s(M)exoscope

This is Bram de Jong's classic s(M)exoscope plug-in with the source code cleaned up, documented, and modernized for JUCE 8.

The original smartelectronix site is defunct now but Bram was kind enough to upload his plug-in source code to GitHub.

This version is based on Armando Montanez's JUCE port from 2016 and Jason Perez's fixes. However, I changed almost everything. 😄

See also my blog post about this plug-in.

Installation instructions

⚠️ Use this software at your own risk. See the LICENSE for full details. ⚠️

Mac

The Mac version of the plug-in is signed and notarized.

1. Download sMexoscope-Mac.zip from the Releases page.
2. In your Downloads folder, double-click sMexoscope-Mac.zip to unzip the file.
3. Copy s(M)exoscope.component to the folder /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components
4. Copy s(M)exoscope.vst3 to the folder /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3
5. In your DAW, look for Smartelectronix > s(M)exoscope. You can insert this plug-in on a mono or stereo track.

If the AU version of the plug-in is not visible in your DAW, open Applications/Utilities/Terminal. Type the following and press the enter key:

killall -9 AudioComponentRegistrar

Then restart your DAW. Now the plug-in should be visible. If not, reboot your computer.

Windows

1. Download sMexoscope-Windows.zip from the Releases page.
2. In your Downloads folder, right-click sMexoscope-Windows.zip and choose Extract All... to unzip the file.
3. Copy s(M)exoscope.vst3 to the folder C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
4. In your DAW, look for Smartelectronix > s(M)exoscope. You can insert this plug-in on a mono or stereo track.

How to use this plug-in

Read the manual (original by Kerrydan)

Notes:

• The External trigger mode is not implemented in this version.
• The docs mention a "modular" version but only the standard version is available.

Building from source code

Projucer

Brief instructions:

• Install JUCE 8 or newer.
• Open s(M)exoscope.jucer in Projucer and export to your IDE.
• Select the VST3 or AU target and build.

To-do list

• Improve drawing. Stuff seems to be off by a few pixels.
• Provide binaries so you don't have to compile this from scratch.
• Dark mode. Bram's repo has dark mode images so why not use them!
• Click on the text for the AMP knob to switch between linear and decibel display.
• Make the INTERNAL TRIG SPEED knob independent of the sample rate.
• Instead of simply clipping samples that go outside of visible range, show them in red to indicate they've been clipped.
• Use a path to draw the interpolated lines instead of doing the interpolation manually.
• Don't store two Point objects per pixel but use a custom struct.
• Make thread-safe. The peaks array is written to by the audio code and read from the UI thread.
• Retina/HiDPI graphics. Resizable UI.

From the original todo.txt:

[TODO]
* stereo (left/right/both on display, trigger=left) [Ross Bencina]
* VST programs [AFH]
* editable default settings (think bidule / save as default / registry) [AFH]

Revision history

revision history
----------------
20161202
* static Windows VST builds

20161106
* fixed line rendering gaps
* rebuilt for release compatibility and optimization
* included build for 64-bit Windows

20160902
* ported to JUCE framework
* refresh rate increased to 30fps
* Mouse crosshair black instead of inverted

20040403
* DC-Killer now defaults to OFF [Ross Bencina]
* changed the way the trigger works ("<" to "<=" etc...) [Ross Bencina]
* XY-cross with value readouts on left-click

20031203 :: first release

---

[CHANGELOG]

v = bugfix
+ = addition
c = change

[17-04-2004] c   Added sean's graphic readout
[15-12-2003] c   DC-Killer now defaults to OFF [Ross Bencina]
[15-12-2003] v   changed the way the trigger works ("<" to "<=" etc...) [Ross Bencina]
[??-12-2003] +   XY-cross with value readouts

  -- version 1 released

[06-08-2003] +   optional DC-killing [Lee Stacey]
[05-08-2003] +   freeze [Ross Bencina]
[05-08-2003] +   if(trigger less than XX seconds ago) don't trigger again [Ross Belcina]
[05-08-2003] +   waveform zoom when samples/pixel < 1 [Ross Bencina]
[05-08-2003] +   channel switch [Lee Stacey / Ross Bencina]
[04-08-2003] v   stupid clipping bug [Lee Stacey]

Credits

Copyright (C) 2003 Bram de Jong

Bram @ Smartelectronix presents :: The S(m)exoscope
---------------------------------------------------


bram @ smartelectronix.com      :: Code & Conccept
sean @ deadskinboy.com          :: GUI Design
kerrydan                        :: Documentation
sophia @ smartelectronix.com    :: Mac port
armando                         :: Multiplatform JUCE port


Smexoscope is not an effect, nor is it a synthesiser, don't
expect it to generate noise: it's a visualisation only plugin!

Useful for looking at waveforms and very useful for developers.

For more info, see the splendid documentation by Kerrydan.

have fun,


 - bram, sean, kyle, armando

Cleaned up and documented by Matthijs Hollemans in December 2024.

JUCE is copyright © Raw Material Software.

VST® is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, registered in Europe and other countries.