XPatch 4. Build32: AES New York 2023 Updates

Shows are one of the few occasions where I can spend time demonstrating and check software for 3 days in a row!

Whist at the AES I noticed a few bugs had crept into the software, no one has reported the bugs so hopefully so one has been waiting for this update,

I fixed bugs at the time and planned to release them once I was back in the UK. Unfortunately I had just recoverd from the Jet Lag when I had a request to visit NHK in Tokyo, thus the update was delayed by another two weeks.

XPatch4.5 With Alias Names

The alias feature is designed to make it easier to add names to your sources

When building the equipment list device names are descriptive, for example “F760x” tells me that is is an old Audio and design Compex compressor limiter expander, However the DAW names to not tell me much, for example Daw1, Daw2… What is needed is to know what is on the source, for example “Kick drum”.

You will find a new key on the equipment page, [Alias]

Click on [Alias] and a new page will open!

This page allows you to generate your own alias list, by editing the list and/or import them from one of the DAW project files. Currently Pro Tools .ptx, Pro Tools .pio, Reaper rpp and .txt files are supported. Send me example files an screen shots and I will add more.

The Aliases list is held on your computer with the settings but can be saved to and loaded from a .txt file

The source names list is saved in the current path store allowing you to use different aliases at different stages of your project. To build a new list use the [New] key or [Del All Alias].

To add single or multiple names highlight them in the Aliases table, then click on the source names table in the appropriate place.

The Alias will automatically be used as the path name, unless you assign your own name

The settings menu allows you to add the aliases to the Matrix and the pallet.

XPatch4.4 Build 15 Bug Fix and Extra Name

Name 2 Column on Equipment page

Whilst building a setup for a customer I discovered that when defining an insert it was useful to be able to define the source and destination with different names. We added a name 2 column to the equipment list to , facilitate this. Leave empty and the same name will be used for source and destination, enter a different name if you wish.

Bugs.

1) Incomplete exit bug was fixed in build 5

2) Two users reported a out of bounds error on start up after version 4.2, I could not replicate this, I visited a user with the problem and found a solution.

XPatch4.3 With Stream Deck, Grouping and Windows arm

Grouping has been added to version 4.3 of the XPatch software. You can define multiple groups, A group is defined by splitting the name at a space character. The first member of the group is always displayed to enable Expanding the Group!

Matrix Group

Available on both Source and Destination, Right Click on name to Enable/Disable grouping. The * after the name indicates that it is part of a group.

Matrix display before and after Grouping both Source and Destination

Path Group

Available on source only, Right Click on the path name to display the path select window, You can use the Group/Expand key to group the paths, the Isolate key is used to display any paths within the group.

Path Display before and after Grouping with Path 4 Isolated

To Remove all grouping use menu ‘View/Expand all Groups’ or F5

Stream Deck XL Now working correctly

I received my Stream Deck XL today, plugged it in and oops it did not work!

On investigation I discovered that the Image size is different 96x96 and not 72x72 I updated the XPatch4 software (Build 48) and it is now working correctly. It looks like I will purchase a Stream Deck Mk2 and test with that to be sure that all current versions are working correctly.

I do not have a Streamdeck Mark 2 to check, In version 50 I added a resolution selection menu as shown below, hopefully someone will let me know which if any works correctly on a Mk 2. I can then add the Mk 2 to the Auto selection. I think that older XL’s may have a different screen resolution to the latest version.

XPatch4.2 Build 41 10th March 2023

The first release would only find the same Stream Deck as I tested, 5x3 MK1 Version 2! This release finds any Elgato device connected, It will then display the PID (Product ID) and the Version number.

Stream deck Mk1 Version 2

I have ordered a new Stream Deck XL which will arrive next week, I will check the software with that and add a method of selecting between Elgato devices.

Older versions of the Stream Deck use a different protocol, it may not be possible to support both Old and New. Some use BMP and some use JPG images

If you are running the Elgato app then it will control the Stream Deck and not allow XPatch4.2 access. There are two solutions to this, 1) uninstall the Elgato app (500+Mbytes) the other is to disable or remove the app that loads the Elgato app on start up (I used CCleaner), you can then launch the Elgato app when you wish.

As part of my tests I updated the software in my Stream Deck, it still worked after the update (Once I stopped the Elgato app), however the version number changed to ‘0’?

I would appreciate any feedback on PID, Stream Deck key layout and Version so that I can provide support information.

XPatch4.2 Software 9th March 2023

Stream Deck interface added

Setup is simple, the XPatch software makes a ‘Native’ connection to the Stream Deck and does not connect via the Elgato Software.

  1. Disconnect Stream Deck from Elgato

  2. Connect your Stream Deck

  3. Run XPatch4.2

  4. Menu “Settings/Stream Deck/” and select between Off, 5x3 or 8x4.

  5. Once you have setup XPatch you can minimise the XPatch4 software and use the Stream Deck to select from the 12 path stores, enable/disable individual paths and enable/bypass paths.

Note. Xpatch firmware update not required for Stream Deck .