SWAM BRASS RELEASE NOTES

[November 5th, 2024]

NEW

– New Ambiente UI, consistent with Ambiente standalone plugin

– Improved buffers cleaning when disabling/enabling the plugin from the host

– Improved animations

– Ambiente: RAM optimization

– Added new Room presets

– Added oodi Default MIDI Preset

FIX

– Compatibility issues with macOS 15 Sequoia

– Studio One dump error on Windows

– Erroneous interaction between microtuning values and microtuning keyboard

– CC Hi-Res not behaving correctly when LSB message was received

– MPE profile: out of range CC, Channel Pressure and Pitch-Bend messages interfere with current playing note

– “Save” button not applying changes to preset on Windows

[July 1st, 2024]

NEW

• Introduced the new Ambiente Room Simulator
  • The Ambiente Room Simulator is a high-level mathematical simulator designed to recreate early reflections based on the spatial arrangement of instruments, providing superior reverberation compared to previous SWAM versions.
  • This feature enables seamless intercommunication between all SWAM instruments, allowing each instrument to manage the environment by being aware of other instances and synchronizing accordingly.
  • It includes three different rooms with 18 unique combinations of size and absorption materials for instrument placement.
  • The legacy reverb mode is available for backward compatibility.
• Enhanced Accessibility Features
  • Added keyboard shortcuts for easier navigation.
  • Improved compatibility with voice-over and screen reader tools for a more inclusive user experience.
• Added Support for NKS VST3
• Sound Improvements
  • Enhanced high dynamic sound quality.
• UI and UX Improvements
  • Improved preset management, with saving and resetting now handled through Templates. This term replaces Quick Reset and Preset for applying settings unrelated to the sound engine (e.g., MIDI mapping, Micro tuning, Room).
  • New Search View for Quicker Parameter Navigation and Big Picture of all parameters.
  • Added new service pop-ups to guide users through troubleshooting and applying the correct setup.

• Revised and Expanded Manuals
  • Manuals have been thoroughly reviewed, improved, and expanded to provide more comprehensive guidance and support.

[April 11th, 2024]

NEW

– Sound improvements (reduced dispersion behavior)

– Yamaha XG arranger protocol: new device ID

– Added Yamaha YDS-120 Default MIDI Preset

– Added Jamstik Default MIDI Preset

– Added Exquis Default MIDI Preset

– Updated LinnStrument MIDI Preset to align with the new LinnStrument Firmware v2.3.3; Preset renamed to “LinnStrument MPE”

FIX

– Logic Pro for iPad: crash when read multiple automations for same parameter

– Main Volume parameter was not smoothed (crackle noise when controlling the parameter, especially via MIDI)

[July 11th, 2023]

NEW

-Moved [“Expression received” check at startup] option to Audio Modeling Software Center app. This option is now global for all SWAM instruments (desktop version only)

FIX

– Reverb mix doesn’t work for mono instances

– Audio Units plugin formats: plugin state doesn’t restore correctly

[June 20th, 2023]

FIX

– Font corruption generates performance and instability issues (macOS only)

– Preset export: replacing existing file potentially creates corrupted preset

– Ableton Live: plugin doesn’t receive pitch bend data if “Enable MPE Mode”is enabled

– Native FileChooser could not be closed when hosted in Cantabile or Reason Studio (Windows only)

– Cross-Platform plugin state: save from iPadOS and restore on macOS doesn’t restore state

– Transpose not working properly with Microtuning

[April 11th, 2023]

NEW

– Added search bar for preset lists

– Added latency compensation

– Rearranged MIDI Preset list

– Micro Tuning control by KeySwitches

– Apple Silicon supported natively for AAX plugins

– VST3 on Windows: VST3 plugin is organized as a bundle (NOTE: In previous SDKs, the VST3 plugin was defined as a single dll file with the .vst3 extension. This is deprecated since VST 3.6.10.)

– Note out of range warning

FIX

– Cubase: user preset not restored

– Logic Pro: parameter automation not recorded in “TOUCH” mode

– SysEx messages: plugins receive F0 twice

– Microtuning – Yamaha XG SysEx protocol: note out of range wrong behavior

– Fixed Cavit Scale Ultimate SysEx protocol

[December 20th, 2022]

NEW

– SWAM is now available on iPhone!

– SWAM SysEx Protocol for Transpose and Micro Tune

– Added “Cavit Scale Ultimate” support

– Added ARTinoise Re.corder default MIDI preset

– Added Robkoo R1 default MIDI preset

– Renamed “Control Surface Default” MIDI preset to “SWAM On-Screen Keyboard”

– Renamed “Travel Sax Default” MIDI preset to “Travel Sax 2 Default”

FIX

– Fixed crash when renaming preset on iOS 16

– Fixed reload of Current Program (in some DAWs plugin startup with default preset instead of saved one)

– Fixed expression check option at startup (only for Desktop)

[October 28th, 2022]

NEW

– Check if mapping is already used for other parameters

– NKS presets page: added KS Octave parameter

– Added escape key and return key shortcut to close / confirm

FIX

– Removed Bluetooth connection for Windows causing MIDI port issues

– Increased a bit the performance speed response (especially for wind controllers players)

– Keep settings after instruments updating

– Fixed Audio Units validation crashes with old version of AU Validation Tool  v1.6.1a1 (affects older Logic Pro versions)

– Fall Down and Doit – solved issue: if portamento time was 0, fall down was always fast

– MIDI Presets – Travel Sax Default: removed CC 7 from Main Volume, since CC 7 is assigned to Expression

– Improved CPU performance

– Accessibility – Screen Reader: fixed Key Switch octave label

[July 14th, 2022]

NEW

– OpenGL Render option is shared across all SWAM Apps / plugins (option is available on the Software Center)

– Added “DigiBrass Default” MIDI Mapping Preset

– Added “update preset library” button

FIX

– Fixed “glissando” issue at first note on

– Fixed Bluetooth connection (only for Desktop)

– Fixed crash caused by VU meters refresh (only for Windows)

– Accessibility: improved navigation

– Improved stability when WiFi is turned off

– Fixed “MIDI Controller Mapping” label (Only for iPad 12.9”)

[March 17th, 2022]

NEW

– New installation and authorization management through our brand new “Audio Modeling Software Center” desktop application

– Version number consistent to all SWAM products of the same generation

– Sound engine improvements

– UI fine tuning to improve visibility, readability and UX consistency (Virtual Keyboard and Arrow Buttons colors, flat dynamic envelope color )

– New application launch icons

– Added a color status to the main view buttons

– Added “red alert” warning on Expression slider in main view

– Moved the position of Reset and Panic buttons from the keyboard to the “preset display area” on the top header

– Reduced size of the main view monitor sliders

FIX

improved CPU usage

– fixed piccolo trumpet desktop icon

– fixed minor issues (including random crash with Camelot)

[December 15th, 2021]

NEW

– Apple Silicon support (except for AAX plugin format)

– Added Note Off Velocity parameter: ON – get legato retrigger velocity from note off velocity (if supported), OFF – fixed velocity

– New desktop icons

– Improved MIDI Controller Mapping header and icons

– Doit and fall down triggered params (also mappable via MIDI)

FIX

– Improved Breath Controller mode

– Fixed undo/redo list (e.g. Ableton Live)

– Wind controllers: prevent stuck notes under some circumstances

– Portamento time for Classic presets

– Roland Aerophone Preset: linear remapping curve

– EMEO Default preset: pitch bend +/- 2

– Updated Windows digital signature

– Fixed some AUv3 view issues (iPad)

[June 2021]

NEW
– accessibility support (work in progress, only for Desktop versions)

FIX
– fixed MIDI note recording from virtual keyboards (iPad)
– enabled attack tongue parameter for attack control: expression
– Improved panic behavior

Note: from this release minimum macOS version is 10.10 (Yosemite)

[April 28th, 2021]

FIX
– Plugin state not restored in Cubase, Vienna, FL Studio, Ableton, Bitwig (only for VST2.4 plugin format)
– MAQAM Note and Root transpose modes

[April 28th, 2021]

NEW
– added new factory presets
– added “Release Wind Controller Mode” parameter
– improved playability and reactivity for Wind Controllers
– improved MIDI input selection view, especially with several ports listed
– improved Trumpet C and Piccolo Trumpet sound presets
– added Instrument and MIDI tabs in advanced group
– exit from main GUI mapping mode after 50 seconds, prevent exiting from mapping mode on internal pages and Controller Mapping page
– restyle of internal pages: better look & feel for tabbed pages
– AUv3 plug-ins viewport improvements

FIX
– fixed corrupted first note-on at startup or after All Notes Off or Panic()
– fixed some skipped note-on when Breath Controller mode is ON
– note stop playing when opening main GUI (iPad)
– MAQAM: fixed micro tuning status
– MAQAM: Note and Root transpose modes
– Panic: set also Sustain to OFF
– Control Surface: save X/Y parameters status (iPad)
– fixed Keyboard ModWheel + AT MIDI preset

[April 16th, 2021]

NEW
– new installer icons
– Windows Installers: new default paths for plug-ins (VST2 plug-ins: “C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins” – VST3 plug-ins: “C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3”)
– added new factory presets
– added “Release Wind Controller Mode” parameter
– improved playability and reactivity for Wind Controllers
– improved MIDI input selection view, especially with several ports listed
– improved Trumpet C and Piccolo Trumpet sound presets
– added Instrument and MIDI tabs in advanced group
– added OpenGL render option in settings page. Possibility to switch GUI render mode between GPU and CPU (Desktop only)
– exit from main GUI mapping mode after 50 seconds, prevent exiting from mapping mode on internal pages and Controller Mapping page
– restyle of internal pages: better look & feel for tabbed pages
– AUv3 plug-ins viewport improvements (iPad)

FIX
– installers: fixed a typo
– fixed corrupted first note-on at startup or after All Notes Off or Panic()
– fixed some skipped note-on when Breath Controller mode is ON
– note stop playing when opening main GUI (iPad)
– MAQAM: fixed micro tuning status
– fixed and updated NKS parameters
– Panic: set also Sustain to OFF
– Control Surface: save X/Y parameters status (iPad)
– fixed Keyboard ModWheel + AT MIDI preset

KNOWN ISSUES
-Ableton Live: automated parameters also assigned to a MIDI CC are added to Ableton’s Undo list. This behavior does not happen with other DAWs

[February 4th, 2021]

NEW:

– Dedicated Sidebar Menu for Navigation
– General User Experience (UX) improvements and restyling
– Parameter Groups Locking: it’s possible to “freeze” a set of parameter values when selecting different presets
– Improved Preset management
– Improved “Reset” experience. New Sound Engine, MIDI Mappings, and Micro Tuning – presets ready to use
– Virtual MIDI Output port for Standalone Application (macOS)
– VU-meters
– Timbral Shaping
– Added Microtuning factory presets
– Added MAQAM support for Microtuning control via MIDI
– Added MIDI Mapping factory presets, especially for Wind Controllers
– Added Root and Steps on Microtuning control surface
– Transpose and Microtuning control by SysEx
– Improved Early Reflection algorithm
– Interactive Slide/Valves and Mute Control
– “Force Hold Compatible Pipe” and “Pipe Selection” key switches
– Improved Hand Mute behavior, especially for French Horns
– Sound behavior improvements
– Extended range for some Trumpet, Trumpet C and Piccolo Trumpet
– Improved license and authorization check
– Added “Options” for handle scroll wheel for horizontal sliders and screen lock
– Improved MIDI Mapping management, especially to speed up “MIDI Learning” workflow
– Added “bipolar” mode in MIDI remapping curve

FIX
– Windows installer: automatic uninstallation of the previous installation
– Dynamic Envelope not working when Pipe Selection is set to Manual
– Erroneous fast slide on the very first note
– Sustain off stops held notes

KNOWN ISSUES
-Ableton Live: automated parameters also assigned to a MIDI CC are added to Ableton’s Undo list. This behavior does not happen with other DAWs

[August 12th, 2020]

NEW:

– Improved attacks for Trombones and lower instruments

– Faster transitions for legato articulations

– Increased resolution for Pitch Bend Up/Down parameters (from 1 to 0.5)

– Expression can be controlled by Channel Pressure on MIDI channel 1 for MPE profile  

FIX:

– Unpredictable behaviour for Sample Rate greater than 64 kHz

– Unpredictable behaviour for Pitch Bend Up = 0

– Ableton Live: removed undo history for Valves and Slide parameters

– Windows: update from v1.x to v1.5 can cause crash or unpredictable behaviour for some DAWs

KNOWN ISSUES:

– Window resizing for plugins: on some hosts and DAWs, it’s required to close and reopen the plugin window to apply the new size

– Ableton Live: every time a parameter mapped on any CC number is modified with an automation, the action is added to Ableton’s Undo list.  This behaviour does not happen with other DAWs

– Dynamic Envelope not working when Pipe Selection is set to Manual

[July 15th, 2020]

NEW

– General timbre and sound behavior improvement
– Better tuning, especially for lower instruments
– Additional factory presets
– Improved Symphonic preset for French Horns
– NKS presets and samples
– Handy main menu popup
– New “resize” popup window
– New header for External Controller Mapping
– Added instrument name and version info in main view
– “Reset All Controller” MIDI message is now supported
– Added virtual MIDI input port for Standalone App (macOS and iOS)
– Added “Breath Ctrl Hi-Res Threshold”
– Added Velocity to MIDI mapping entries
– MIDI remapping curve: added real-time monitor of current value
– Improved preset management
– Improved display messages: Half Valve
– Improved Breath Controller Mode: lower threshold for note-on
– Improved MPE profile compatibility
– Improved UX and graphic components
– Reduced required disk space (installer of each product is now 80 MB)
– Extended macOS compatibility: now it is from 10.9 (Mavericks) to 10.15 (Catalina)
– Improved CPU performance

FIXES

– Pitch detuned when using Growl with Expression = 0
– MPE MIDI profile: pitch-bend not working after a retriggered note
– Active Output Channels cannot be selected for Standalone App
– Microtuning: erratic values
– Vibrato Fade-In values are not in milliseconds
– Velocity of retriggered notes and notes generated by Breath Controller Mode is not displayed correctly
– Hi-Resolution CC not working as expected
– Expression does not “unlock” the instrument when Expression is mapped to NRPN
– Any change to each parameter is registered by undo manager
– MIDI remapping curve knobs and presets in portrait mode not displayed correctly
– Small graphical issues, especially in portrait mode
– Selection of previous/next preset with the same preset name stuck on the first found
– Import of presets with the same name not working as expected