ftplug2

A VST3 plugin based on ftplug

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Download

Download the latest version from the Releases page. ->

Download the latest version from the itch.io https://jmnjmn.itch.io/ftplug2

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Overview

ftplug2 brings the FamiTracker (http://famitracker.com/) instrument system into your DAW.

You can use your favorite FamiTracker instruments directly inside your preferred DAW environment.

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Original Project

• ftplug
  https://shiru.untergrund.net/software.shtml

ftplug2 is a derivative work based on ftplug by Shiru.

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Key Features / Changes

• Migrated from VST2 to VST3
• Uses a fork of Nes_Snd_Emu
• Added support for N163 / VRC7 / MMC5 / S5B
• Redesigned user interface
• Supports loading ftm / 0cc / dnm files
• Multiple FTI files per bank
• Bank switching (up to 127) via automation
• Graph-based editing (volume / pitch / duty) similar to FamiTracker
• Vibrato support
• Portamento support (poly = 1 only)
• Default poly = 1
• Removed Multi mode

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How To Install

1. Download the latest release.
2. Extract the archive.
3. Copy ftplug2.vst3 to the VST3 plugin folder (ex C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3)
4. Restart your DAW.
5. Rescan plugins if necessary.

Note: Administrator privileges may be required to copy files into the Program Files directory.

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Usage

Bank List

The list on the left is the "Bank List".

• Each bank holds one instrument
• Up to 127 banks can be used
• Right-click to load/save FTI files

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Instrument Editing

Use the graph and text controls on the top-right.

The workflow is designed to resemble FamiTracker.

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Loading FTM / 0cc / DNM

Load files via the File menu.

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Vibrato / Portamento

Configured in the bottom section.

• Portamento works only when poly = 1
• Can be automated

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Bank Switching

Use the Bank Select parameter via automation.

• Changes apply on note-on
• No change while a note is held

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Chip Limitations

• VRC7: Preset-only support. Envelope editing (volume / arp / pitch) is not available.
• S5B: Noise / Mode (duty sequence) is not yet supported. Only square tone output is available.

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Planned Features

• Famicom Disk System (FDS)
• DPCM

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Third-Party Libraries

Nes_Snd_Emu (fork)

https://github.com/jamesathey/Nes_Snd_Emu

Licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License v2.1.

Nes_Snd_Emu (original)

https://github.com/blarggs-audio-libraries/Nes_Snd_Emu

Licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License v2.1.

emu2413

https://github.com/digital-sound-antiques/emu2413

Licensed under the MIT License.

History

v1.0.2 03.25.2026

• Added Sunsoft 5B (S5B / FME7) sound chip support

v1.0.1 03.25.2026

• Fixed bank select automation producing incorrect bank index (off-by-one with DAW interpolation)
• Fixed potential crash when removing a track containing ftplug2
• Fixed N163 wave editor graph being invisible (bar color was undefined for wave tab)
• Added About dialog with version info and clickable library links
• Added Nes_Snd_Emu DLL separation for LGPL compliance (runtime loading via LoadLibrary)

v1.0.0 03.25.2026 - First release

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License

This project includes third-party components under different licenses (WTFPL, MIT, LGPL).

See the LICENSE file for full license texts and details.

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Distribution

This repository provides the binary (VST3 plugin).
The source code is not publicly available.

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Background

FamiTracker and FamiStudio did not fit my workflow, so I was looking for a better VST solution.

I discovered ftplug through a Reddit post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/chiptunes/comments/bl57ui/ftplug_vsti_use_y

I was very impressed and felt this was exactly what I had been looking for.

However, ftplug is about 10 years old, and VST2 is no longer supported.
Also, I found it difficult to build a complete workflow using ftplug alone.

So I decided to rebuild it from scratch based on ftplug, adding new features and improvements.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Shiru for creating ftplug.