DSP Quattro Update

[bayswater]

From the site. To install, you have to delete the previous version.

24.08.2015 DSP-Quattro 4.3.1 is now available.
DSP-Quattro 4.3.1 is now available for the download. It is mainly a maintenance release, it offers a very much better DDP compatibility - mostly when importing DDPs, and several important bug fixes. Version 4.3 offers some new features and it is also faster thanks to a global code optimization. All DSP-Quattro users are highly recommended to get and use it, it is a free update, of course. The full version is, as usual, into the user area

[mikehalloran]

But not 64bit?

Thanks for the heads up.

[bayswater]

But not 64bit?

Thanks for the heads up.

It's a maintenance release. No problems so far running it here.

64 bit is slated for V5, which I assume will be a paid upgrade.

[bongo_x]

Has anyone used it yet? I’m kind of afraid.

[billf]

Has anyone used it yet? I’m kind of afraid.

I've been using it for a couple of weeks, and so far it's worked for me.

[mhschmieder]

I learned about it yesterday from a random post at GS as I recall, installed it, launched it to make sure it was authorized, and then went to bed.

Tonight, I began loading a gazillion plug-ins, and the only ones that are rejected are the old Eiosis ones due to an apparent incompatibility with the license key (not surprising as Fabrice Gabriel hasn't updated them in years, other than for Air Premium, which loads fine).

I loaded plug-ins that I know to still be 32-bit only, and other than the ones from Eiosis, all loaded fine.

I also loaded ones that I think are ONLY available as 64-bit plug-ins, and they too loaded fine. Is this because Cocoa is now supported, or is it more complicated than that?

Anyway, I don't care so much if the app itself is still 32-bits if it can host all of my mastering plug-ins, which so cars looks to be the case and was NOT true up until this update (just as with BIAS Peak).

I love iZotope RX4 Advanced, but it's one plug-in at a time with that app, which isn't good for recall as well as making gain staging cumbersome during the mastering phase.

This is a great update so far, and it looks like I'll be able to make DSP-Quattro my main mastering app for both audio and CD mastering at this point. I won't bother boning up on mastering in Logic or trying to get past my annoyances with Studio One's Project Mode now.

Does anyone know off-hand of a plug-in that is exclusively workable in 64-bit mode, to use as a final test of DSP-Quattro's viability as a full replacement for BIAS Peak Pro etc. at this point?

[bongo_x]

I don’t use anything in 64 bit mode, and rarely use plugins in DSP-Q, so I can’t really help with that.
I use it for layout and making DDP’s and just want to make sure it’s OK before opening any old projects and futzing up anyone’s album with it.

[bayswater]

Does anyone know off-hand of a plug-in that is exclusively workable in 64-bit mode, to use as a final test of DSP-Quattro's viability as a full replacement for BIAS Peak Pro etc. at this point?

Presumably you'd want to wait for DSP-Q Version 5 before trying that out. The current version is 32 bit, so is not likely to work with a plugin that is exclusively 64 bit.

[mhschmieder]

Hmm, I could have sworn Clariphonic v2 was 64-bit only, at the very least (and maybe PSP's plugs, none of which load anymore in BIAS Peak Pro).

What's the easiest way to tell if a plug is 64-bit only? I thought in most cases there were two copies of the plug (one for 64-bit and another for 32-bit) but that some are cross-compiled into one plug-in instance.

Oh, I just realized, the BIAS Peak Pro issue may be strictly related to lack of support for Cocoa?

I couldn't care less whether I'm running 32-bit or 64-bit, as long as it runs. Maybe the compatibility issues with these various tools had far more to do all along with Cocoa vs. Carbon than specifically 32-bit vs. 64-bit?

Yet I thought there was a certain OS upgrade (maybe Yosemite?) where 32-bit breaks forever?

[bayswater]

Hmm, I could have sworn Clariphonic v2 was 64-bit only, at the very least (and maybe PSP's plugs, none of which load anymore in BIAS Peak Pro).

What's the easiest way to tell if a plug is 64-bit only? I thought in most cases there were two copies of the plug (one for 64-bit and another for 32-bit) but that some are cross-compiled into one plug-in instance.

I haven't really looked that closely but I thought having both modes available in the one plugin was pretty common.

As for how to tell, I suppose it' circular -- you know because it only works in a 64 bit host?

[mhschmieder]

Ah, yes, but I don't have time to run through that test yet again. I sussed out my original list of 32-bit only plugs (posted here a few years ago and kept up to date for a couple of years thereafter) using VE Pro, and I think I did the same for 64-bit only plugs at the same time.

[bayswater]

Well you don't really have to. DSP-Q is 32 bit until version 5, so for now, the test would be pointless.

[mhschmieder]

Oh, OK. I guess there aren't many 64-bit-only plugs then.

I've already loaded all the ones I use most frequently during mastering, and am good to go...

[mhschmieder]

This is a quick update as I can't afford the CPU and memory hit of having the browser open while working.

So far, I am LOVING DSP-Quattro as my audio mastering app. I really like the tape-rewind and other unique features that I've never seen on other mastering apps, as it's a time-saver.

I am getting occasional crashes, which seem mostly related to Slate Digital plug-ins.

VTM won't load at all; I have tried many times and it ALWAYS crashes. It's my first-in-chain, so I'll need to apply VTM elsewhere and re-save my pre-masters. Not a big deal.

I haven't yet found a way to "drag" plug-ins from one slot to another, as in DP, so that kills a tiny bit of time. I always save my settings as presets so they are easily recovered if I need to move the slot, or if there's a crash -- even though each song will likely get its own settings.

There's supposed to be a way to save a global plug-in chain as well, but so far I'm not seeing it. I may not care though, as I only use three plug-ins at the mastering stage.

It's really great that each plug-in slot has its own balance knob and L/R gain control to avoid "overs" during stacked plug-in processing. I don't think even Peak had that capability?

I can't really complain about the crashes, because Stefano is a hard-working and supportive vendor who is transparent and open about everything and doesn't get defensive when issues are presented. I do this sort of thing for a living myself and appreciate how hard it is.

I'm just so thankful that we finally have a pro-level Mac-oriented mastering program that fully supports Cocoa-based plug-ins. I'm sure crashes will become less common once 64-bit support is added in the next major update.

[billf]

I haven't yet found a way to "drag" plug-ins from one slot to another, as in DP, so that kills a tiny bit of time.

One thing you can do is move them forward our backward by clicking on the little Cmds radio button on the side.