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Version 1.7.0

Soundshed Guitar 1.7.0 focuses on making your rig quieter, faster, and easier to use. It brings a new Noise Reduction effect, automatic Noise Gate setup, a faster NAM engine, latency-free IR processing. Windows and Linux users can now choose x64 or ARM64 builds, with additional CPU compatibility options on Windows.

Highlights​

  • Pickup-aware Noise Reduction removes hum, buzz, and hiss without gating your playing.
  • Noise Gate Learn listens to your rig and sets its threshold for you.
  • Lower CPU use for NAM amps, cabinets, and reverbs, with no added processing latency from IR Cab or IR Reverb..
  • Configurable DSP and LUFS readouts, outgoing MIDI bank and program changes, and links in practice projects.
  • ARM64 builds for Windows and Linux, plus AVX2, AVX, and No AVX installers for Windows x64.

Less noise, more of your playing​

Put the new Noise Reduction effect first in your chain and choose your pickup type. It learns hum and buzz in the pauses between notes, then cancels them under your playing too, automatically following 50 or 60 Hz mains noise as its frequency drifts. Its hiss stage closes the top end only as a note fades into hiss, leaving the body and decay alone. It adds no latency; Listen to Removed Noise lets you hear exactly what it removes.

The Noise Gate gains a Learn button in both the global gate settings and the effect panel. Mute your strings and press Learn: it listens for two seconds and sets the threshold just above your rig's noise. If you play while it listens, it tells you and leaves the threshold unchanged. The gate also closes promptly again after you stop playing, and hiss alone is less likely to hold it open.

Up to 5x faster NAM processing​

The new Fast NAM Engine, on by default in Settings > DSP Performance, substantially reduces the CPU cost of standard and A2 captures, meaning you can run more at the same time. On Windows, Linux, and Intel Macs, NAM amps use about a third of the CPU they did (compared to both other NAM enabled software and our previous versions); on Apple Silicon, about half, although A2 models at the lowest NAM quality setting see a smaller saving. Switch it off to compare with the standard engine.

IR Cab and IR Reverb use about half their previous CPU and no longer add processing latency. This also fixes phasey IR Cab blends and dry/wet timing in IR Reverb. The old Low Latency switch is no longer needed. Heavy American uses about a sixth of its previous CPU, and the engine stops processing when the input is silent, after delay repeats and reverb tails have finished.

Identical mono audio on both sides of a stereo track is now detected, so amps and cabs can run once instead of twice. Use Multiple CPU Cores is off by default in the plugin to avoid competing with your DAW's scheduling, while remaining on in the standalone app. NAM resampling is also lighter and adds less latency when the capture and session sample rates differ.

These savings depend on your platform, settings, and signal chain.

Metering, MIDI, and everyday workflow​

Effect DSP readouts can now show momentary, short-term, and integrated LUFS loudness alongside peak, RMS, processing time, and latency. Add or remove individual figures and your choices are remembered. The output meter has its own readout for output levels, whole-chain DSP load, recent peak load, and latency.

The MIDI & Automation panel can send Bank Select and Program Change messages when you choose a setlist or slot in the app. Enable Send a program change to the MIDI device and choose the channel and Bank Select format your device expects. Changes received from your MIDI device or DAW are not echoed back.

Practice projects can save web links for tabs, lessons, and lyrics. IR Cab adds an optional Trim Leading Silence switch that preserves the alignment of two loaded IRs. Harmonizer gains a Mix control, and a split with effects on only one branch can be removed without deleting those effects.

Input Calibration is now called Input Levelling, with existing profiles retained. A new Mouse wheel adjusts controls preference lets you scroll without accidentally turning knobs. Full Level on Mono Outputs, off by default, removes the centre-pan level reduction on mono outputs without changing stereo outputs or previously saved DAW projects.

Reliability and compatibility notes​

  • Bounces no longer begin with a gap. Exports now use your playback NAM quality; raise it in Settings > DSP Performance before bouncing if you want higher quality.
  • IR Cab and IR Reverb timing fixes can slightly change the low end of an IR Reverb below 100% Mix. IR Cab's corrected Auto Gain Comp can make similar blended IRs up to 3 dB quieter, while corrected Speaker Drive can make normal-level playing louder.
  • Fixes address DAW crashes when removing and reinserting the plugin, Windows helper-thread shutdown, long file paths, and resource folders with non-English names.
  • The tuner now tracks lower bass notes. IR B works when IR A is empty, and IR quality changes and swaps take effect smoothly.
  • Startup always restores a playable preset, with a fallback if the last preset is missing. Closing after a Tone Sharing preview restores the preset you were playing beforehand.
  • Custom Effects run only when enabled in Power Features and have execution, memory, and stack limits. Shared presets and packs do not install Custom Effect modules: choose your own .wasm module to activate an empty Custom Effect slot.

Downloads​

Get version 1.7.0 from the Downloads page.

  • Windows: choose x64 with AVX2 (the default), AVX, or No AVX to match your CPU, or choose ARM64 for Windows on ARM.
  • Linux: choose x64 for Intel or AMD processors, or ARM64 for 64-bit ARM systems. The quick-install commands follow your selection.
  • macOS: one universal installer supports Intel and Apple Silicon on macOS 11 or later.

Feedback​

If something breaks, send your platform and selected build, DAW, audio interface, reproduction steps, and any logs or screenshots to [email protected].