Blue Cat Audio Patchwork
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Manufacturer Information
Blue Cat Audio
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What is Blue Cat PatchWork for?
Blue Cat PatchWork is a universal plug-in host (virtual patchbay) designed to centralize your audio processing and virtual instruments into a single module. It inserts as an effect or instrument in your digital audio workstation and allows you to build complex chains, recall them instantly, and share them across different environments-even if you change plug-in formats.
It is the ideal tool to optimize a mix, structure sound design, stack creative processing, manage multi-instrument setups, or secure a consistent workflow across multiple DAWs. Whether in the studio or live, PatchWork becomes a unique, clean, and fast-to-control "rack."
Main Features
A flexible plug-in rack: series, parallel, and routing matrix
PatchWork can host up to 64 plug-ins (VST, VST3, Audio Unit, or built-in effects) within a single instance. You can chain effects in series or build up to 8 parallel chains independently activatable, with gain, solo, and phase inversion controls to maintain signal control in any situation.
Routing is cable-free: you configure audio flow by adding or removing rows and columns in the matrix. The result: advanced setups (creative multiband, instrument layers, parallel processing) without complicating the session with multiple buses.
Presets, instant recall, and portability between DAWs
Save your effect or instrument configurations as presets and recall them with one click. Chains can be reused from session to session and shared between different production environments, facilitating a consistent workflow in composition, mixing, or mastering.
Each slot benefits from essential tools: individual bypass, preset management, audio input/output selection, and integrated undo/redo. PatchWork also remembers plug-in window positions to restore your layout when opening the project or loading a preset.
Advanced control: Macros, automation, and MIDI routing
Automate hosted plug-in parameters via PatchWork's mapping capabilities: group key controls (filter, drive, compressor threshold, reverb mix, etc.) on Macros for clear and efficient control. Controls can be assigned to a control surface, DAW automation, or MIDI (MIDI Learn).
The plug-in also provides virtual MIDI ports to enable communication between sub-plug-ins or with the host. Depending on the setup, it becomes possible to manage scenarios like stacked instruments, MIDI effects, or hybrid audio/MIDI routings within a single instance.
Monitoring, performance, and standalone usage
PatchWork provides input and output vu-meters to monitor the signal sent to plug-ins, including via side chain and auxiliary channels. Processing automatically stops during silence to optimize CPU usage, and a usage indicator is available. It works at any sample rate.
The software also exists as a standalone application, convenient for using your chains outside a DAW. It can handle up to 16 audio channels and, depending on the publisher (version 2.75), allows WAV output recording up to 16 channels, with transport position metadata (BWF format) to facilitate resynchronization in a session.
Technical specifications
| Type | Full software |
| Downloadable | Yes |
| Mac | Mac OS X 10.9 or later |
| Mac Processor | Intel or Apple Silicon |
| Audio Interface (standalone) | Core Audio compatible |
| Windows | Windows Vista, 7, 8, or 10 |
| Windows Processor | SSE2 required (Pentium 4 or newer) |
| Sample Rates | all supported |
| Hosted plug-ins | VST-2, VST-3, Audio Unit |
| Distribution formats (Mac) | VST-2, VST-3, AU, AAX |
| Distribution formats (Windows) | VST-2, VST-3, AAX |
| Modes | plug-in (effect or virtual instrument) and standalone application |
| Compatibility | supports VST Shell |
| Capacity | up to 64 third-party or built-in plug-ins in one instance |
| Chaining | series and parallel |
| Parallel | up to 8 chains, with phase flip, solo, and gain |
| Chaining slots | up to 8 "pre" slots and 8 "post" slots |
| Multicore | multicore processing support for parallel chains |
| Instruments | up to 8 virtual instruments in parallel, mixed within the plug-in |
| Global Dry/Wet | "Mix" control |
| Audio routing | flexible I/O connections to any audio channel |
| Channels | up to 16 audio channels (in plug-in and/or standalone depending on configuration) |
| Side chain / multi-outputs | supports external side chain and multiple outputs |
| Latency compensation | integrated |
| Gains | linked "pre" and "post" gains for automatic compensation |
| Quick editing | drag-and-drop, cut/copy/paste plug-ins with their settings |
| Presets | recall and share complex configurations between DAWs |
| Monitoring | input/output levels, CPU indicator |
| Automation | control of sub-plug-ins via parameter mapping |
| Macros | Macro controls and control styles (knob or switch, depending on publisher) |
| Neutral value | default/neutral value setting for Macros (depending on publisher) |
| MIDI Learn | yes |
| MIDI Routing | virtual MIDI ports for interconnection between sub-plug-ins and DAW |
| Extended MIDI controls (depending on publisher) | notes, pitch bend, NRPN, 14-bit CC, aftertouch, channel pressure, in addition to CC |
| Bypass and UI controllable (depending on publisher) | individual bypass and interface display controllable via automation, MIDI, or Macros |
Questions frequently asked
Is Blue Cat Audio PatchWork compatible with Mac and Windows?
The Mac version runs on Mac OS X 10.9 or later, on Intel and Apple Silicon processors. On Windows, Vista, 7, 8, and 10 systems are supported with an SSE2 processor.
How many plug-ins can be loaded in one instance?
An instance can host up to 64 third-party plug-ins or built-in effects. The rack supports VST2, VST3, and Audio Unit formats, with up to 8 parallel chains featuring gain, solo, and phase inversion controls.
Can multiple virtual instruments be stacked?
Up to 8 virtual instruments can be loaded in parallel and mixed within a single instance.
Are macros and MIDI available?
Sub-plug-in parameters can be assigned to Macros via internal mapping. MIDI Learn allows assignment to a control surface or MIDI messages. Virtual MIDI ports ensure routing between sub-plug-ins and the DAW.
Does the standalone mode allow recording?
In standalone mode, output can be recorded in WAV format on up to 16 channels. The files can include BWF transport position information to facilitate resynchronization in a session.
