AU/VST/VST3 | TEAM HEXWARS | 25.07.2018A legend never dies!The VProm was originally based on THE killer drum machine in town back in the early 80s, this expensive drum computer was also the first to include real drum samples back in the days!
Early sample based drum machines used samples of acoustic drum sounds recorded on the fly through some basic hardware. The way they were recorded without any kind of anti-aliasing makes them cut better in a mix than anything available at the time, they sounded so great that they became an alternative to the analog drum sounds of that era.
To this day, the unique sound of this vintage machine is highly regarded because only using samples of the analog output is not enough to reproduce the wide range of sound and character of this beast. One DAC(converter)and clock per voice and yummy filters! Yes it is a historical piece of gear that take a huge place in the 80s sound picture. Only around 500 of these things are out there so don't count on finding a working one easily and forget for cheap.
It has been used by major acts like:
Prince, Phil Collins, Thompson Twins, Stevie Wonder, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis, John Carpenter, Todd Rundgren,The Art of Noise...The Machine was made by a musician for musicians and I tried to stick to that standard :) So as there were no accurate VST for that legend out there... I had to make the VProm!
VPROM accurately reproduces the internal circuitry and filtering of the first legendary Drum Machine but is also perfectly able to read and import original, custom or vintage EPROMs from other Drum Machines of that era, legendary 80s machines such as the Linndrum, DMX, DrumTraks etc.(.bin files that you can find on the net) An EPROM is an integrated circuit that was used to store short audio sample data in a compressed format. VPROM is the closest thing to the real deal - reading and decoding original EPROM data images in real time using the exact decode table from the AM6070 DAC at a variable sample rate. VPROM also allow experimenting with your own sample database. You can convert samples with external tools and load compatible ULaw companded images (see manual for more info).
GLOBAL FEATURES:
AM6070 MODELED REAL TIME DAC DECODING
Following the exact datasheet decode table for 8bit companded incoming DATA. The real nasty gritty sound at every pitch, like the real thing, forget resampling or tuning crappy samples packs which will always sound dull at lower pitches!
HIHAT DATA LOOPING & VCA
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.
CEM 3320 Filters
Unlike the very first produced machines, some Voices with Bass frequency content were filtered to minimize the remaining 8bit noise, using a 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.
SEPARATE PITCH TUNING
This wad one of the coolest features of early sample based drum machines, letting you tune any voice to a particular frequency for a wide range of sounds.
The PROMS 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, + 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. (See manual)
(Stock was 12048 - 30303Hz.)
SEPARATE OUTPUTS
The original machines 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.
VELOCITY CONTROL
You can limit yourself to only 2 velocity levels or use the full range of MIDI velocity for convenience.
GUI & AUTOMATION
The GUI features the original trigger buttons for kick listening and controls over every aspect of the Drum Machine, most of the parameters like volume and pitch knobs can be MIDI learned and controlled by an external MIDI Hardware.
LOADING EXTERNAL EPROMS DATA
The VPROM provides the ability to replace some voices with external compatible 8bit companded EPROM data. This 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
LOAD & SAVE FULL PATCH & BANKS in FXB/FXP (additional technical infos in manual.)
In addition from the new cross platform capability, VPROM version 2 features some improvement and changes compared to version 1
New MIDI Panel with MIDI learnable 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 popup 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 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)
This plug-in was previously named VLINN (till v2.0.2).
AudioUnit format still reports to host the old name,
and that means you will find AU under the name VLINN.
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FROM DEVELOPER:
Extra EPROMS
You can find a great archive of compatible
EPROM files at the Electrongate website.
http://www.electrongate.com/dmxfiles/downloads.html
* Note that since a copyright claim, Linndrum (LM-2)
and Linn 9000 binary image can now be purchased
directly from Forat Electronics and are not
available anymore from Electrongate.
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FROM HEXWARS:
Since we do not like copyright claims, we found
and included for you the LM-1, LM-2 and Linn9000 EPROMS :)
Which BTW are crazy expensive, for 200kb of 8bit samples!
They ask 40$ + 25$ for Linn9000 Kit1 + Kit2 EPROMs! WTH?
