VCV Rack changelog

In this document, Ctrl means Cmd on Mac.

2.0.6 (2022-01-15)

• Add "Save a copy" to File menu.
• Remember CPU meter state across launches.
• Use audio device's suggested sample rate as initial sample rate.
• Add more logging of initialization/destruction of subsystems and module instantiation.
• Make MIDI input queue thread-safe, fixing probabilistic crash when processing MIDI input.
• Rack Pro
  • Generate MIDI Start message in DAWs like Cubase that pre-roll transport.
  • Generate MIDI Song Position Pointer messages when DAW is playing.
  • Fix VST2 input/output channel labels being truncated in Ableton Live.
  • Improve VST2 audio performance by avoiding unnecessary copying of buffers.

2.0.5 (2022-01-01)

• Swap order of parameter name and module name in MIDI-Map.
• Parse all note names from c0 to b9 and accidentals like c# and cb in parameter entry field.
• Tweak framebuffer render-skipping algorithm to always render at least 1 framebuffer after the frame deadline, to prevent framebuffers from never being rendered.
• Set audio device default sample rate to 44100, and block size to 256 except DirectSound to 1024.
• Fix file dialog truncating Unicode filenames on Mac.

2.0.4 (2021-12-18)

• Fix hang when initializing Audio module.
• Fix hidden window after closing while minimized and reopening.
• Move Import Selection menu item to File menu bar.
• Switch from GTK3 to zenity for opening dialogs on Linux.
• Implement prompt dialog on Windows.
• Make Windows installer add Rack to list of CFA allowed apps, allowing Rack to write to "My Documents" folder if Controlled Folder Access is enabled.
• Rack Pro
  • Improve stability of DAW MIDI clock.
  • Fix graphics glitch when duplicating module with Ctrl+D in Ableton Live.
  • Re-enable patch load error dialog.
• SDK
  • Compile with -fno-omit-frame-pointer.

2.0.3b (2021-12-09)

• Rack Pro
  • Use separate template patch when running as a plugin.

2.0.3 (2021-12-09)

• Fix MIDI-Map not accepting MIDI CC.
• Fix order of Audio-16 outputs 13/14 and 15/16.
• Clear patch before removing autosave dir when loading patch. This fixes inability to load patches on Windows when modules hold file handles to patch storage.
• Fix crash when patch attempts to add a cable that connects to a valid Port but an inexistent PortWidget (e.g. if a module defines a Port but omits the PortWidget).
• Upgrade from ustar to pax tar patch format. Don't store actual uid/gid, just set to 0.
• Rack Pro
  • Add external audio/MIDI drivers in plugin, except ASIO on Windows.
  • Show machine ID in splash window for offline activation.
  • Prevent "Reserved" plugin parameter from being changed when moving module parameters.

2.0.2 (2021-12-06)

• Turn off lights if module is bypassed.
• Fix Font and Image not loading UTF-8 filenames on Windows.
• Fix plugins not loading if their fallback alias exists.
• Fix crash when sometimes unsetting audio interface on Mac.
• Rack Pro
  • Save/restore plugin window size in patch.
  • Fix crash on scan in Renoise.

2.0.1 (2021-12-02)

• Fix network connection timeout.
• Flush log file when logging to avoid truncated logs.

2.0.0 (2021-11-30)

• Redesign Module Browser with compact layout, adjustable zoom levels, sorting options, intelligent searching, and multiple tag selection.
• Redesign component graphics and Core panels by Pyer.
• Add port tooltips with name, voltage, and list of connected ports.
• Add port context menu with ability to create cables with a particular color, drag any cable from the stack, or delete the top cable.
• Evaluate mathematical expressions (such as 1+2*3) in parameter context menu fields.
• Add multiple module selection by highlighting a rectangle or Shift-clicking on a module panel.
• Add importing/exporting module selections to new .vcvs file format.
• Add module whitelist to Module Browser which synchronizes individual modules chosen in the VCV Library.
• Add favorite modules filter to Module Browser.
• Restructure engine to no longer use an "engine thread".
  • Improve engine performance and latency by no longer requiring thread synchronization between the engine thread and audio thread. The engine now runs directly on the audio thread.
  • Add support for multiple simultaneous audio devices.
  • Add "Master module" context menu item to VCV Audio modules to select which audio device clocks the engine.
  • Allow other modules to be the primary module, such as VCV Recorder for rendering audio faster than real-time.
  • Remove "Real-time priority" menu item, since the thread priority is now managed elsewhere (RtAudio, etc).
  • Remove engine pausing as it no longer makes sense with the new engine architecture.
• Replace module disabling with bypassing, which directly routes certain inputs to outputs if specified by the plugin.
• Duplicate cables patched to inputs when a module is duplicated.
• Add module tags to module context menu.
• Add module manual URL (if plugin developer supplies it) to module context menu item.
• Add quick access to user module patches from <Rack user dir>/presets/<plugin slug>/<module slug> to module context menu. Supports subdirectories.
• Add infinity and NaN protection to cables, so they won't propagate non-finite values from badly behaving modules.
• Add basic headless support with the -h flag.
• Add multiple parameter dragging modes: scaled linear, absolute rotary, and relative rotary.
• Add "knobLinearSensitivity" property to settings.
• Add timestamps to MIDI messages.
• Allow sending and receiving SysEx messages through MIDI drivers.
• Allow scrolling with Alt+click and drag.
• Add "File > Open recent" menu item for opening recent patches.
• Add "Preset > Save template" to module context menu which saves the default module preset to load when a new instance is added to the rack.
• Break Rack executable into libRack shared library and lightweight standalone Rack executable.
• Add support for 1/2x and 1/4x low-fidelity sample rates to engine and "Engine > Sample rates" menu.
• Add Escape key command for existing fullscreen, in case F11 doesn't work.
• Copy cable color when cloning cables with Ctrl+click.
• Fix key commands on AZERTY, Dvorak, and all other keyboard layouts.
• Add Mouse device to Computer keyboard/mouse MIDI driver.
• Make scrollbar mouse interaction similar to modern OS behavior.
• Re-render framebuffers when subpixel offset changes, fixing bug that makes ports and knobs appear slightly offset at certain zoom levels.
• Use new .vcv patch format, an archive (POSIX tar compressed with Zstandard) of a patch.json file, module patch assets, and potentially other future files.
• Use randomly-generated 53-bit IDs to identify modules and cables in the patch.
• Use a fuzzy search algorithm for searching modules in the Module Browser.
• Add tips window which appears when Rack launches or when choosing "Help > Tips".
• Check for Library updates every few seconds to avoid needing to restart Rack to check for updates.
• When clicking on a module in the Module Browser and immediately releasing, place the module in the last cursor position in the rack, rather than the current cursor position.
• When clicking and dragging a module from the Module Browser, fix the mouse handle offset to the center of the module.
• Allow darkening rack brightness.
• Draw spotlight near cursor when rack brightness is lowered.
• Improve light rendering with a more physical blending algorithm.
• Add engine CPU meter and framerate meter to menu bar.
• Allow zooming rack with extra mouse buttons 4 and 5.
• Add "pixelRatio" to settings for forcing the UI pixel scale.
• If Ctrl+clicking on any menu item, the menu stays open (except for some menu items like "Delete Module").
• Add Ctrl+F1 key command when cursor is hovering a module to open its user manual.
• Redesign CPU meter with percentage history graph.
• Add PulseAudio driver on Linux.
• Distribute .pkg installer on Mac.

• Check for VCV Library updates when Library menu is opened, rather than at time intervals.

• Core

  • Add Audio-2 module with stereo input/output, a level knob, and VU meters.
  • Add DC blocker setting to Audio modules. On Audio-2, enable it by default.
  • Add MPE mode to MIDI-CC and MIDI-Gate.
  • Add mode to MIDI-CC to process 14-bit MIDI CC via MSB/LSB.
  • Use MIDI timestamps in MIDI-CV, MIDI-CC, MIDI-Gate, and MIDI-Map to improve overall timing and drastically reduce clock jitter.
  • Add red clip lights to VCV Audio-8/16 when signal reaches beyond ±10V.
  • Reset notes in MIDI-CV and MIDI-Gate if an "all notes off" MIDI message is received.
  • Allow disabling smoothing for MIDI-CV (pitch and mod wheel), MIDI-CC, and MIDI-Map.
  • Add several module presets for many Core modules.

• API

  • Add setters/getters for nearly every instance variable in Rack's API. Use these for higher likelihood of stability.
  • Compile Rack and plugins with -march=nehalem, enabling (and requiring) up to SSE4.2 and POPCNT instruction sets.
  • Add Module::configInput() and Module::configOutput() for adding names to ports.
  • Replace ParamWidget::paramQuantity with ParamWidget::getParamQuantity().
  • Add .modules[].manualUrl to plugin manifest schema.
  • Add appendAudioMenu() and appendMidiMenu() so plugin developers can develop custom audio/MIDI interfaces without adding an AudioWidget/MidiWidget to their panel.
  • Make Module::toJson() and fromJson() virtual.
  • Add Module::paramsToJson() and paramsFromJson() virtual methods.
  • Add SwitchQuantity and a helper method Module::configSwitch() for displaying named values in the parameter context menu. Also add Module::configButton() recommended for momentary switches with no value labels.
  • Overhaul Engine threading model to allow as many Engine methods to be called simultaneously as possible, while ensuring that Module events are mutually exclusive to module processing.
  • Add Engine::getNumModules() and Engine::getModuleIds().
  • Add event::KeyBase::keyName. Plugins should use this instead of key for alphanumeric keys in order to support all keyboard layouts.
  • Improve thread safety of dsp::RingBuffer.
  • Add several convenient filesystem routines to system::.
  • Add system::getTime() and getUnixTime().
  • Add system::readFile() and writeFile().
  • Move all string:: functions dealing with filesystem paths to system::.
  • Change type of Module::id and Cable::id from int to int64_t.
  • Move event classes to inside widget::Widget class.
  • Deprecate Window::loadSvg(). Un-deprecate Svg::load().
  • Font and Image can no longer be stored across UI frames. Load them with APP->window->loadFont() and loadImage() each draw() method.
  • Add Widget::hasChild(), addChildBottom(), addChildBelow(), addChildAbove(), and drawChild().
  • Add Module::createPatchStorageDirectory() and getPatchStorageDirectory().
  • Add createMenuLabel(), createMenuItem(), createCheckMenuItem(), createBoolMenuItem(), createBoolPtrMenuItem(), createSubmenuItem(), createIndexSubmenuItem(), and createIndexPtrSubmenuItem() to helpers.
  • Add Module::onReset() and onRandomize(). Overrides default param resetting and randomization behavior if overridden, unless super methods are called.
  • Add Module::SaveEvent.
  • Add operator overloads for Vec.
  • Add string::join(), split(), formatTime(), and formatTimeISO().
  • Add random::Xoroshiro128Plus which can be used like C++ <random> classes.
  • Add Port::getVoltageRMS().
  • Add Widget::drawLayer() for handling multiple draw passes.
  • Add on/off threshold values to dsp::SchmittTrigger.
  • Add dsp::convert() template functions for converting audio between normalized floats and integers.
  • Add bool app::SvgSwitch::latch setting for latching button switches.
  • Dispatch Module::SampleRateChange event when Module is added to engine.

1.1.6 (2019-11-04)

• Add ability for plugins to use LuaJIT on Mac.
• Fix normal random number generator possibly returning -infinity.
• Core
  • MIDI-Map: Don't move param until the first MIDI CC command is sent.
• API
  • Remove support for namespaced rack::APP, rack::DEBUG, etc macros. Use namespace-less APP, DEBUG, etc instead.
  • Add dsp::IIRFilter.

1.1.5 (2019-09-29)

• Swap order of tags and brands in Module Browser.
• Add View > Frame rate menu bar item.
• Hide menu and scrollbars when fullscreen.
• Add key command (F3) for engine CPU meter.
• Add numpad key commands.
• Automatically unzip update on Mac.
• Stop worker threads when engine is paused to save CPU.
• Core
  • Disable smoothing for MIDI CC buttons in MIDI-Map.
  • Fix sustain pedal release bug when using polyphonic mode in MIDI-CV.
• API
  • Add libsamplerate library.

1.1.4 (2019-08-22)

• Fix parameter smoothing of MIDI-Map.
• Sort modules within plugin in the Module Browser according to plugin rather than alphabetically.
• Fix bug where knobs sometimes jump while dragging.
• Reimplement CPU meter to measure thread runtime, not real time.
• Fix crashes when deleting/duplicating modules while dragging modules/cables in certain cases.
• API
  • Add dsp::BiquadFilter.
  • Add dsp/approx.hpp with approximate math functions.
  • Add simd::tan(), atan(), and atan2().
  • Add string::toBase64() and fromBase64().

1.1.3 (2019-07-23)

• Include root certificate bundle for libcurl on all OS's.
• Revert to OpenSSL from Schannel on Windows.
• Bundle unsigned Fundamental package on Mac.

1.1.2 (2019-07-20)

• Add app notarization on Mac, which removes the "Apple cannot check for malicious software" message on launch.
• Write stack trace to log.txt and display dialog box when Rack crashes.
• Re-enable JACK MIDI driver on Linux.
• Fix scroll speed for mice and trackpads on Mac.
• Fix undo history bug when dragging patch file to the Rack window.
• Fix crash when pasting presets to an empty rack space with Ctrl+V.
• Fix module expanders being assigned incorrectly when loading presets.
• Add check for duplicate port IDs for modules.

1.1.1 (2019-07-01)

• Add auto-updating on Windows when Help > Update VCV Rack is clicked.
• Fix extension filters in open/save dialog box on Windows.
• Fix expanders not attaching when force-dragging modules.

1.1.0 (2019-06-27)

• Request microphone access on Mac to prevent Mac 10.14+ from blocking audio input.
• Clear filters in Module Browser when backspace is pressed while the search field is empty.
• Add Ctrl+0 key command to set zoom to 100%.
• Emulate middle-click with Ctrl+shift-click on Mac.
• Fix MIDI receiving in Bridge MIDI driver.
• Fix opening/saving UTF-8 filenames on Windows.
• Fix bug where cable ID's were not being set in .vcv patches.
• Plugin API
  • Add string::absolutePath().
  • Use namespace for Core plugin to avoid name clashes.

1.0.0 (2019-06-19)

• Add polyphonic cables.
• Add multithreading to engine.
• Add undo/redo history.
• Add module expander support.
• Add parameter labels, units, and descriptions.
• Add parameter tooltips for quickly viewing parameter values.
• Add parameter context menu for entering numerical values, unmapping, etc.
• Change parameter initialization to double-click.
• Add ability to Ctrl+click on an input port to clone the existing cable.
• Add module "force" dragging when holding Ctrl.
• Add ability to disable modules with a context menu item and key command Ctrl+E.
• Add sample rates up to 768,000 Hz (16 x 48,000 Hz).
• Overhaul Module Browser with visual previews of modules.
• Add plugin info sub-menu to module context menu with links to manual, website, source code, etc.
• Add factory presets to module context menu if plugin supplies a folder of presets.
• Add default template patch.
• Add menu item to save the current patch as the template.
• Add "frameRateLimit" and "frameRateSync" for setting maximum screen refresh rate and to toggle vertical sync.
• Add "autosavePeriod" for setting the frequency of autosaves in seconds.
• Add textual menu bar, rearranged menu items, removed icons.
• Make CPU timer display microseconds and percentage instead of millisamples.
• Add engine real-time priority setting.
• Make rack infinite in all four directions.
• Add bus board graphic to rack.
• Add key command Ctrl+- and Ctrl+=, or Ctrl+scroll, for zooming the rack.
• Fix draw order of cable plugs and wires.
• Make Gamepad MIDI driver generate MIDI CC instead of MIDI notes for buttons.
• Add Numpad keyboard MIDI device.
• Fix Unicode user directories on Windows.
• Add ability to change cable colors in settings.json.
• Add -p X flag for dumping a screenshot of each available module.
• Allow user to see changelogs of plugins before updating their plugin library.
• Allow user to update individual plugins.
• Core
  • Add Audio-16 with 16/16 inputs/outputs.
  • Add CV-MIDI, CV-CC, and CV-Gate for sending MIDI to external devices.
  • Add MIDI-Map for mapping MIDI CC parameters directly to Rack parameters.
  • Add polyphony to MIDI-CV.
  • Add MPE mode to MIDI-CV.
  • Add "Panic" button to all MIDI modules to reset performance state.
• Plugin API
  • Add helper.py for creating and manipulating plugins with the command-line.
  • Add simd.hpp for generically handling arithmetic and math functions for vectors of floats, accelerated with SSE.
  • Add dsp::VuMeter2.
  • Add dsp::Timer and dsp::Counter.
  • Overhaul event system with many new events.
  • etc. See more at https://vcvrack.com/manual/Migrate1.html.
• Licenses
  • Relicense Rack to GPLv3 with the VCV Rack Non-Commercial Plugin License Exception and a commercial licensing option.
  • Collect all license statements into new LICENSE.md file.
  • License Core panel graphics under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

0.6.2 (2018-07-13)

• Add module presets.
• Add command line arguments for setting Rack directories.
• Improve UI/engine communication stability.
• VCV Bridge 0.6.2
  • Add VST FX plugin.

0.6.1 (2018-06-17)

• Add gamepad MIDI driver.
• Add computer keyboard MIDI driver.
• Add JACK support on Linux.
• Add velocity mode to MIDI-Trig.
• Add MIDI multiplexing so multiple MIDI modules can use the same MIDI device on Windows.
• Make Module Browser layout more compact.
• Add power meter.
• Add icons to toolbar.
• VCV Bridge 0.6.1
  • Replace VST effect plugin with VST instrument plugin with audio inputs.
  • Add MIDI support.
  • Add DAW transport and clock.

0.6.0 (2018-03-29)

• Release VCV Bridge for interfacing Rack with your DAW.
  • VST/AU effect plugins (Mac and 32/64-bit Windows) for using Rack as a send/return on a DAW track.
  • Enables future VSTi/AU instrument plugins with MIDI and DAW clock transport to be added in a later Rack 0.6.* update.
• Updated Plugin Manager to handle open-source plugins.
  • Potentially all plugins can be added with help from the VCV Community.
• New Module Browser for adding modules to the rack.
  • Launch by right-clicking on the rack or pressing .
  • Add "favorite" modules by clicking on the star button.
  • Navigate modules with arrow keys or mouse.
• Redesign Core modules.
  • Access to audio channels beyond the first 8 inputs/outputs.
  • Improve AUDIO stability.
  • Add retrigger output to MIDI-1.
  • Merged MIDI clock module with MIDI-1.
  • Fix MIDI-4 sustain pedal in polyphonic modes.
• Improve sample rate conversion performance, is disabled entirely when not needed.
• Patch cable colors are saved to patch files.
• Add highlighting for active patch cables when hovering mouse over port.
• Add shadows to knobs and ports.
• Add File > "Disconnect cables".
• Release Rack SDK for compiling plugins without compiling Rack.

0.5.1 (2017-12-19)

• Add Plugin Manager support.
• Fix metadata panel in the Add Module window.

0.5.0 (2017-11-21)

• Add zoom scaling from 25% to 200%.
• Automatically scroll when dragging cables to the edge of the screen.
• Add Quad MIDI-to-CV Interface, CC-to-CV, Clock-to-CV, and Trigger-to-CV MIDI interfaces.
• Improve support for ASIO, WASAPI, DirectSound, Core Audio, and ALSA audio drivers.
• New module browser with search and tags.
• Enhanced LED emulation in graphics engine.
• File > New attempts to load "template.vcv" in the "Documents/Rack" folder if it exists.

0.4.0 (2017-10-13)

• Cables can now stack on output ports.
• Add sub-menus for each plugin, includes optional plugin metadata like URLs.
• Add MIDI CC-to-CV Interface, updated MIDI-to-CV Interface.
• Add new scrolling methods: middle-click-and-drag, shift-scroll, and arrow keys.
• Add engine pausing in sample rate menu.
• Add resizable blank to Core.
• Add LEDs on plugs.
• Support for AMD Phenom II processors.
• Use self-contained Mac app bundle, no need for a Rack folder.

0.3.2 (2017-09-25)

• Add key commands.
• Fix "invisible knobs/ports" rendering bug for ~2010 Macs.
• Add "allowCursorLock" to settings.json (set to "false" for touch screen support).
• Fix 100% CPU issue when no audio device is selected.
• Add vector scaling panels.

0.3.1 (2017-09-13)

• Fix Windows open dialog current working directory graphics problem.
• Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V to copy/paste from text and password fields.
• Automatically remember settings and login token between launches.
• Remove .zip after downloading and extracting plugin.
• Ctrl+click to right click on Mac.
• Fix menu "flicker" when menu cannot fit in window.
• tweaks to Fundamental and Audible Instruments plugins.

0.3.0 (2017-09-10)

• Knobcon public Beta release.