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VProm

Drum Machine Plugin by Aly James Lab
MyKVRFAVORITE27WANT22
45.00 €
VProm
VProm VProm VProm VProm VProm
VProm by Aly James Lab is a Virtual Instrument Audio Plugin for macOS and Windows. It functions as a VST Plugin, an Audio Units Plugin and a VST 3 Plugin.
Product
Version
2.0.4
Windows XP/Vista/7/10, or newer,
32-bit or 64-bit Host, VST2.4, VST3
Product
Version
2.0.4
Snow Leopard (10.6) or higher.
32-bit or 64-bit Host, VST2.4, VST3 or AudioUnit Host.
Instrument
Formats
Sample Formats
Loads and/or Saves
BIN 8-bit companded EPROM image
Copy Protection
Serial Number
My KVR - Groups, Versions, & More
74 KVR members have added VProm to 23 My KVR groups 108 times.
Not In Your MY KVR Groups
(or group limitation prevents versioning)
+23 in private groups

KVR Rank

Overall: 86   65   85

30-Day: 101; 7-Day: 145; Yesterday: 207

VProm is an authentic Linn LM-1 VST which emulate all the character and internal circuitry of the legendary 1st sample based drum machine in History. The Linn LM-1 Drum Computer, invented by Roger Linn in the early 80s:

The Linn was the killer drum machine in town back in the early 80s. It has been used to shape the sound of major acts like: Prince, Phil Collins, Thompson Twins, Stevie Wonder, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Michael Jackson etc. To this day the unique sound of that machine is highly regarded and only using samples of an LM-1 output cannot reproduce the wide range of sounds this machine can produce and especially the tuning feature and frequency content. The AM6070 DACs and the whole circuitry stands next to the samples characters in that unique sounding team.

Concept

The VProm LM-1 Drum VST provides the closest experience to the real thing because it is not based on samples, instead it accurately models the clocks and counters that reads EPROMs memory feeding the AM6070 DACs to decode the EPROMs data in real-time, models the CEM 3320 filters with tweak-able control over the CV pulses shapes to let more or less transient pass through unfiltered or completely bypass them, special hihat circuitry and VCA providing different hihat sound on each trigger and decay control, separate tuning for all voices with already a wider range without tweaking the electronics...separate outputs for your DAW, velocity handling etc...You will maintain that raw sound at every tune! On top of the cake all voices can be replaced with external EPROM data like on a real machine...Opening up a whole new range of sound, still being processed by the circuitry.

VProm uses a custom C++ core and 3rd party licensed code where nothing fancy was needed.

Version 2.0 now runs on Mac & Windows 32/64-bit Systems and is available as VST2, VST3 and AU format as native 32-bit or 64-bit plugin format.

VProm price is 45.00 €.

VProm Features:

  1. AM6070 modeled real time DAC decoding: Following the exact datasheet decode table for 8bit companded incoming DATA. The real LM-1 nasty griddy sound at every pitch, like the real thing, forget resampling or tuning samples packs which will always sound dull at lower pitches.
  2. Hihat DATA looping & VCA: The LM-1 Hihat circuitry was pretty unique, the hihat proms were read constantly in a loop while only a VCA was triggered, for closed hihat the circuitry had the ability to discharge the current through an additional way based on the decay pot setting. This basically makes the hihat sounding different on every hit.
  3. CEM VCF filters: Unlike the very first produced LM-1 units, later revs had were filtering voices with bass frequency content to minimize the remaining 8-bit noise, using a CEM 3320 VCF configured as a lowpass filter with no resonance. The CV frequency of the VCF was shaped by the circuitry in a way that lets the transients pass through relatively unfiltered. The VProm lets you fine tune the CV pulse or completely bypass the filter, this is useful when a voice is tuned very low or if you want to replace a "Bass" slot with another EPROM that doesn't require filtering.
  4. Separate pitch tuning: This is one of the coolest feature of the LM-1, letting you tune any voice to a particular frequency for a wide range of sounds. The EPROM's data were read one byte at the time by a counter which speed was controlled by a relatively stable oscillator, the counters reading speed could then be affected by the external tuning pots in a limited range of + or - 1 octave. This tuning range can be tweaked and the VProm provides a useful wide range of pitch from 1000Hz to 44100Hz and anything in between based on a real mod. (stock was around 12048 - 30303Hz.).
  5. Separate outputs: The LM-1 featured separate outputs for every voices, so as the VProm. You can choose from ALL to 1 Stereo Channel or Separate Channels for each voice in your DAW.
  6. Velocity control: You can limit yourself to only two velocity levels or use the full range of MIDI velocity for convenience.
  7. GUI & automation: The GUI features the original trigger buttons for quick listening and controls over every aspect of the drum machine, most of the parameters like volume and pitch knobs can be MIDI learned to control changes from any external MIDI Hardware.
  8. Loading external EPROM DATA: The VProm provides the ability to replace all voices with external compatible 8-bit companded EPROM data. Which opens up the machine to LINNDRUM (LM-2), LINN 9000, DMX, DX, DRUMTRACKS etc. samples or even load your own custom made. You can switch between custom loaded and stock EPROMs on the fly. VProm Supports the following type and size EPROMs binaries (.bin):
    • 2716 (2048_Bytes) 2K.
    • 2732 (4096_Bytes) 4K.
    • 2764 (8192_Bytes) 8K.
    • 27128 (16384_Bytes) 16K.
    • 27256 (32768_Bytes) 32K.

LINN LM-1 Sequencer:

It was not needed to model the LM-1 sequencer because regardless of all the urban legends about it, it is mainly a 48 PPQN (pulse per quarter note) resolution thing. Modern sequencers and DAWs have a finer resolution usually around 960 PPQN or higher, this simply means that the same beat with some swing will not groove exactly the same at 960 or 48 PPQN... An easy thing to do is to export your beat in MIDI a 48 PPQN and import it back. The full technical explanation is available in the VProm manual.

VProm version 2.0 features some improvement and changes compared to version 1.0

  • New MIDI Panel with MIDI learn-able custom trigger maps.
  • Change in default MIDI trigger map. (see manual.).
  • New panning capability per drum, panning knobs will replace the tuning knob row via a pop-up box selection. (available while clicking on the TUNE label on the GUI. See control panels).
  • Improved GUI.
  • All EPROMs can now be replaced versus only 7 of them in version 1.
  • Easier and faster Custom EPROMs loading and management; no need to specify the size anymore, VProm does it for you. Once loaded, custom EPROMs are saved with the patch.
  • The additional CUSTOM voice is renamed to EXTRA and is now loaded by default with a modified delay-less stock LM-1 Snare. (see Manual -> EPROM Loading.).
  • Double clicking a control resets to default value on most of the GUI controls.
  • ALT+Left click on each Tune Knob in order to set the clock rate precisely by typing in a value. The main info display will now only display the last edited parameter info or value, such as which EPROM .bin is loaded or the knob, slider etc. current value.
  • In addition to the original velocity mode, 2 Full velocity modes are now available with linear and now exponential response.
  • Incoming MIDI Pitch-Bend Message is now recognized and will act as a Global tuning offset, great for live tweaking the whole set or to transpose up or down.
  • VProm now transmit its triggers as MIDI OUT.
  • External MIDI learn for controls can now only be attached to MIDI CC messages. (no more Sysx nor aftertouch.).
  • Choke ability (stops EXTRA EPROM playing by MIDI note C4).
  • Optional X16 oversampled engine for better high harmonics integrity (closer to hardware).

Latest User Reviews

Average user rating of 5.00 from 2 reviews
VProm

Reviewed By torridgristle [all]
February 2nd, 2019
Version reviewed: v2.0.3 on Windows

VProm is the single most accurate and useful Linn LM-1 emulation I've found, possibly because it is the only one to actually emulate the hardware rather than play back some recorded samples. The big draw for this is the hihat which is actually a constantly looping sound with an amplitude envelope that opens up over it whenever the hihat is triggered; this causes each hihat hit to sound different which makes it sound more alive or organic. My singular gripe regarding this is the inability to load a custom hihat EPROM to loop like the original hihat, instead it only plays custom EPROMs as a one-shot.

Tuning samples down low causes the sounds to have a familiar gritty sound that you can't achieve in a modern day by just pitching down a sample and playing it back slower, and this is much appreciated as that gritty aliased sound is exactly what I wanted: Gritty, not muffled.

Each sound can have its own unique output from the plugin, allowing you to put your own effects on each drum sound while only using one instance of VProm.

Regarding custom EPROMs, this is where VProm gets even more fun for me. You can create authentically formatted sounds using Promenade from Electrongate (do not use wav2dmx or dmxwav as the math is reportedly incorrect) and load them into VProm to hear your own samples played back through an accurately modelled AM6070 DAC and optionally (on by default) CEM 3320 VCF filters on the bass, conga, and tom sounds that were in the original LM-1 hardware in order to remove noise from the tail-end of the drum sounds.

Additionally, the Oberheim DMX uses the same DAC as the Linn LM-1, and thus VProm can load its EPROMs with no trouble and it sounds, due to the similar hardware, pretty much just like the Oberheim DMX.

If you want an authentic vintage sampler sound, VProm is how you get it.

Read Review
VProm

Reviewed By BrockHardcastle [all]
May 22nd, 2014
Version reviewed: 7 on Windows

The VLINN by Aly James Lab is without a doubt the best VST drum machine out there for drum machine sounds. Period. Wave Alchemy, UVI, and others make emulations, but they don't touch the sound or features available here.

The LM-1 is a classic, and it's instantly recognizable for its punch, heft, and clarity and it's all recaptured here. The VLINN doesn't use samples, it uses the actual EPROM data and reads it in real time. Every sample I've paid for over the years are now useless because this thing does it all. You can alter the pitch of the samples; you can edit the cutoff/decay of the hi hats; you can route each channel to its own individual channel in your DAW for further processing. The best part about that is that it's automatically setup that way when opening the program.

BUT The most exciting feature of this program is the ability to load 4K, 8K, and 16K EPROM BIN files in to it. So that means that the DMX, DX, Drumtraks, and more are all instantly ready to pop in. Further to that, you can sample whatever other machine you want; convert the WAV to a BIN; then load it in to the machine. It's then run through all the modeled circuitry.

I can't say enough good things about the VLINN. It's absolutely essential for any fans of drum machines, the 80s sound, the Minnesota funk sound, and more.

Aly James knows what he's doing and doesn't cut corners or omit features. The big guys should take notes from his work and ear for authenticity.

Read Review

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Comments & Discussion for Aly James Lab VProm

Discussion
Discussion: Active
murnau
murnau
25 May 2014 at 6:09am

wav2bin? then the samples you bought before not so useless as you said or? :-)

BrockHardcastle
BrockHardcastle
26 May 2014 at 7:14pm

My LM-1 samples are now useless and don't sound half as good as this. I would not load an inferior sample of the LM-1 in to the machine that already has pristine LM-1 BIN files in it. My other samples on the other hand are great to change to BIN and drop in to this thing. Gives them a new life.

BlackWinny
BlackWinny
26 May 2014 at 7:42pm

Yes, it's another new evidence that the modelling synthesis is the real future instead of the sample based instruments. First in sample based instruments, the sound can't be alive by itself (it needs effects to give it life) while in physically (or electronically) modelled synthesis the sound is alive in itself, by mathematical progressions, and second... while gigabytes of samples are needed in sample based synthesis, just some megabytes (a thousand times less) is enough for a modelling synthesis instrument... which will have a far better quality.

Thohi
Thohi
3 February 2017 at 4:39pm

The name of this entry really should be changed to reflect the current name of the product.

argealis
argealis
4 March 2018 at 6:53pm

I have a question about your the possibility to load additional banks :
If I load anadditional bank and if after I want to go back to original one, will it be necessary to re-load the default bank?
Where is located (on a Mac) this default bank (maybe called "vProm-Default.fxp")?
Thank you for your help.

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