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Transient click on effect plugin

#1

Hi,

Just testing an effect routing plugin I’m making. I’ve constructed it using an internally generated vco2 saw wave for playback, and all works smoothly without clicks.

When I’ve taken out vco2 and replaced it with external inputs (aL, aR ins) and tested in a DAW with a couple of different soft synths, I’m suddenly getting very loud transient clicks that aren’t there when using an internally generated sound source.

I’ve exported the version with the internal oscillator and played around in DAW – no clicks.

The click appears whenever a midi note is released (no matter what the setting on amplitude envelopes is).

Is this a regular phenomena for effects plugins? – does it suggest some kind of smoothing is needed on the inputs themselves?

Any insight would be appreciated before I go on a click hunting journey.

#2

The click being on MIDI note release is a big clue. What happens inside the plug-in to audio when the key is released? Do you immediately gate the sound or do you allow for the audio o have a release envelope?

#3

So I’ve tried to put an envelope on the inputs to smooth any rapid drop to 0 from the DAW/external audio, and nothing has worked yet, It’s driving me nuts. FXROUTINGTESTINPUTS.csd (16.5 KB) FXROUTINGTESTwSYNTH.csd (18.1 KB)

#4

I exported [FXROUTINGTESTINPUTS.csd] for use in Logic as a plugin. Using audio from my Moog as audio input, I don’t hear any strange clicks or pops.

Using a software-based synth, I got distortion. But once I turned down the Dry, Serial, and Parallel in the Mix section things seemed OK.

Long story short: I think that you have some gain staging issues.

#5

Appreciate you taking a look Bryan. Reassuring to know the issue isn’t happening when you run it in logic. I’ve tried a number of different soft synths with it now and it’s still persisting in Reaper. Interestingly, I don’t get the distortion issue.