RST1.0 A Request for Comments (RFC)
A general DAW compatible audio plugin format under the MIT license. Other alternative API's to this ABI is allowed.
Presented here is a audio plugin header file with support for voice killing for synthesizers and support for silence for audio effect units for reduced CPU load...
https://github.com/logos-maker/RST1.0
You can make plugins that will register as VST2 plugs.
But it has 2 new functions that report what channels in are silent. That require almost no changes to existing VST2 plugs to able to use.
And it's only a ABI as it allows other API's. You can make a drop in replacement API that will old plugs compile and then make small changes to and give it modern compatibilities.
And you can make no changes to VST2 plugs and comply to the format.
And you can make small changes that will give the plug lower CPU usage.
And the host can give id number on notes, and events so you can modulate voices on synthesizers.
And synthesizers can report on dead notes so hosts can stop modulating them.
And you get synthesizers with almost endless modulation possibilities without getting the clap.
Here is some things that comes to mind...
It needs no registration.
You can use it in closed source applications.
Can make faster plugs.
Easier to make plugs.
Most DAW's already supports in.
New stuff can use it without licence.
Endless polyphonic modulation capabilities.
Don't needs code generators like VST3.
A chance to improve old stuff without total rewrite.
You can create proper documentation and best practices.
You can make tests programs that gives info about plugs, to make development easier.
Get users for these plugs.
The game here is to make a format that can load into existing DAW's and ensure no craches.
And stop the guesswork when it comes to complying to DAW's with a new plugin format that is more compliant to with DAW's than VST2 plugs.