FXpansion VST->AU version of Orange Vocoder ok in Logic 7?

[mitkroy]

I just wanted to check that the FXpansion wrapped VST/AU version of Orange Vocoder works ok in Logic 7.2.3 as the AU demo only appears to work in Logic 8. In Logic 7 I get no sound. Prosoniq advise me they are no longer supporting Orange Vocoder in Logic 7, but are happy to supply me with the VST version if I buy the current AU version.

Also, what are the differences between the VST and AU version? (I do have Logic 8 but mainly use Logic 7).

Thanks.

MacOS 10.4.11
G5 PPC 2.3 dual

[neuronaut]

I don't have Logic 7 so I can't answer your original question (Denis might know though, he's really into Logic).

The AU version is really a complete redesign with additional algorithms (including those from the "original" OrangeVocoder). That's why the AU version is actually version 3.x while the VST version is still 2.x. Prosoniq has announced updates to their VST and RTAS versions which are said to become available by the end of 2009.

OrangeVocoder AU works perfectly in Logic 8 and 9 and it's easier to use, too, because (if memory serves me) Logic 7 doesn't have a sidechain.

I'm curious - is there any particular reason for not upgrading to Logic 8 or 9?

Hope this helps!
+Stephan

[mobilegazer]

Hmm, sorry, I haven't touched Logic 7 in ages and it's not installed on any of my machines any longer.

[mitkroy]

Did it work ok?

[mobilegazer]

There was *some* version of OV that worked, definitely, but wether that was 2.x (VST wrapped) or AU (OV10AE, earlier version) but I honestly can't remember any details.

[mitkroy]

Ok, that's helpful - thanks. At least I know there is a version that works..

[neuronaut]

Well, if it doesn't work and you're willing to go through a couple of iterations to find out why it isn't working I'm sure we can fix that. Problem is that since I don't have access to Logic 7 I have no way to test our products against it, and it's not included in our regular QA either (too old). So I depend on others to report any problems with it in as much detail as possible so I can fix them...

Cheers
+Stephan

[mitkroy]

Hey Stephan, sorry I haven't been around for a few days, but I just got the AU update with Logic 7 compatibility. This is great to have the 10th AE working in L7, but there are still a couple of hitches. Firstly, it still doesn't work as an insert, only as a MIDI controlled FX (L7 does have a side chain, by the way). As an insert the output is silent (as it was before). Secondly, and this is quite serious - I get these audio explosions, I mean real speaker ripping noises that happen every now and then and I have to restart the vocoder instance to clear it. I'm a bit worried about damage to my monitors.. These explosions actually happen in L8 as well.

I'd be very happy to do some tests for you.

BTW - I don't use L8 much because on my system - PPC/G5 dual 2.3/10.4.11 - text writing in L8 is really slow, as are some other functions. Plus I'm really up to speed with L7. I don't want to upgrade to Leopard because I run too many apps and plug-ins and haven't got the time to run around hunting for updates, nor do i want to risk anything at this stage as I'm in the middle of a major project - 'if it ain't broke don't fix it!'

Love the Orange Vocoder. Hope we can solve the silent insert problem + explosions.

[neuronaut]

Hi, thanks for the report!

This doesn't seem to occur on our systems. Do you only get it with OV 3.3? We use Logic 7.0.1 (on Intel and PPC) and OV appears to work perfectly - no explosions here. Are they connected to anything you're doing? Parameter changes? Routing changes? Do you use the internal synth or an external carrier when you get them? Do they happen occasionally, regularly, after a certain time? Only with a specific vocoder sound mode? A specific preset? Project sample rate? We never heard of this problem before and OV 3.3 would never have made it through QA if the problem had occurred during our tests.

Wrt. inserts: I can insert OV on an audio track with no problems - not sure what you're referring to when you say "it still doesn't work as an insert, only as a MIDI controlled FX". Could you describe this in better detail? Here's a screenshot of how I insert the vocoder on a L7 track:



The fact that you don't get any sound at first is that there are no keys selected on the keyboard when you load up OV. Just choose the default preset and you should get an output.

HTH
+Stephan

[mitkroy]

OK, the insert is working now. I re-installed the plug-in. (There was some weirdness when I originally updated to 3.3. I ran the uninstaller first, which perhaps i shouldn't have done, and it sort of didn't then did remove the plug-in..).

I'll report back as to whether the explosions have gone as well (which may well be the case as the re-installation has fixed the insert problem).

Thank you for your prompt support, Stephan.

[neuronaut]

Sounds good, thank you. Let me know if you have any problems with 3.3, I'd be happy to solve any bugs that might crop up a.s.a.p.

Thanks again
+Stephan

[mitkroy]

Damn - I got a big explosion again, and now the insert has gone silent again. Downloaded the plug-in installer. Re-installed the plug-in. Still silent!

What to do?

Perhaps this is because I have Tiger, not Leopard.

I presume you are on 10.5, Stephan. Is that right?

[neuronaut]

Personally I'm on Intel 10.5.8 here, yes. We're testing against 10.4.11 and 10.5.8 but I doubt that it has to do with the system version. Could you anwer these questions for me please so we can track this problem down:

Do you only get explosions with OV v3.3 or with previous versions as well?
Are they connected to anything you're doing at the time they occur?
Are they dependent on any parameter changes (which ones)?
Are they dependent on any routing changes?
Do you use the internal synth or an external carrier when you get them?
Do they happen occasionally, regularly, after a certain time?
...only with a specific vocoder sound mode?
..a specific preset?
What is your project sample rate?

Thanks! I really appreciate it.
+Stephan

[mitkroy]

Do you only get explosions with OV v3.3 or with previous versions as well?
I had them in Logic 8 with the previous version as well, but the insert always worked.

Are they connected to anything you're doing at the time they occur?
Starting/stopping Logic mostly. But also the sound would suddenly start and continue.

Are they dependent on any parameter changes (which ones)?
No

Are they dependent on any routing changes?
No

Do you use the internal synth or an external carrier when you get them?
Internal synth.

Do they happen occasionally, regularly, after a certain time?
After a certain time - perhaps 5 minutes, or even less.

...only with a specific vocoder sound mode?
I'm not sure, but the mode they were happening with was the 3rd.. (forget the full name).

..a specific preset?
Yes, it was one of my own presets using the 3rd.. mode. That was the only preset I've been using (and modifying) recently.

What is your project sample rate?
44.1

If it's any help I made a recording of the last instance of this happening - just an mp3 recorder pointed at the speaker. I can email you a copy of this explaining what I was doing.

[neuronaut]

Yes that would be most helpful - thank you! You can email me at s.bernsee [at] prosoniq [dot] com.

Just FYI I was just working for 2 hours in Logic 7 on a dual PPC G5 with no problems (MacOS X 10.5.5, my own 10.4.11 hard drive died on me a few days ago and I am not at the Prosoniq office right now), so I guess it must somehow be connected to 10.4.11. What hardware do you use for playback and what buffer sizes? Could you check if these "explosions" also occur when you use the built-in audio outs?

Again, thank you so much!
+Stephan