Blue Cat Audio Patchwork

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	Global Dry/Wet	"Mix" control
Mac Processor	Intel or Apple Silicon	Audio routing	flexible I/O connections to any audio channel
Audio Interface (standalone)	Core Audio compatible	Channels	up to 16 audio channels (in plug-in and/or standalone depending on configuration)
Windows	Windows Vista, 7, 8, or 10	Side chain / multi-outputs	supports external side chain and multiple outputs
Windows Processor	SSE2 required (Pentium 4 or newer)	Latency compensation	integrated
Sample Rates	all supported	Gains	linked "pre" and "post" gains for automatic compensation
Hosted plug-ins	VST-2, VST-3, Audio Unit	Quick editing	drag-and-drop, cut/copy/paste plug-ins with their settings
Distribution formats (Mac)	VST-2, VST-3, AU, AAX	Presets	recall and share complex configurations between DAWs
Distribution formats (Windows)	VST-2, VST-3, AAX	Monitoring	input/output levels, CPU indicator
Modes	plug-in (effect or virtual instrument) and standalone application	Automation	control of sub-plug-ins via parameter mapping
Compatibility	supports VST Shell	Macros	Macro controls and control styles (knob or switch, depending on publisher)
Capacity	up to 64 third-party or built-in plug-ins in one instance	Neutral value	default/neutral value setting for Macros (depending on publisher)
Chaining	series and parallel	MIDI Learn	yes
Parallel	up to 8 chains, with phase flip, solo, and gain	MIDI Routing	virtual MIDI ports for interconnection between sub-plug-ins and DAW
Chaining slots	up to 8 "pre" slots and 8 "post" slots	Extended MIDI controls (depending on publisher)	notes, pitch bend, NRPN, 14-bit CC, aftertouch, channel pressure, in addition to CC
Multicore	multicore processing support for parallel chains	Bypass and UI controllable (depending on publisher)	individual bypass and interface display controllable via automation, MIDI, or Macros
Instruments	up to 8 virtual instruments in parallel, mixed within the plug-in