or can tags be pulled from metadata in the WAV file?

[audiothing]

It is great that you respond to user requests and I look forward to a gate in the future. You have already fixed one of my issues with the plugin - that the wet/dry sliders crackled when I automated them. The ability to massively stretch the IR is a nice touch too.

I look forward to seeing the pro version one day, and also the synth you mention.

Working on user requests is what makes the final product better for everyone. I always consider feedbacks and I try to accommodate all suggestions. I'll work on the next update, but this one could take a while. Also Pro and Convolution Synth are definitely on the to-do list but I'm going to need a very long research time.

Anyone else using it with Bitwig? Having trouble on Bitwig 1.1.8 and 1.1.9, only the 32 bit version of the plugin shows in the browser and I get a plugin host died: end of stream error when trying to open it.

I didn't test it on Bitwig, I'll see if I can try it on a demo version but if you can please contact us here: http://www.audiothing.net/contact/ (please provide all necessary details to track this issue).

[lnikj]

It is great that you respond to user requests and I look forward to a gate in the future. You have already fixed one of my issues with the plugin - that the wet/dry sliders crackled when I automated them. The ability to massively stretch the IR is a nice touch too..

Working on user requests is what makes the final product better for everyone. I always consider feedbacks and I try to accommodate all suggestions.

Do you think you could pass those sentiments on to Izotope?

[audiothing]

Some things I'd love to see changed in either this version or in a pro version...

1. A parameter lock just for the dry/wet signals. I personally use this on a send most of the time, so locking it at 100% wet with no dry signal is a must. The all parameter lock is not enough, I don't always want to lock the other parameters when switching presets (but again, I don't want the dry signal turned on).

Agree on that. I'll add same controls like the random lock.

2. Export option... I'd love to see an export option in the actual wav display (like the word "export" shown in the upper right corner, similar to the all parameter lock in the preset bar). This would be an amazing, blazing fast workflow improvement.

That's reasonable, perhaps right corner of the monitor, even an export icon. I'll think about that.

3. This one I don't really care so much about, but I see how it could benefit users in general... Having a simple button to hide/show the preset browser would be helpful. I personally don't see a place for it in the current GUI so again, possibly for a pro version in the future.

Yes, I couldn't find a reasonable position in the GUI that's why I just added it to the Global Settings, but I may rethink a couple of things or I'm open to suggestions.

4. A way to locate the factory IR bank via the more/settings menu.

-Upon first install, I meant to install the library in a dedicated folder on a dedicate hard drive, but (but still installed in the main directory instead of the dedicated sub directory - it was user error ). Using the +/- controls to add the factory bank after moving to the correct location resulted in duplicated preset folder (as the import created a new folder) and the heading for each category, preset or tag, would appear with the parent directory name followed by a "/" and then name as designed in the factory bank.

-The only way I could fix this was by reinstalling (and of course choosing the intended location correctly during install). Fog Convolver does not appear to recognize if presets have already been created and import those instead of creating new ones.

Mmm that's actually strange but I know what happend. There are two way of adding a bank actually, if you click on the + button below the Bank List you will have two options "Create or Add Bank/Folder" and "Import IR Folder" (which is the same as More -> Import IR Folder). If you choose the first option it will check for an existing bank (especially the Factory bank) and will add it normally without re-creating all the presets.

5. The ability to browse presets using the up/down arrows on the computer keyboard. This of course, a workflow improvement.

Should be possible although I had some problems with some hosts in the past with keyboard focusing. I'll look into it.

6. A button to enable/disable auto-play of presets as selected. This would be extremely helpful (but of course it would have to be defaulted to disable). But, as a "pro" feature it would be useful for anyone designing a library for either personal or commercial use. It would be helpful for anyone just curious about their IR libraries.

That's actually very interesting. Kinda like Kontakt auto-play. I'm definitely going to add that.

Lastly (for now) I have a question....

Are the preset tags a proprietary feature to fog convolver's preset structure, or can tags be pulled from metadata in the WAV file?

They are proprietary, but I already got some request of pulling metadata from WAVs and also exporting the banks as a XML or CSV file. I'll consider this.

As said before, I'll work on a new update but this one could take a while (unless big/urgent bugs are discovered of course). I really appreciate all these feedbacks and suggestions. Thanks!

[lnikj]

I am currently importing IRs and one thing I would really appreciate is some way of bulk editing preset metadata. That is, the ability to make multiple preset selections to add, for example, preset author. Pasting in the same author 500 times is a bit painful. I have IRs that I know I would like to apply the same tags and categories too as well.

I don't know if this is possible but if you are looking at XML/CSV export then perhaps making that two way and allowing for import too would be a way forward.