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S3000XL-VST v1.0 - first release

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@Tuth Tuth released this 03 Aug 19:26
· 2 commits to main since this release
v1.0
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S3000XL-VST v1.0 — first release

A classic 1990s 16-bit rack sampler as an open-source VST3 instrument. The original firmware boots inside your DAW; the front panel is rendered live from MAME's own hardware artwork.

No ROMs are included — you supply your own firmware (see the README).

What works

  • Panel and buttons — rendered from the MAME layout, hit-tested straight into the emulated key matrix
  • DATA ENTRY dial — analog, with click ±1, drag-to-turn, and an automatable parameter
  • Stereo audio at the host sample rate, clean
  • MIDI in and out through the emulated UART, responsive
  • Media — floppy, CD-ROM and SCSI hard disk images; samples load cleanly from all three
  • 45 automatable VST parameters
  • Live display — the cursor blinks and sample-load progress is visible as it happens

Notes from the build

Two findings were worth the trouble and are documented in MAME-to-VSTi-RECIPE.md:

CD-ROM device timing is data integrity. The plain and 2x CD-ROM devices share the same SCSI identity and differ only in transfer timing. The firmware needs the paced 2x transfer to read a disc cleanly; the faster device corrupts sample data and every load crackles. The 2x device is used when a disc is loaded, and the plain one when the drive is empty, since an idle 2x drive can stall the firmware's main loop.

A missing device ROM gives a black panel, not an error. The LCD character-generator ROM is easy to overlook; without it the machine silently fails to start. If the panel is black, check that first.

Included as a patch: the L7A1045 stereo voice-pair key-on fix, which makes stereo samples play in full stereo rather than on one side only.

Install

Unzip and place S3000XL-VST.vst3 in your VST3 folder, typically:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\

Then supply your firmware ROMs as described in the README, including the LCD character-generator ROM. Without them the plugin cannot run — that is what makes it legal to distribute.

GPLv3. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any hardware manufacturer.

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