Blue Cat Audio announces massive software update and end-of-year promotions

Blue Cat Audio has announced a massive update for all their 30 plug-ins and applications (including 7 free plug-ins), and has launched end of year promotions before turning 20 in 2023.

This free update brings Apple Silicon compatibility for the AAX platform for all plug-ins (including freeware). The new version of Axiom, the company's multi effects processor for guitar and bass, adds major new features such as macro controls, improved MIDI controller integration, a new transport toolbar for the application and much more (full list below). The update also brings notable improvements for PatchWork, Plug'n Script, Remote Control and Hot Tuna, and includes a couple of compatibility fixes and minor enhancements for all other plug-ins (more details below).

The Axe Pack bundle for guitar and bass has also been updated and now contains two more plug-ins: PolyVibe for all sorts of UniVibe and phasing tones, and Re-Head, a plug-in that helps getting the best out of amp simulations on headphones.

What's New For All Plug-Ins (including Freeware):

• Apple Silicon support for AAX Plug-in Format.

What's New For Blue Cat's Axiom 1.65:

• New macro controls editor to edit plug-in parameters mapping.
• Assign multiple parameters from multiple plug-ins to a single macro control, and adjust the range for each parameter.
• Assign a name to each macro control, that is now displayed in automation lanes in most host applications (may require a session reload in some cases).
• Parameters names for existing sessions will be automatically updated upon load.
• Select macro knobs appearance among 18 predefined styles.
• New learn modes to quickly assign plug-in parameters.
• MIDI output is now enabled in standalone application.
• Select individual MIDI I/O in standalone application.
• Added an option in global & preset input settings to send MIDI events when MIDI-enabled parameters are modified in the plug-in (to update control surfaces accordingly).
• In most plug-in formats, internal audio I/O configuration can now be selected regardless of the configuration defined by the host (you can for example force "mono to stereo" instead of full stereo to save CPU).
• Axiom App now uses Apple's Hardened Runtime and the installer has been notarized to avoid security warnings on Mac.
• New transport toolbar in Axiom app, including pause, rewind and tempo selection (with tap tempo).
• Improved performance to load the user interface.
• Improved VST parameter value display in some host applications.
• Fixed bypass that did not let MIDI messages go thru for some MIDI plug-ins.
• Fixed some GUI resizing issues with some VST3 plug-ins.
• Includes Late Replies 1.6 and updated presets.
• Includes Hot Tuna 1.2 with improved tuning precision.
• Built-in Late Replies delay/reverb plug-in now opens in guitarist-friendly "EZ" mode by default.
• Mac: installers and plug-ins have been notarized to avoid security warnings on Mac OS Catalina and newer.

What's New For Blue Cat's PatchWork 2.61:

• New transport toolbar in PatchWork app, including pause, rewind and tempo selection (with tap tempo).
• Added Ambisonic (1st order) and alternate surround formats (up to 8ch) support for Pro Tools.
• Fixed an issue with some VST3 plug-ins requiring to click twice on the bypass button to get bypassed.

What's New For Blue Cat's Plug'n Script 3.33:

• Actual parameter names (as set in the scripts) should now be visible in automation lanes in most host applications (may require a session reload in some cases).
• VST: improved parameter value display in some host applications.
• The application is now using Apple's hardened runtime, and the installer has been notarized to avoid security warnings on Mac. You may have to add the --force option to code signing command line if you are signing your binaries.
• Added Ambisonic and alternate surround formats support for Pro Tools (Plug'n Script only: not yet for exported plug-ins).

What's New For Blue Cat's Remote Control 3.11:

• Custom control names should now be visible in automation lanes in most host applications (may require a session reload in some cases).
• VST: improved parameter value display in some host applications.
• Mac: installers and plug-ins have been notarized to avoid security warnings on Mac OS Catalina and newer.

What's New for other plug-ins

(AcouFiend 1.11, Connector 1.11, DP Meter Pro 4.31, Destructor 1.62, Dynamics 4.41, FreqAnalyst Multi 2.41 & Pro 2.11, Hot Tuna 1.2, Liny EQ 5.21, MB-5 Dynamix 2.21, Oscilloscope Multi 2.41, PolyVibe 1.01, Protector 2.31, Re-Guitar 1.21, Re-Head 1.21, StereoScope Multi 2.41 & Pro 2.11):

• Fixed VST3 version not always loading properly in Ableton Live 11.
• Improved VST parameter value display in some host applications.
• Added an option in global & preset input settings to send MIDI events when MIDI-enabled parameters are modified in the plug-in (to update control surfaces accordingly).
• Improved undo management and automation when using the mouse wheel to move knobs.
• AAX: Fixed erratic mouse behavior in Pro Tools on Mac.
• Mac: installers and plug-ins have been notarized to avoid security warnings on Mac OS Catalina and newer.
• Blue Cat's Connector ASIO driver: fixed I/O names not displayed in some hosts that do not initialize the driver before listing the audio I/O (Cantabile, vMix).
• Blue Cat's Hot Tuna: The plug-in now displays the distance to perfect pitch in cents.
• Fixed VST & VST3 automation not recording properly in some hosts for plug-ins with output parameters (Cubase 11, Ableton Live).

Blue Cat Audio has launched end of year promotions before the company turns 20 in 2023, with up to 50% off audio plug-ins and applications until December 31st. Existing customers are granted an extra discount (up to 25%) during the year-end promotions period, with a coupon received by email. The free plug-ins remain 100% free and can be downloaded freely on bluecataudio.com.