Patchwork Parameter Linking Third-Party Plug-ins

[lagwagon]

Hi, I'm using Patchwork to make a third-party plugin operate in dual mono. In Patchwork, I can easily duplicate and route the plugin I'm using so that one instance is one the left, and one instance is on the right.

But, how do I link all parameters so that I can control both instances from one skin?

[Blue Cat Audio]

There is no easy way to do this right now. But if you want to link all parameters together, why not use the plug-in as stereo instead?

By the way dual mono often has problems if you link only the parameters as many plug-in have an internal state that won't be duplicated.

[lagwagon]

There is no easy way to do this right now. But if you want to link all parameters together, why not use the plug-in as stereo instead?

By the way dual mono often has problems if you link only the parameters as many plug-in have an internal state that won't be duplicated.

Basically, I'm running various compressor programs via Acustica's N4. N4 is a plugin that loads programs of sampled equipment, which takes just a little time. It even allows users to create alternate plugin versions of itself, each with their own tweaks and Magic ID. Processing in dual-mono won't cause any issues with N4's internal state because it'll simply be operating two separate mono compressors. Unfortunately, N4 has neither parameter linking or numerical entry...

I'm making dual-mono effects chains in Patchwork, reproducing the effects of certain unlinked, analog compressors by using two inserts, each housing an instance of a compressor. One is routed to be the L side. The other is routed to be the R side. When I make the smallest change to a parameter, on either instance, I get flamming and whatnot. But, when I copy + paste, for example, the 'L' instance over the 'R' instance in Patchwork, it overwrites the 'R' side's audio I/O routing.

Since parameter linking isn't doable right now, can you add options to 'Copy Plugin's Settings' and 'Paste Plugin's Settings'?

I don't want to copy + paste the routing of an insert. I just want to temporarily copy the settings from one instance of a plugin and paste those onto another instance of the same plugin. They both share the same Magic ID. With that option, even though it's manual, it'll be more efficient than re-routing the plugin's audio I/O's every time. Also, it would be more efficient than saving and applying a preset anytime that I make a change.



I don't want to use stereo (linked) because I prefer what unlinked compression does to the sound. It often gives me what I perceive to be an interesting, wider sound. And, it doesn't clamp down on the right when I just need it to tame the left a bit (for example). Many pro mixers prefer unlinked compression on groups/busses.

"I think the balance-shifting issue is greatly exaggerated. If you are mastering conservatively, with very little gain reduction and relatively slow attack and release times and ratios, it becomes very hard to find an instance of noticeable image shift. All I know is I now run my limiter and my Cranesong Trakker in unlinked mode, and I hear an apparent increase in stereo separation. This might very well be due to slight image shifting producing an APPARENT increase in separation. If so, it's certainly a euphonic and pleasant effect. It's also possible there's some increased crosstalk in the Cranesong design in linked mode. Either way, I prefer unlinked most of the time. I'm waiting for that moment of image shift that will catch me, but clearly the practices and amounts of processing I am using are conservative enough to reduce the chances.

As for peak limiting, if you have percussive music, unlinked can reduce the "clamping" effect a bit. And so far, with conservative limiting (whatever "conservative" means in this day and age) I have not heard any image shift artifacts on the vast majority of music I master. In fact, I've ceased to worry about it. " - Bob Katz Mastering Engineer