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As you build a patch you are working with processed sounds, so you can hear the effects of the process chain at any stage. Files can be saved permanently at any point and any process can be edited or replaced with another suitable function.

At all stages, Soundshaper Pro seamlessly creates and erases temporary files, so that you do not have to do any unnecessary house-keeping. Just load your sources and save the outputs you want to keep.

With Multi-patches, you can build templates for use with standard CDP process chains, saving time and recording your favourite procedures. For example, the simple minipatch  Source-->PvocAnalyse-->Getpitch-->Make  extracts pitch from a spectral analysis and then 'Make' combines this with formants extracted from a second sound.  By running the patch with different source sounds and choosing different formant files, you can quickly try different possibilities.

CDP works in non-realtime. Although realtime processing allows you to hear changes instantly and superimpose a chain of processes, you always have to run the processes through to the end in realtime. With Soundshaper patches, you can often process a patch faster than in realtime. More fundamentally, many CDP processes simply could not be run in realtime, because they are dealing with information that is ahead in the file: a simple example is BLUR which averages the information across successive time-windows in the spectral domain.

The first version of Pro has a single patch row of up to 10 processes. But this is just the beginning: there is provision for up to five rows and later versions will run several lines of processing quasi-simultaneously. It will be possible send an output to a new line of processing or mix outputs together, without creating a spaghetti of graphic patch-cords. A multi-process will run with many different source files, or  send the same source to variant process chains.

Sequences 
Soundshaper Pro also brings MIDI support for CDP Sequences. The "Sequence2" function is virtually a software sampler, playing any number of sources at any pitch, time and level. Its data format is close to MIDI, but it's not MIDI. Soundshaper Pro allows you to convert a standard MIDI file (SMF) into the Sequence2 format and realise it in audio using any suitable source sounds. 

Preset Patches
The final production version of Soundshaper Pro is expected to ship with a comprehensive selection of preset patches to get you started with multi-processing. Soundshaper Pro carries on the line of development established by Soundshaper Standard and works with the best of CDP to bring you an exciting and challenging new environment for sound design.  SOUNDSHAPER PRO is the natural choice for educational institutions, professional composers and sound designers.

SOUNDSHAPER PRO has all the features of Soundshaper Standard (1.8) plus:

Multi-patches: multiple-process patch editing, storage and recall.
Run multi-patches with different sound sources.
Replace individual patch cells with different compatible processes or parameters.
• New presets for individual processes and patches (not in Beta version).
• MIDI to CDP-Sequence convertor: turns CDP into a sample-player.
• New presets for individual processes and patches (in development)
  

Download Soundshaper from the Downloads Page , then follow the instructions for installation and registration. Registration involves a simple exchange of e-mails: once your purchase has been verified, we will send you a Validation Code to complete the registration.  A single-user license entitles you to install Soundshaper Pro on two machines; multi-user site-licenses are also available. 

Soundshaper Pro is available as a registered product only, with product support by e-mail. All users of Soundshaper Pro are welcome to submit problems, queries and ideas for further improvement by e-mail (see Contacts Page).

From January 2008, Soundshaper Standard is FREEWARE. However, it doesn't work without the CDP software, which you can purchase in various packages from the Composers' Desktop Project.

• Re-designed MAIN page, to match Soundshaper Pro (but without the patchgrid).
• Re-designed parameter pages, to match Soundshaper Pro.
• Re-designed MIX page, matching Soundshaper Pro.
• MIX-file functions moved to MIX page.
• Soundfile Pool restrictions removed: no upper limit to number of files.
• Support for 32-bit floating-point internal processing.
• Support for CDP's 24-bit player Play24x.

Quick save /recall of individual presets (parameter sets) using textfiles (.prm).
• New SAVE TO button on MAIN page for easier saving of processed files - just one click more than in 1.6.
• New speed button for opening formant files.
• Menu Hints: quick Hint for each process as you pass mouse over menus. (Can be deselected.)
• CDP process names displayed on Main Page, with link to CDP Help.
• Auto-save Preset Datafiles: easy saving of datafiles with your presets.
• Support for DSHIFT (Doppler-Shift) function.
• New Menu XTRA for "experimental" CDP processes.
• Grid process-selectors upgraded for new CDP5 functions.
• History function revised to allow easier construction of multi-process batchfiles.
• Revised hotkey shortcuts and improvements to Process Menus
  

Support for latest CDP Release 5.01: up to 40 new CDP processes and support functions.
• Process chain of up to 10 processes, with support for multiple UNDOs.
• Use of temporary files, like conventional sound-editors: no need to constantly name and delete unwanted files - save files only when you want to keep them. 
• Automatic FFT conversion between time and spectral domains and back.
• Redesigned MIX page.
• Redesigned Markers facility with support for many editing and info functions.
• Links to user's choice of Sound-Editor as standard.

Improved MARKERS mechanism for selected playing/editing: up to 30 locators and support for AUDACITY.
• Improved PLAY transport and option to Auto-play files on selection/creation.
• Soundfile POOL - Create / Save / Load your own selections of commonly used source files.
• Full support for .aif files and other file formats.
• Hide optional parameters.
• Revised parameter ranges, with special provision for spectral and pitch commands.
• Revised Main Menu.
• Pop-up Menus for faster selection.
• New improved Process Grids.
• OPEN FILE and DELETE FILE speed buttons.
• New shortcut keys for reselecting last file and process, and accessing further parameters, HELP & file information.
• Improved PVOC page, with spectral information
• Improved PARAMETER PAGES: shortcut keys to select parameters; new label shows current parameter.
• Revised DATA EDITOR page - transform data in over 100 different ways. New HTML documentation.
• Revised Soundshaper HELP documentation with overview of Soundshaper and most CDP functions.