Blue Cat's Don't Crack Pack

Blue Cat's Digital Peak Meter Pro

Blue Cat's Digital Peak Meter Pro (DPMP) is a unique audio analysis tool: it includes very flexible and customizable audio meters as well as advanced side chaining control capabilities thanks to its MIDI and automation output.

The metering capabilities of the DPMP plug-in let you control and monitor your audio signal exactly the way you want: almost every aspect of the meters can be customized. It now proposes five different scales, including Bob Katz's very popular K-System scales (K-12, K-14, K-16 and also the extra K-10). 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.

The peak and RMS envelopes can be combined together, reversed, modified and recorded as automation curves (see the screenshots) or sent as MIDI CC messages to control other effects in real time. The Peak 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. Thanks to the ability to customize the MIDI output response curve for each parameter, the output can be made compatible with any MIDI device.

Last but not least, the skinning capabilities of this plug-in will let you customize the way you monitor your signal: create your own skins or download skins from our website.

Blue Cat's Dynamics

Blue Cat's Dynamics is a complete dynamics effect processor: it can be used as a compressor, limiter, gate, expander or even waveshaper for distortion. You can manage the dynamics response of the plug-in with a unique two-thresholds system. The plug-in includes an input filter as well as a side chain filter, in order 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 plugin also provides advanced stereo features, with mid/side processing capability, multiple stereo linking options and the ability to choose on which channels to apply the effect.

An additional brick wall limiter/clipper protects the output for complete control over the dynamics response. You can use this software as a real time side chain compressor as well, thanks to its unique MIDI CC & automation output. Side chaining has never been so easy, as you can see in our tutorial, and it even lets you trigger external hardware devices. It's also possible to trigger other effects according to the dynamics response, as shown in our dynamic EQ tutorial: you can build your own dynamics processing effect with your favorite plugins.

The real time display of the detected envelope under the compression curve lets you know what's exactly going on in the dynamics processor. You can also visualize what's been applied to your audio signal with the real time in/out envelopes display: there is no easier way to compare the input and output signals in real time. You can also record all this information as automation curves, so that it's possible to monitor the modifications applied to the signal on top of the audio representation in your favorite host. See our monitoring tutorial for details.

All these features can be controlled from a user-friendly and skinnable user interface (customize it to your own needs!), or from any hardware/software MIDI controller. MIDI learn has not been forgotten so that MIDI setup is fast and reliable.

The package includes a mono and a stereo version for optimal CPU usage.

If you are looking for a multiband dynamics processor, check out the Blue Cat's MB-5 Dynamix plugin.

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 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.

If you are looking for a single track spectrum analyzer with a spectrogram view and audio to MIDI capabilities, check our Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst Pro plug-in.

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 Peak 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.

For integrated multiple tracks spectrum analysis, check our Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst Multi plug-in.

Blue Cat's Liny EQ

Blue Cat's Liny EQ is a 9 bands linear phase equalizer. It processes the signal without the usual phase distortion most classical digital EQs produce. Its customizable and wide range of gain (+/-40 dB per band) makes it suitable for any sound sculpting to subtle final mix equalization task. Additionaly, two shapes are available for the filters ("Notch" or "Symmetric").

The Smooth Update mechanism has been included in this plug-in so that you can automate the equalizer in your favorite sequencer or use the MIDI capabilities of your sequencer to control it in real time. You will get an absolutely zipper-free continuous time-varying equalization. This equalizer also has a very small latency (less than 3 milliseconds) thanks to its optimized very short kernel.

The built-in Blue Cat's skinning engine enables you to skin this plug-in: adapt the user interface to your needs and customize the look of your Blue Cat's plugin! 3 skins are included in the install package. This web sites offers you to download more skins or learn how to create new ones. It's all free!

This version is a mono effect, which means that you will get the same effect on left and right sides of your audio signal. You may also want to check the Stereo Liny EQ or Widening Liny EQ effects.

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 (.01 to 5 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.

This version is a mono effect, which means that you will get the same effect on left and right sides of your audio signal. You may also want to check the Stereo Parametr'EQ plugin or Widening Parametr'EQ plugin for more advanced control on the stereo channels.

Blue Cat's Stereo Liny EQ

Based on Blue Cat's Liny EQ technology, Blue Cat's Stereo Liny EQ is a 9 bands linear phase stereo equalizer. It has the same characteristics as the standard Liny EQ, and it enables separate Left / Right management of the spectrum: automate the +/-40dB faders for a zipper-free surgical time-varying equalization of your signal with a minimal extra latency (less than 3ms)!

Equalize your stereo signal without phase distortion, with this professional fully-automatable stereo equalizer! If you wish you can also link left and right faders to have the same behavior as the original Liny EQ plug-in or mirror one channel to another.

If you are looking for a stereo widening equalizer, you may want to also check the Widening Liny EQ effect.

Blue Cat's Stereo Parametr'EQ

Blue Cat's Stereo Parametr'EQ is a 7 bands parametric stereo equalizer based on Blue Cat's Parametr'EQ technology, providing the best of the analog and digital worlds in stereo.

This stereo plug-in enables you to manage separately the left and right equalizer settings and keep an eye on both frequency responses thanks to the frequency graph above the controls. The left equalizer is visible by its blue color and the right equalizer controls and graph are red. Left and right controls can be linked together with several modes. The Smooth Update and Smooth Bypass technologies have been included in this plug-in so that you can automate the equalizer in your favorite sequencer or use the MIDI capabilities of your host software to control the EQ in real time. You will get an absolutely zipper-free continuous time-varying equalization. These capabilities and the zero latency of this plug-in make it suitable for any real time application.

For more information about the Parametr'EQ technology and algorithms, please read Blue Cat's Parametr'EQ plugin's description.

If you are looking for a stereo widening/narrowing equalizer, you may want to check Blue Cat's Widening Parametr'EQ plugin.

Blue Cat's StereoScope Multi

Blue Cat's StereoScope Multi is a unique tool to compare the stereo image of several tracks in real time. It is the ideal solution for mixing: you can actually see which part of the stereo field every single instrument uses. It can also be used to analyze an effect chain and see how audio effects influence the stereo image of your content.

This plug-in is based on the same stereo analysis algorithms as Blue Cat's StereoScope Pro analysis plug-in, and the instant, peak or average responses of several audio tracks can be displayed on the same graph (the plug-in supports up to 16 curves). The same zooming capabilities and coordinates display let you exactly measure the characteristics of the stereo image for each audio track. The advanced routing capabilities let you define different settings for each track, and thus adapt the parameters for each audio signal you want to analyze. Our multiple tracks audio analysis tutorial shows you how to use this multitrack analysis feature.

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.

If you are looking for a stereo field analyzer specialized in single track analysis with audio to MIDI capabilities, check our Blue Cat's StereoScope Pro plug-in.

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, 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 details 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 Peak Meter Pro Tutorials to see how to use this capability within your favorite host.

For multiple tracks stereo analysis, you want to give a try to Blue Cat's StereoScope Multi plugin.

Blue Cat's Widening Liny EQ

Based on Blue Cat's Liny EQ technology, Blue Cat's Widening Liny EQ is a 9 bands linear phase Mid/Side equalizer. Thanks to Blue Cat's unique widening technology, you can manage equalization of Middle / Side parts of the stereo signal separately. And best of all, you can choose the virtual center of the signal: it lets you control where you want the equalization to take place in the stereo field.

This is the ultimate solution to widen your stereo image with precision, without adding phase artefacts to your signal: you can choose to enhance treble on the sides and bass on the middle to strengthen an original stereo recording, or completely modify the way your instrument is positioned in the mix, choosing to set the virtual middle 30% percent on the left and modify its spectrum accurately. The effect also works on mono signal since you can modify the perception of the stereo image by choosing the virtual center position.

Everything is possible, with minimal latency! The full automation support provided by this plugin offers a zipper-free real-time and continuous change of parameters. If you whish to use this plug-in as a simple equalizer, you can choose to link mid/side faders and get the same result as the standard Liny EQ. If you want a Left / Right equalizer, just set the center as Right and 'Mid' will become left and 'Side' Right.

Additional information about Mid/Side processing and stereo widening can be found in our M/S processing paper.

Blue Cat's Widening Parametr'EQ

Blue Cat's Widening Parametr'EQ is a 7 bands parametric Mid-Side equalizer based on Blue Cat's Parametr'EQ algorithms, enabling you to widen or narrow the frequencies of your choice.

This special 'widening' version offers two independent equalizers for the mid and side channels with instant frequency response display. But Blue Cat's Widening Parametr'EQ is much more than a standard mid/side equalizer, since it lets you choose the position of the virtual center for the Mid/Side matrix: you can really control where you want the equalization to take place in the stereo field. You can thus use this parametric mid/side equalizer for many purposes: from simple standard equalizing anywhere in the stereo field to advanced multi-band stereo widening or narrowing.

The new non linear behavior and the included M/S output brickwall limiter will also let you modify the dynamics response of this very special plugin.

For more information about the Parametr'EQ technology, please read Blue Cat's Parametr'EQ plugin's description.

Additional information about stereo widening with mid/side processing can be found in our M/S processing paper.