Plug-in enhancements

Improvements to plug-in state loading and presets

Saving and loading plug-in states and presets has been streamlined and greatly improved and simplified to prevent unexpected interactions with some 3rd party plug-ins. By preventing redundant plug-in parameter updates, plug-ins and synths now load faster when opening project files.

Support for VST3 Program Changes

Cakewalk now supports changing programs for VST3 plug-ins via a new Program change parameter. There is now a Preset value at the end of the automation parameter list that will change plug-in preset values for plug-ins that support it. NOTE: This Preset parameter is only displayed for plug-ins that expose VST3 program changes to the host. (It may not always be named “Preset”).

Waves plug-ins support the new program change parameter.

The new Preset parameter can be automated via envelopes.

For supported VST3 plug-ins, program changes can be done during playback via MIDI messages. To do that you must enable Translate Program Changes in the plug-in properties first and then restart the app.

For some plug-ins, program changes can be expensive. Don’t use sweeps to automate the program change parameter. Instead use jump events or linear sections.

Overhaul of plug-in time sync in engine

There has been an overhaul of the engine to improve and optimize time sync with plug-ins. The changes improve the accuracy of time synchronization while seeking on the timeline during playback and while looping. We also addressed known problems with time sync with Melodyne and other time dependent plug-ins that have an internal timeline.

Support for VST2 plug-ins without binary block persistence

There are a few VST2 plug-ins that do not support binary block persistence. E.g. VCV Rack. Cakewalk now properly restores parameters for such plug-ins when loading projects.

Optimizations

The overhaul of plug-in time sync in the engine improved the efficiency when playing back or looping projects with lots of plug-ins, by eliminating many unnecessary and costly time unrolling conversions. This should yield moderate CPU gains while playing or looping projects at low latency with lots of plug-ins, since the plug-in time conversions are now optimized.

By preventing redundant plug-in parameter updates, plug-ins and synths now load faster when opening project files.

Faster loading of project files containing many plug-ins and synths.

Switching plug-in presets are now faster since there are fewer parameter updates.

 

See:

File - VST Settings

Using the Plug-in Browser

Adding effects and instruments to a project

To insert an effect in a track or bus

New features