PG-8X (2.0) released

[jamcat]

Any updates on the Mac Apple-silicon native VST3 version ?

The last communication from the author, Martin, was in January 2023:

Just an update on the PG-8X development. First of all, sorry that I have been mainly absent for a long time. I changed job, moved to a different country, had to get into my new job, which already takes much of my time, so I had very little time to look into the development of the PG-8X.

Now, that things finally have settled a bit, I started investigating the options again. I looked into JUCE and also iPlug2. From what I can see. JUCE would mean basically a complete rewrite of large parts of the plugin, at least the complete GUI. So, a few weeks ago, I started porting to iPlug2. The framework also has changed significantly from iPlug/WDL-OL, which I used for the PG-8X, and also there, I introduced many modofications of the framework, which are no longer compatible with iPlug2.

The current status is that the code compiles with iPlug2 as a standalone app, but the GUI is not yet functional. I am in contact with Oli Larkin and hope that I can resolve the issues soon.

Cheers,
Martin

Martin pops up about once every 18 to 24 months to make these kinds of posts and string people along with false hope that never goes anywhere. We're about due another one of these empty promises.

[Spitfire31]

@jamcat: Martin devotes his private spare time to create a free-of-charge product loved by many users.

Maybe you should consider that and adjust your arrogant attitude accordingly?

[ere2learn]

Martin pops up about once every 18 to 24 months to make these kinds of posts and string people along with false hope that never goes anywhere. We're about due another one of these empty promises.

Jamtroll pops up about once every 2 to 3 months to make these kinds of demands that never goes anywhere. We're about due another one of these come October

[wvshpr]

Martin pops up about once every 18 to 24 months to make these kinds of posts and string people along with false hope that never goes anywhere. We're about due another one of these empty promises.

Everybody should work for free and as fast as possible!

[jamcat]

@jamcat: Martin devotes his private spare time to create a free-of-charge product loved by many users.

No he doesn’t, and he hasn’t for a decade. He creates commercial VCV racks, and has for years.

[jamcat]

Martin pops up about once every 18 to 24 months to make these kinds of posts and string people along with false hope that never goes anywhere. We're about due another one of these empty promises.

Everybody should work for free and as fast as possible!

Or he should just quit pretending he’s going to do something with it and open-source it like he said he would years ago.

[VitaminD]

Just an update on the PG-8X development. First of all, sorry that I have been mainly absent for a long time. I changed job, moved to a different country, had to get into my new job, which already takes much of my time, so I had very little time to look into the development of the PG-8X.

Now, that things finally have settled a bit, I started investigating the options again. I looked into JUCE and also iPlug2. From what I can see. JUCE would mean basically a complete rewrite of large parts of the plugin, at least the complete GUI. So, a few weeks ago, I started porting to iPlug2. The framework also has changed significantly from iPlug/WDL-OL, which I used for the PG-8X, and also there, I introduced many modofications of the framework, which are no longer compatible with iPlug2.

The current status is that the code compiles with iPlug2 as a standalone app, but the GUI is not yet functional. I am in contact with Oli Larkin and hope that I can resolve the issues soon.

I don't think I've ever donated to a freeware VST project. But I surely would to this project, if it was released in VST3 format with a larger GUI. You don't even have to upgrade or change any features for me. Just a stable VST3 and a couple larger GUI modes.

I just hope you didn't get so distant to the project with everyday life that you have grown cold to the project. That seems to happen to a lot of freeware audio developers over the many years I've been around the audio community. Please at least allow us one last release.

[ZonderP]

I don't think I've ever donated to a freeware VST project. But I surely would to this project, if it was released in VST3 format with a larger GUI. You don't even have to upgrade or change any features for me. Just a stable VST3 and a couple larger GUI modes.

7 years later - given that PG-8X eventually was released as VST3 with larger GUI in the meantime:

I think that I still never donated to a freeware VST project. But I surely would to this project, if it was released in CLAP2 and could be run on Windows 2030. You don't even have to upgrade or change any features for me. Just a stable CLAP2 and runable on Windows 2030.

The above elaborated attidude might be at least a small factor why some freeware audio developers could grow a bit cold to their project, because a little bit of appreciation in the form of a donation - as opposed to nicely formulated fan posts and constructive engagement, which are most probably much more important - is likely good to add to a developer's motivation.

I just hope you didn't get so distant to the project with everyday life that you have grown cold to the project. That seems to happen to a lot of freeware audio developers over the many years I've been around the audio community. ...

Once the distance is there, I guess chances are rather small to motivate a freeware developer with the promise of a donation.

[Morphoice]

I always loved PG-8X to bits, in fact so much that I solved the issue of not having a VST3 version by simply buying a real JX-8P plus programmer. No regrets here. Can recommend
Might sell it again once we have a VST3 version

[Mutant]

if it was released in VST3 format with a larger GUI

It works fine for me now in REAPER and big enough in 4K if i set the plugin to "run as" "separate process" (too small in automatic mode).

[hurricaneaudiolab]

I always loved PG-8X to bits, in fact so much that I solved the issue of not having a VST3 version by simply buying a real JX-8P plus programmer. No regrets here. Can recommend
Might sell it again once we have a VST3 version

Yeah I did the same. Grabbed the JX-08 too. Def not the same but it has the 8P flava'. Not sure how long I'll be able to use PG-8X through Rosetta. I figure SOMEONE eventually is going to make another JX-8P emulation. Just please support sysex and please nail the chorus. We don't need a half-assed mediocre emulation. PG-8X has set the bar.

[onerob]

delete

[VitaminD]

if it was released in VST3 format with a larger GUI

It works fine for me now in REAPER and big enough in 4K if i set the plugin to "run as" "separate process" (too small in automatic mode).

Then it means you're all set!

I'm still hoping for a VST3 with more GUI options. I don't see any signs of life from the developer for close to a year now though. Ah well.. Maybe we get a surprise in January? I'm not holding my breath but I'm still watching!

[N 4 LIFE]

I spent a few hours on it last night. apple did not want to allow me to open the app. i did manage to get it open as a standalone. it had no patches. i found the original presets somewhere and was able to sys ex them in.
i could get midi to it but i could not open it in logic, Mpc beats, or FL studio as an AU or VST. When i sent midi to it it was grossly out of tune, almost a 1/2 step but there was sound.

I brought it into logic through my SSL 2 audio interface. auto sampler would not see it.
so i loaded one of my favorite patches and just played 2 notes per octave into an audio track.
I dragged the audio track to logic sampler "zone per note" option and boom. it was in tune and just needed some ADSR adjustments, filter, gain, and I got my all time 8P patch "Waveaura" back.
of course when going into zenology, the preset bank for JX 8P (the one with all caps they say) DOES NOT Match the actual JX 8p patches. wtf. I knew that going in but, re checked. the most important patches to me, not there.
So i did manage to sample P17 and the hollow voices as well. very tedious but, nothing sounds as close to the real 8p as martin's thing he made.
I found I didn't miss the old UI hardly at all and his was very easy to work. nothing else I've found as a free plugin sounds as close as martin's app. the zenology 8P is for sh-t in comparison. grateful to martin for what he's done for the community. and shame on roland for all those add on synths with NO FACTORY BANKS, NO MULTIS, NO COMBOS, and inferior sound quality. hard to believe.

[hurricaneaudiolab]

i could get midi to it but i could not open it in logic, Mpc beats, or FL studio as an AU or VST.

PG-8X as an audio unit works and has been working in Logic. If you're on silicon, you need to open Logic in Rosetta mode, have it successfully scan PG-8X, which it should. Have Settings/Privacy and Security open (scroll down to the Security section) in the background as you may have to give PG-8X permission to open. Then put Logic back into silicon mode and PG-8X will be in your list.