Masters Pack - Blue Cat Audio

Product Description

Blue Cat Audio Master Pack

The best value for mixing and mastering

All you need to finalize your mixes or master your audio tracks is here: visualize, monitor and verify the content of your tracks with ultimate precision thanks to Blue Cat's DP Meter Pro, Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst Pro and Blue Cat's StereoScope Pro. Adjust the spectrum with Blue Cat's Liny EQ and Blue Cat's Parametr'EQ, improve your tracks' dynamics with Blue Cat's Dynamics and maximize the loudness of the track with Blue Cat's Protector. Last but not least, Blue Cat's MB-5 Dynamix will let you finalize the dynamics and spectral balance.

Bundle Includes:

Blue Cat's DP Meter Pro

Blue Cat's DP Meter Pro (DPMP) is a unique audio analysis tool: it combines very flexible and customizable audio meters with advanced side chaining control capabilities thanks to its MIDI and automation outputs. The metering capabilities of the DPMP plug-in let you control and monitor audio signals exactly the way you want: almost every aspect of the peak, RMS and crest factor meters can be customized. It proposes five different scales by default, including Bob Katz's popular K-System scales (K-12, K-14, K-20), and you can create your own. Large colored statistics displays following your own scales are included for an overview of a track, while histograms give you a precise measurement of the dynamic range of the track. The graphs show the evolution of the audio envelopes over time, and the mid-side switch lets you verify mono compatibility problems and check the "stereoness" of your audio sources very easily. Whether you are working with mono, stereo or surround tracks, this plug-in will fit into your workflow. All envelopes (peak, RMS, crest factor...) can be reused for additional monitoring or side chaining purposes: combined together, reversed, modified and recorded as automation curves or sent as MIDI CC messages, they can control other effects in real time. The DP Meter Pro Tutorials explain how to use these unique capabilities in your favorite host. Possibilities are endless, from voice over and ducking to side chain compression, multiple tracks monitoring or dynamic stereo enhancement. It is also possible to control external MIDI hardware (such a synths, MIDI effects), video effects or lighting systems with an audio signal.

Features

• Multichannel peak, RMS & crest factor meter.
• True dynamic range measurement with levels histograms.
• Instant, average and maximum audio levels.
• Modular user interface to fit into your workflow, with multiple screen sizes.
• Total control over the metering characteristics, including attack/release shape.
• Bob Katz's K-System scales support (K-12 / K-14 / K-20 and custom)
• Mono, stereo, mid-side or surround analysis.
• Record measurements (peak, RMS, crest factor, clip etc.) as automation curves.
• Control in real time any MIDI-compatible plug-in or external MIDI device with the generated envelopes thanks to the plugin's MIDI CC output. See the Tutorials section for more examples.
• Manage the shape of the output envelope: record reversed envelope, change amount of signal, and offset the generated envelope. This lets you use the plug-in for side chain ducking, compression and much more.
• Easy 'stereoness' and phase cancelation measurement.

Blue Cat's Dynamics

Blue Cat's Dynamics is a full featured dynamics processor: it can be used as a compressor, limiter, gate, expander, waveshaper or all at once! The dynamics response of the plug-in can be tweaked with a unique two-thresholds system, and provides detailed visual feedback about its behavior. The plug-in includes several filters to control the frequencies affected by the compression. Its continuous VCA/Opto and Peak/RMS controls let you smoothly and precisely choose the behavior of the envelope detection like you have never been able to. The plug-in also provides advanced stereo features, with mid/side processing capability, multiple stereo linking options and the ability to choose the channels affected by the processor. An additional brick wall limiter and clipper protects the output for complete control over the dynamics response. Three different modes are available for external side chaining, using either the external side chain input, MIDI control or automation lanes. The configurable visual feedback shows every detail of what is going on inside the plug-in. You can also record this information as automation curves, to monitor the modifications applied to the signal on top of the audio representation of your favorite host application. All these features can be controlled from a fully configurable and "skinnable" user interface, or from any external controller.
The package includes a mono and a stereo version for optimal CPU usage.

Features

• Full featured dynamics processor: compressor, gate, limiter, expander, waveshaper with a unique two thresholds system.
• Total control over the processor: continuous peak/RMS and Opto/VCA modes selection, peak envelope shape control, depth control to limit the gain range.
• Total control over the signal: dry/wet control for parallel compression, input and side chain filters.
• Stereo or mid-side processing with multiple channels linking options.
• Post brickwall limiter or clipper.
• Optimal monitoring: dynamics response, envelopes and gain reduction real time display with zooming capability. The main compression information can be recorded as automation curves.
• Best quality: up to 4x oversampling for the best sounding quality.
• Multiple side chaining modes: a unique way to perform side chain compression, ducking, gating and much more.
• Fully configurable user interface for optimal experience.
• No latency.

Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst Multi

Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst Multi is a unique multiple tracks real time spectrum analyzer: it lets you visualize the spectral content of several audio tracks on the same screen with extreme smoothness and high resolution, for both time and frequency. It is the ideal solution for mixing: you can use it as a frequency overlap detector and actually see which part of the spectrum every single instrument uses. It is now also possible to easily compare the spectrum of several instances (for EQ matching or response curve measurement) thanks to the new 'Diff' view which displays the difference between several curves. Just like with Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst Pro plug-in, the frequency analysis can be fine tuned in details, and three modes are offered for each channel: instant, peak or average response of several audio tracks can be displayed on the same graph (the plugin supports up to 16 curves). Zooming capabilities and coordinates display let you exactly measure the characteristics of the spectrum for each audio track. Thanks to the advanced routing capabilities you can define different settings for each track and thus adapt the analysis for each audio signal you want to analyze. Our multiple tracks tutorial shows you how simple multiple tracks spectrum analysis can be. The four memory slots let you store any curve in memory: it helps you make comparisons between several setups or portions of your audio project very easily. Thanks to included window opacity management feature and advanced layout customization capabilities, you can adapt the plug-in user interface to your personal needs and enhance your workflow. It is also possible to create a completely custom user interface using Blue Cat's skinning language.

Features

• 64-bit compliant (AAX / AU / VST)
• Mono, stereo or mid/side multiple tracks real time spectrum analyzer: visualize and compare the spectrum of several audio tracks on the same screen.
• Unique data sharing technology with multi-core processors support.
• Compute and display the difference between spectra for easy EQ matching and response curve measurement.
• Total control over the analysis parameters, with slope and offset correction.
• Smart interpolation algorithm for extreme display smoothness.
• Spectrum view with zooming and precise measurement capabilities as well as note info display.
• Multiple display sizes
• Instant, peak and average curves display for each track.
• Choose a name for each curve for easier sharing.
• Save the curves for easy A/B comparison.
• Opacity control for the user interface.
• Custom absolute and relative threshold control.

Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst Pro

Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst Pro is a real time spectrum analyzer with advanced functionalities. It uses the same smooth algorithms as its little brother (Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst free plug-in): it has been designed to provide extreme smoothness and high resolution for both time and frequency. The frequency analysis can be fine tuned in details: manage its precision and rate, apply an offset or slope to the measured spectrum. Two thresholding systems are available, and the time response can be changed thanks to the attack and release parameters. Three modes are offered for each channel: instant, peak or average response can be displayed on the same graph. Zooming capabilities and coordinates display let you exactly measure the characteristics of the spectrum. The four memory slots let you store any curve in memory: it helps you make comparisons between several tracks or effects setup very easily. A spectrogram view has been added so that you can monitor the evolution of the spectrum over time either in 2D or 3D (3D waterfall mode). All channels are of course available in this view, with exact coordinates display and zooming capabilities. Like many of our other professional analysis tools, this plug-in also provides output parameters that you can use to control other effects in real time: the generated automation envelopes or MIDI CC messages include the minimum and maximum frequencies and the energy center of the spectrum, expressed in Hertz or as MIDI note value. With the transformation parameters (offset, amount and reverse), you can customize the generation of these parameters and monitor the modifications on the value graphs. Check the DP Meter Pro Tutorials to see how to use this capability within your favorite host. Thanks to this unique functionality, you can now control any effect with the pitch of the audio signal: imagine a filter on an instrument controlled by the pitch of another instrument, compression depending on the pitch of the signal... Anything is possible. Thanks to Blue Cat's skinning language support and the included window opacity management feature, you can adapt the plug-in user interface to your personal needs and enhance your workflow.

Features

• Mono, stereo or mid/side real time spectrum analyzer.
• Total control over the analysis parameters, with slope and offset correction.
• Smart interpolation algorithm for extreme display smoothness.
• Spectrum and spectrogram views.
• Animated zoom for all displays.
• Precise measurement capabilities, with note info display.
• 3D waterfall view with full 3D control.
• Solid or wireframe 3D surface display.
• Instant, peak and average curves display for each channel.
• Save the curves for easy A/B comparison.
• Opacity control for the user interface.
• Custom absolute and relative threshold control.

Blue Cat's Liny EQ

Blue Cat's Liny EQ is an 8 bands linear phase equalizer with very low latency and comprehensive visual feedback: thanks to its highly optimized linear phase kernel, it processes the signal without phase distortion, with an unusually short latency (less than 3 milliseconds). Its wide range of gain (+-40dB) and multiple filter shapes make it very flexible for a graphic EQ, letting you create unique EQ curves. The dual channels version offers independent settings for the left/right or mid/side channels, with flexible linking capabilities for an optimal workflow. The highly customizable user interface includes a first class spectrum analyzer and spectrogram viewer. It lets you choose the best layout and display options to adapt the plug-in to your own workflow. Thanks to its ability to update the EQ curve continuously using MIDI or automation and its additionnal "Mix" control, dynamic equalization tasks can be performed easily when used together with any of our control generation plug-ins.

Features

• Linear phase graphic equalizer
• very short latency (less than 3 ms: 128 samples at 44,1 kHz), with minimal pre-ringing artefacts.
• customizable range (+/- 40 dB).
• Exact EQ curve display.
• Four EQ shapes.
• Automatic gain compensation.
• Real time spectrum analyzer display.
• High resolution color and greyscale spectrogram display.
• High resolution color peak meter.
• Single and dual channel versions.
• Left/right or mid/side processing for spectral stereo widening or narrowing.
• Advanced channels linking capabilities.
• Multiple display sizes.
• Highly customizable user interface: display what you need, the way you need.

Blue Cat's MB-5 Dynamix

Blue Cat's MB-5 Dynamix is an extremely powerful all-in-one multiband dynamics processor: it can be used as a multiband compressor, limiter, gate, expander, waveshaper or all combined at once, on any part of the spectrum. The unique dynamics processing section of the Blue Cat's Dynamics plug-in has been streamlined and integrated in this plug-in to process each one of the 5 bands separately. The plug-in provides unique envelope detection capabilities that let one band trigger the dynamics response on others (internal side-chain). Combined with the advanced stereo features including mid/side processing and independent channels activation, it gives you full control over the dynamics of the signal for a wide range of effects. An additional brick wall limiter/clipper protects the output for complete control over the dynamics response. The plug-in provides comprehensive visual feedback to let you know what's exactly going on at every step of the dynamics processor: for each channel, monitor the spectrum, the in/out levels, dynamics response, compression ratio and in/out level of each band... The user interface has been designed to streamline the workflow, and despite the wide range of functionalities offered by the plug-in, it is extremely easy to use. Inter-bands controls (copy/paste, link...) lets you create complex treatments with a few clicks. Thanks to its advanced MIDI and automation output capabilities, Blue Cat's MB-5 Dynamix is capable of advanced side-chaining features: you can control other plug-ins with the output of the dynamics processing stage for simple side chain dynamics effects or more advanced signal-dependent effects. Check out our MB-5 Dynamix Tutorials for more details.

Features

• Full featured multiband dynamics processor: compressor, gate, limiter, expander, waveshaper.
• Up to 5 bands, with crossover filters from 6 to 60 dB/Oct for optimal separation.
• Unique envelope routing capability for cross-band dynamics effects (one band may trigger another).
• Dry/wet control for parallel processing ("New York Compression").
• Stereo or mid-side processing with multiple channels linking options.
• Post brickwall limiter or waveshaper.
• Complete Visual feedback with real time response curves and levels display.
• Easy copy/paste settings between bands.
• Side chaining made easy: a unique way to perform multi-band side chain compression, ducking, gating and much more.
• Plug-in window transparency management.
• No latency.

Blue Cat's Parametr'EQ

Blue Cat's Parametr'EQ is a 7 bands parametric equalizer combining the advantages of both the digital and analog worlds. Its special non-linear and oversampling features let you easily simulate the compression and distortion that may occur in an analog EQ or on the contrary obtain a very clean and transparent digital EQ. The plug-in includes a low shelf/low cut filter, a high shelf/high cut filter and 5 boost/cut band filters. An optional brickwall limiter has been added to the output to protect your ears and monitors. Its wide range of gain (+/-40 dB per band) and bandwidth (one hundredth to five octaves) makes it suitable for any equalization task, especially with the extra zooming capability that lets you define your own range for the user interface. The included skins let you choose the layout that best suits your needs, and you can completely customize the user interface thanks to Blue Cat's Skinning language support. The graph displays the computed frequency response of the plug-in, so that you can exactly know how your signal is processed. This is not an approximated or "ideal" response curve based on the controls of the user interface, but the exact computed frequency response of the filter, which makes this plug-in a true WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) equalizer. Thanks to the included Smooth Update technology, every single parameter of this equalizer can be automated in your favorite sequencer or controlled by MIDI in real time (MIDI learn included). You will get an absolutely zipper-free continuous time-varying equalization. Filters activation and bypass functions are now totally smooth and won't damage your ears or speakers. Last but not least, this equalizer has absolutely no latency, which make it perfect for real time applications.

Blue Cat's PatchWork

Blue Cat's PatchWork is a universal plug-ins patchbay that can host up to 64 VST, VST3 or Audio Unit plug-ins into any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) in one instance. It is possible to chain effects in series or create up to 8 parallel chains that can be activated independently. This lets you create your favorite effects or instruments configurations within the plug-in, without the need for multiple busses. These configurations can be saved as presets and recalled instantly, or shared with multiple DAWs, using any plug-in format (full list below). Despite the name, you can forget about wires or cables: configuring plug-ins routing is as simple as adding or removing a row or a column in the rack's matrix. All plug-ins can also communicate with each other or with the host application using the virtual MIDI ports offered by the plug-in. For each plug-in slot, latency compensation, presets management, undo/redo integration, audio i/o selection and individual plug-in bypass are included for optimal operation. The plug-in also stores the position of the window for each plug-in so that the layout is restored with your session or saved with presets.
Also, sub plug-ins can be automated or controlled with external control surfaces using Blue Cat's PatchWork parameters mapping capabilities. This product is available as an audio plug-in (effect or a virtual instrument) and standalone application, so that it can used alone or inserted on any type of track in your favorite DAW, with up to 16 audio channels. Input and output level meters are also available to monitor the signal that is dispatched to inserted plug-ins, including side chain and aux channels.

Features

• Configurable VST, VST3 or Audio Unit plug-ins rack: host up to 64 third party plug-ins or instruments in series or parallel.
• Available as an effect, virtual instrument or standalone application.
• Build your own effects chains: up to 8 "pre" and "post" plug-ins slots to chain plug-ins in series.
• Parallel processing made easy: up to 8 parallel plug-ins chains, with phase flip, solo and gain controls.
• Host up to 8 virtual instruments in parallel and mix them within the plug-in.
• Global Dry/Wet control ("Mix").
• Parameters Mapping: map sub plug-ins parameters to automate them or use a control surface.
• Flexible MIDI routing: connect sub plug-ins together or with the host application.
• Flexible Audio routing: connect sub plug-ins i/o to any audio channel.
• External side chain and multiple outputs support.
• Link pre and post gains for automatic gain compensation.
• Cut, Copy and paste plug-ins with their settings between slots.
• Recall complex processing setups and plug-ins layouts with one click and share them between your DAWs.
• Input and output levels monitoring.
• Plug-ins Latency compensation.
• Supports VST Shell plug-ins.
• Integrated undo/redo.
• Fully customizable user interface, with multiple sizes.

Blue Cat's Protector

Blue Cat's Protector is a 0 dB stereo brickwall limiter with adjustable dynamics response. It will typically find its place on the master bus of your DAW to protect your audio output from overshoot, limit the general volume and improve the perceived loudness, thanks to a very transparent frequency response. Despite its very simple set of controls, it offers a wide range of sounds and it is also suitable as a track limiter for more creative effects such as distortion, pumping or heavy limiting. Its large colorful meters and its custom dynamics histogram provide premium visual feedback and make it the perfect tool to monitor and control the dynamics on your master buss. You can also check in real time the loudness boost obtained with the limiter. Beyond its powerful dynamics processing features, and like most of our plug-ins, Blue Cat's Protector also offers a powerful side chain capability thanks to its MIDI CC output. This unique technique not only lets you do side chain limiting but also parameters modulation: control any parameter of any plugin to create powerful side chain effects in real time.

Features

• Multiband mixing console: adjust the levels, panning and "stereoness" of each band separately.
• Multiband VST, VST3 and Audio Unit Host: insert third party VST, VST3 and AU plug-ins and process each band independently.
• External side chain support for sub plug-ins on each band.
• Flexible Audio routing: connect sub plug-ins i/o to any audio channel for multi-mono effects or creative side chain.
• Pre and post fader VST/VST3/AU plug-in inserts, with full latency compensation.
• Up to 7 bands, with crossover filters from 6 to 96 dB/Oct for optimal separation.
• Multiple instances linking: group bands within a single instance or between multiple instances of the plug-in. Modify the spectrum on multiple tracks with a single slider.
• Bypass, mute, solo on every band.
• Mono switch on master for mono compatibility check.
• Dual Mode: independent left and right or mid and side channels control.
• Complete visual feedback with real time response curves, spectrogram, and levels display for each band.
• Side chaining made easy: a unique way to perform multi-band side chain compression, ducking, gating and much more.
• Fully customizable modular user interface, with multiple sizes.
• No additional latency.

Blue Cat's StereoScope Pro

Blue Cat's StereoScope Pro is a real time stereo field analyzer with multiple views and MIDI/automation output capabilities. It is a powerful help to analyze how the audio signal is spread in the stereo field, and you can easily detect potential phase and mono compatibilities issues. The stereo analysis can be controlled in details, and the precise measurements capabilities combined with the zoomable displays let you monitor what is exactly happening. Choose your preferred view for your needs: real-time stereo field display, the evolution of the stereo image over time (2D or 3D), or output parameters that explicitly describe the average position and extent of the audio signal in the stereo field. The 3D waterfall view lets you see in detail from your preferred viewpoint the evolution of the stereo image over time. The four memory slots let you store any curve in memory: it helps you make comparisons between several tracks or effects setup very easily. You can compare your mix with other commercial hits! Like our other professional analysis tools, the output parameters of this plug-in can be used to control other effects in real-time: the generated automation envelopes or MIDI CC messages include the minimum and maximum positions in the stereo field and the perceived position based on the audio energy spread in the stereo image. Check the DP Meter Pro Tutorials to see how to use this capability within your favorite host. Thanks to Blue Cat's skinning language support and the included window opacity management feature, you can adapt the plug-in user interface to your personal needs and enhance your workflow: work faster and more efficiently.

Features

• Real-time stereo image analyzer.
• Three detailed views: stereo image, "stereogram" (evolution of the image over time), and output parameters.
• Animated zoom for all views.
• Precise measurement capabilities.
• 3D waterfall view with full 3D control.
• solid or wireframe 3D surface display.
• Integrated correlation meter.
• Instant, peak, and average stereo image curves display.
• Easy phase cancelation and mono compatibility issues detection.
• Save the curves for easy A/B comparison.
• Opacity control for the user interface.
• Custom absolute and relative threshold control.

View Installation Instructions