Jupiter 8 Morph: Godlike Productions

Jupiter 8 Morph

Taking our favourite synth to new places

Jupiter 8 Morph is a VST/AU/Standalone plugin that allows for advanced control of a Roland Jupiter 8 fitted with an Encore Electronics MIDI Interface (we are talking the original beast from 1983, not the boutique range released in 2017).

Store

V 1.4 Now Available!!!

The plugin is now available, for $79 US. A full featured, 30 day trial is available, to test operation with your Jupiter 8. The plugin is protected by PACE iLok technology, though the plugin can be used without a physical iLok, using software registration from your free iLok account.

AMD Bug

September 14, 2024

We have been made aware of a bug in The AMD Zen 5 microarchitecture that will prevent our plugin and program from being authorized. The AMD Zen 5 is a new processor family released in July, used in a variety of desktop and laptop processors branded under the “Ryzen 9000”, “Ryzen AI 9”, “Ryzen AI 300”, and possibly more names.

This impacts all products using iLok, and potentially a much wider suite of programs.

The bug has been reported to AMD and the report number is “00535367” in case you want to contact them directly and reference it. The bug report included sample code that demonstrates the issue.

Ideally AMD will release new firmware that will fix the issue for end users. That is the easiest and fastest path to resolve this issue, but it depends on AMD.

We strongly recommend that you test our plugin using the free trial that we offer. If the trial activates and runs, then the paid version will almost certainly run on the same system.

We will provide an update if this matter is resolved by either AMD or iLok.

Bugs and Feature Requests

You can use the github discussion to lodge bugs or ask question or request features.

github.com/Godlike-Productions/Jupiter8

Jupiter 8 Morph

All panel sliders, knobs and buttons are controllable in real time. The VST features advanced patch management and supports import of SYSEX dumps, import of patches from the synth, and management of patches within the Jupiter's memory.

Currently the plugin is still in development, but it will feature the ability to continuously morph between patches in real time. All of the Jupiter's front panel controls (except some items on the bender panel) will be mappable to hardware controllers through your DAW software.

v1.4.05 Now Released

Version 1.4 is now released

COSMETIC - Refresh button resource missing in Windows VST2 - fixed
CRITICAL - Plugin and application can crash in Windows VST2 during file saving operation. Fixed.
- This is due to an update in ctrlr and a change in the file writing function. An empty file is written, and ctrlr crashes when it attempts to write data to it.
- For the time being, try to avoid saving files. I'll try to get an update out this week that fixes this issue.
- This likely affects all versions of the plugin and appeared when I tried to standardize the build environment between mac and pc.
CRITICAL - Moving patches from Jupiter to Clipboard and then clicking on clipboard listbox causes a crash. - Fixed
COSMETIC - Export to SYSEX Icon only visible every second click - fixed
BUG - Upper and Lower Buttons don't always work, and sometimes Upper and Lower voices change together - Fixed. Ensure that Upper Part is set to channel 1 (Manual tap -> 4, set to 1) and Lower Part is set to channel 1 (Manual tap -> 3, set to 2).
ENHANCEMENT - MIDI, Filepaths and Control Method to be saved into value tree, so will be remembered between sessions. - Complete. Control method not yet saved. I'll try to sort this out in next revision. It's tricky.
ENHANCEMENT - VST3 Author and plugin name is wrong. - fixed
Experimental - Menu can be toggled open and closed. We may remove this option in the future, it's not exactly standard for VST's, but maybe useful for Standalone programs.

Version 1 (Released)

Features

Librarian with comprehensive patch management
Import and Export of Library
Import and Export of SYSEX Files
Naming, Category and Author for patches, both on the JP8 (won't display JP8's screen) and in the plugin
Automatic state saving of the plugin
Jupiter 8 style GUI
Load and recall patches from any location on the JP8
Save Buffer directly to patch location on JP8
Basic Morph Functionality.
Capture Morph State to a patch.
Latest Version 1.3.

Version 2 ( work starting July 2022)

All Version 1 Features, plus:

Ability to freeze parameters from morphing
GUI Update (to support displaying start and end Morph Nodes next to relevant controls)
Limited support for Kenton MIDI Retrofit (8 Real Time Controls Only)
Limited support for Groove Electronics MIDI Retrofit (24 Real Time Controls and Patch Management)
Conversion between Encore and Groove Electronics Patch Dumps (to be confirmed)
Import and Export Morph Files
Support for Acme new CPU board (with 4 banks) - subject to developer.

User Interface

Godlike Productions · Jupiter 8 Morph Demos

Progress Updates

V 1.4

Released

January 20, 2022

Bug Fix - Refresh Icons missing in some builds (Cosmetic) - fixed
Bug Fix - Jupiter 8 Morph crashes when files are saved. This will also crash the host. (Critical) - Fixed.
Bug Fix - Clipboard listbox selection causes a crash after moving from Jupiter (Critical) - Fixed
Bug Fix - Export to SYSEX Icon only visible every second click - fixed
Bug Fix - Upper and Lower buttons don't always work, and sometimes Upper and Lower voices change together. - Should be fixed. Ensure Upper is set to Channel 1 and Lower is set to Channel 2 on the Jupiter 8.
Bug Fix - MIDI Channel selection not always respected - Should be fixed.
Enhancement - MIDI and Filepaths to be saved into value tree, so it will be remembered between sessions - Fixed
Bug Fix - VST3 Author and plugin name is wrong - fixed.
Experimental - Menu can be toggled open and closed. We may remove this option in the future, it's not exactly standard for VST's, but maybe useful for Standalone programs.

V 1.3

December 6, 2021

Bug Fix - Fix Panel to Library/Clipboard/Jupiter Buttons. These buttons currently do nothing. Fixed
Bug Fix - Fix bug related to line 42 when clicking on Library or Clipboard in Patch Panel, while Control Mode is Off. Fixed
Bug Fix - Fix bug that crashes standalone and causes errors on Plugin when Jupiter patch name is changed. Fixed
Bug Fix - Sysex Import preview was out by 1. Import 2 would load Patch 1. Import 1 would cause an error. Fixed.
Bug Fix - If a bank was empty and multiple patches were moved, patches wouldn't always move. This could later cause a crash if an entry in the destination bank was selected. Fixed
Bug Fix - Moving an entire bank to an empty bank would sometimes cause a crash. Fixed.
Bug Fix - Manually saving a single bank would sometimes cause a crash that could take down the host. Fixed
Bug Fix - Manually saving all banks would sometimes cause a crash that could take down the host. Fixed.
Bug Fix - plugin does not autoload banks from previous session. Fixed.
Feature Request - Morph Button removed. The Morph Panel is always visible. Completed
Feature Request - Refresh buttons added to library and clipboard. Completed
Enhancement - Better handling of empty plugin banks. Completed.
Enhancement - The menu has been removed from the top of the Plugins. A MIDI Config button has been added to the Configuration Page, and Zoom In and Out buttons have been added at the bottom. This should provide a simpler way to configure and use the plugin, and get rid of meaningless menu options. We have also changed Ctrlr versions, which gives us a consistent platform between Windows and Mac. There a quite a few changes behind the scenes to make the code compatible. If there are menu items that you were using that you require, please let us know and we'll see if we can add it back in. Zoom defaults to 100% when the plugin is opened. This is so that the plugin can be recovered if Zoom is set to an unusable value. Please let us know if you would prefer that the zoom level be saved instead and we'll try to implement.
Update - There is a new version of the manual, describing the changes, especially to MIDI Config.

V1.2

May 21, 2021

Windows and OSX VST3 Available.
Bug Fix - VST Version does not always allow MIDI functionality.
New Feature - Lower and Upper patch selectors now update the plugin as well as send program change to the Jupiter.
Bug Fix - Morph Background Graphics missing.
Bug Fix - Upper and Lower buttons were not working correctly.
New Feature - Lower program select will be disabled in Whole Mode, and enabled in Split and Layer Mode.
New Feature - Selecting lower program will change the buffer to the lower buffer allowing editing. Occasionally both lights may light. This is cosmetic only and a low priority bug fix. Unfortunately there is currently no way to directly address the other buffer apart from switching between Upper and Lower. Encore Electronics may add this feature in the future.
Bug Fix - When in control mode a dump was being sent every 200ms even if not control was changed.
Bug Fix - some panel controls are iterating when they shouldn't have been.
Bug Fix - Morph Start and End Nodes always defaulted to Sine.
New Feature - Morph now change all panel controls including waveforms (some were previously frozen)
Bug Fix - In the VST Control Mode set all controls to 0. Now implementing fast memoryBlock switching instead of reset and rebuild.

V 1.1

May 12, 2021

Bug Fix - Filter control box causes crash
Bug Fix - Windows VST not sending MIDI
Bug Fix - Bank save methods updated
Bug Fix - Error with default paths. If a file path is not defined, the plugin will now save to the user's document directory.
Bug Fix - Patches were not loading from library, last sync or clipboard properly to the panel.
Bug Fix - Arp Mode Up button was throwing an error.
Bug Fix - Library Author not updating correctly.
Bug Fix - Sysex Import names were not always building correctly.
Bug Fix - Env1 Release Slider wasn't working.

Beta 10

April 30, 2021

Fixed crash in OSX standalone and AU caused by MIDI message conversion
Unhid the Morph Function (previously a hidden Easter Egg)

Progress Update - Librarian

Beta 00

March 7, 2021

Data Structure - rewritten and deployed
Import Sysex - completed and tested
Name patch - completed and tested
Copy patch - completed and tested
Load patch to panel - completed and tested
Load patch direct to buffer - Completed
Load patch to JP8 memory - Completed
Delete patch - completed and tested
Read and assign categories - completed and tested
Read and assign author - completed and tested
Bulk Dumps from JP8 - Completed
Bulk Dumps to JP8 - Completed
Import Defaults - done and tested
Export SYSEX and accessory Table - Completed
Copy Protection - completed and tested
Acknowledgements and Information - Completed
Icon Update - Completed.
Beta finished
Easter Egg - Done - Morph Functionimplemented.

Downloads

Jupiter 8 Morph Manual.pdf Rev 1.3.9 Manual3 MB

FAQ

I can't find the VST3

The VST appears under the manufacturer Instigator, and will be called Ctrlr. If you have Ctrlr installed, or other VST3's made with Ctrlr, only the first one will appear. From version 1.4 onwards, the VST3 will now be found under Godlike Productions in your plugin list.

Jupiter 8 Morph crashes the host on exit

This is a known bug in v1.3 caused by a change in how files are saved. This issue has been resolved in v1.4. A workaround in the meantime is to use v1.2 for editing. While there are bugs, it won't crash your host.

Why aren't there AAX or RTAS versions of the plugins for Pro-Tools?

This is down to Avid. They would not allow access to the SDK to the developer of Ctrlr (which is the framework this plugin in built upon). This situation is unlikely to change in the short term. Your best bet is to use a bridge plugin.

Are 32 bit versions available?

The short answer is no. The long answer is that it is technically possible for us to build them. If you need a 32 bit version, please contact us and we'll discuss your requirements.

Are Linux versions available?

No. It is technically possible to build them, but the demand is low and we don't have a Linux system in the studio to build and test them. If there is enough demand we'll look further into this.

The patch preset buttons don't seem to work

There are no commands available to trigger these buttons remotely, however we can potentially send a sequence of commands to activate arbitary patch presets from the plugin, and we can assign them to the physical buttons on the Jupiter 8. We will try to incorporate this into V2, which will allow you to save more than just 8 patch presets.

Split and Dual Mode don't seem to work

To make these work, ensure that Upper is set to channel 1 and Lower to channel 2. In Dual mode, all notes need to be sent to the upper channel from your DAW, and you will need to select upper and lower buttons to edit the 2 parts seperately. In Split mode, you'll need to send seperate notes for channel 1 and 2. You can only modify the upper or lower, not both. This is a limitation of Encore. Encore's developer is aware of the limitation and if new firmware is ever made, we may get access to the second buffer directly, but it can't currently be supported.

Disclaimer

Features are planned, and not guaranteed. All specifications and planned dates are subject to change.