Discovery Pro Version History

Discovery Pro 8.8.0

Version 8.8.0 delivers significant performance optimizations, enhanced oscillator interpolation quality, and improved SysEx import capabilities, bringing Discovery Pro to new heights of sound quality and efficiency.

• VA Oscillator Interpolation Engine Upgrade

  • Upgraded from linear to cubic interpolation using optimized Lagrange polynomials for superior audio quality

  • Implemented waveform-specific interpolation: linear for sine (70% faster), quintic for saw/square (better anti-aliasing), cubic for others

  • Added FMA (Fused Multiply-Add) optimizations for all interpolation calculations

  • Enhanced prefetching strategy optimized for desktop CPUs with larger cache hierarchies

  • Significant reduction in aliasing artifacts, especially noticeable in high-frequency content

• Performance Optimizations

  • Optimized Tanh saturation implementation: eliminated floor overhead, added precomputed scale constants

  • Enhanced main filter DSP with FMA optimizations and branchless operations

  • Added new compiler optimization flags for Windows, macOS, and Linux builds

  • Implemented frame pointer optimizations for better performance

  • Improved ARM SIMD performance

• Nord Lead 2/2x Import Enhancements

  • Added support for Nord Lead 2/2x Performance program import (4-layer programs)

  • Performance programs automatically configure with dual keysplit mode (AB/CD split)

  • Multi-program SysEx files now prompt for bank reset with proper confirmation

  • Improved SysEx parsing with better error handling and file structure validation

• Markov Arpeggiator Enhancements

  • Enhanced Markov chain arpeggiator with user input learning capabilities

  • Added multi-scale pattern recognition (short, medium, and long patterns)

  • Implemented velocity and timing pattern learning from user performance

  • Improved pattern blending based on context and number of active notes

This release represents a major advancement in Discovery Pro's audio engine, delivering both superior sound quality through advanced interpolation algorithms and significantly improved performance through extensive optimization work across all platforms.

Discovery Pro 8.7.6

Version 8.7.6 addresses stability issues and fixes delay timing inconsistencies across different oversampling rates.

• Stability Fixes

  • Fixed previous build VST2/VST3 crash upon initialization

  • Pre-initialize all oversamplers during audio preparation to prevent real-time memory allocation

  • Eliminated unsafe oversampler resets during audio processing that could cause crashes

  • Fixed oversampling configuration persistence issues that reset settings unexpectedly

• Delay Improvements

  • Fixed delay timing inconsistencies across all oversampling rates (2x, 4x, 8x)

  • Corrected synced delay calculations to maintain consistent musical timing

  • Increased delay buffer size 4x to improve maximum delay times at higher oversampling rates

  • Enhanced delay time clamping for larger buffer capacity

This update resolves stability issues and significantly improves delay effect consistency, especially important for users working with high-quality oversampling modes.

Discovery Pro 8.7.5

Version 8.7.5 is a focused performance update that reverts to a high-performance Aligned Array implementation optimized for audio processing.

• Performance Optimization

  • Simplified high-performance AlignedArray implementation for improved audio thread performance

  • Removed thread synchronization overhead from memory allocation routines

  • Fixed Mac compatibility issues with memory alignment

  • Streamlined memory management for reduced CPU overhead during audio processing

• Critical Bug Fixes

  • Fixed bounce oversampling crashes: Resolved heap corruption issues that occurred during bounce processing by eliminating memory allocation on the audio thread

  • Improved oversampling stability: Prevented oversampler destruction crashes by maintaining proper object lifecycle management

  • Enhanced bounce mode transitions: Added robust buffer pre-allocation to avoid runtime memory issues when switching between realtime and bounce modes

  • Fixed oversampling state management: Properly restore playback oversampling settings after exiting bounce mode

  • Added memory safety checks: Implemented null pointer protection and allocation success validation in AlignedArray

This performance-focused release optimizes memory management for better real-time audio processing, particularly benefiting users with Apple and high-performance audio workflows. The bounce processing stability improvements ensure reliable operation during extended rendering sessions with various oversampling configurations.

Discovery Pro 8.7.4

Version 8.7.4 is a comprehensive maintenance update that introduces real-time envelope control, optimizes performance, and resolves numerous compatibility and stability issues.

• Real-time Envelope Control

  • Added Nord-style real-time envelope updates supporting UI controls, automation, MIDI CC, mod wheel, and aftertouch

  • Fixed aftertouch scaling

• Performance & Memory Optimizations

  • Enhanced wavetable performance with 64-byte aligned wavetables and thread-safe array implementation

  • New SIMD optimized wave resampling functionality

  • Corrected wavetable generation with improved bounds checking

• Code Quality & Compatibility Improvements

  • Fixed deprecated Font constructors usage

  • Resolved integer precision loss warnings with proper static cast implementations

  • Added virtual destructor to Discovery Scalable Object class

  • Fixed field initialization order in some DSP classes

  • Corrected integer overflow WaveVoice.h offset calculation

  • Enhanced InputStreams fread conversion to prevent precision loss

This maintenance release significantly improves code quality, performance, and compatibility while introducing enhanced real-time control capabilities for envelope parameters.

Discovery Pro 8.7.3

Version 8.7.3 is a critical stability update that resolves bounce/offline rendering crashes and memory corruption issues during oversampled processing.

• Bounce/Offline Rendering Fixes

  • Fixed critical memory alignment corruption during bounce/offline processing that caused crashes

  • Resolved race conditions in oversampling mode transitions between realtime and non-realtime processing

  • Enhanced buffer management to prevent memory corruption during high oversampling rates

  • Improved error handling and fallback mechanisms for oversampler initialization failures

• Memory Management Improvements

  • Pre-allocate aligned audio buffers to avoid memory allocation during audio processing

  • Added bounds checking to prevent buffer overruns during oversampled processing

  • Enhanced pointer alignment validation before memory deallocation

  • Maintained proper alignment of layer buffers throughout oversampling operations

• Oversampling Engine Stability

  • Eliminated unsafe pointer switching that could cause memory corruption

  • Improved decimation process for oversampled layer data

  • Enhanced exception handling for oversampler operations

  • Streamlined oversampling mode detection and configuration

This maintenance release significantly improves the reliability of bounce operations and offline rendering, especially when using higher oversampling rates. Critical for users experiencing crashes during audio export or offline processing.

Discovery Pro 8.7.2

Version 8.7.2 is a critical stability update that addresses memory alignment crashes and resource cleanup issues on macOS and Linux systems.

• Memory Alignment Fixes

  • Fixed memory alignment crashes on macOS/Linux by replacing malloc with posix_memalign for proper memory alignment

  • Added comprehensive thread safety with mutex protection for aligned array operations

  • Enhanced AlignedArray class with move constructors, copy operators, and proper RAII memory management

  • Added alignment validation and error checking for memory allocation failures

• Resource Management Improvements

  • Fixed NULL pointer dereference crash by implementing proper releaseResources cleanup

  • Added comprehensive audio buffer cleanup and voice state reset on plugin shutdown

  • Enhanced oversampler and effects cleanup with proper resource deallocation

  • Improved MIDI buffer and timer management during resource release

• Quick Stack Mode Fix

  • Fixed master volume not being restored when exiting Quick Stack mode

This maintenance release significantly improves stability and reliability, especially on macOS and Linux platforms, addressing critical memory management issues that could cause crashes during plugin initialization and shutdown.

Discovery Pro 8.7.1

Version 8.7.1 is a focused update that addresses layer management functionality and improves the user experience with bank organization and creation.

• Fixed layer on/off clicking button logic with improved selection and toggle behavior

• Bank dropdown now displays factory filenames first in the list

• Added File > New Bank function for creating empty bank files

This maintenance release focuses on workflow improvements and user interface refinements, making layer management more predictable and bank organization more efficient.

Discovery Pro 8.7.0

Version 8.7 introduces a complete overhaul of the audio processing engine with significant improvements to sound quality, stability, and performance.

• Oversampling Engine Overhaul

  • Completely rebuilt oversampling architecture using advanced IIR/FIR filters

  • Added 8x oversampling mode for ultimate audio quality

  • Full migration to new AudioBuffer code for modern, robust audio processing

  • Removed legacy oversampling code and 2x undersampling mode for consistent quality

  • Added "Same as Playback" option for Bounce Quality settings

• Audio Quality Improvements

  • Enhanced anti-aliasing performance for distortion and waveshaping

  • Significantly reduced digital artifacts, especially at frequency extremes

  • Improved noise oscillator with compensation for different oversampling rates

  • Fixed FM modulation rate inconsistency across oversampling modes

  • Updated limiter to properly adjust frequency bands based on sample rate

  • More accurate stereo imaging and better transient response

• Performance Optimizations

  • Enhanced buffer handling for more efficient memory usage

  • Modernized MIDI processing code with range-based loops

  • Updated AudioPlayHead position handling to use modern API

• Interface & Control Improvements

  • Fixed morph bitmap display for knobs at min/max position

  • Added native macOS dialog for preset renaming with proper character limit enforcement

  • Reorganized Playback and Bounce oversampling menus with logical grouping

This release represents a significant advancement in Discovery Pro's audio engine technology, providing cleaner sound, better stability, and improved performance across all modern digital audio workstations.

Discovery Pro 8.6.0

Version 8.6.0 brings significant memory optimizations and performance improvements through advanced wavetable handling and enhanced DSP processing.

• Memory Optimizations

  • Moved large wavetable arrays from stack to heap memory using std::unique_ptr to avoid stack overflow issues.

  • Added wavetable 64-byte alignment for optimal cache line usage.

  • Implemented prefetching for better cache performance.

• Performance Improvements

  • Replaced bubble sort with std::sort for faster MIDI event processing.

  • Optimized wavetable linear interpolation formula.

  • Added branchless operation for oscillator shape functions.

  • Implemented function branchless lookup using bit manipulation.

  • Added compiler optimizations.

• Bug Fixes

  • Fixed wavetable file loading and regeneration.

  • Corrected MIDI pitch wheel handling to properly process 14-bit values.

Discovery Pro 8.5.5

Version 8.5.5 focuses on performance optimizations and enhanced bounce processing capabilities.

• Performance Optimizations

  • Implemented compiler optimization flags for improved processing efficiency.

  • Enhanced DSP core calculations resulting in approximately 15% lower CPU usage.

• Playback Quality Enhancements

  • Added separate oversampling configuration for Bounce operations.

Discovery Pro 8.5.4

Version 8.5.4 enhances the user interface and expands SFZ support with improved parser optimizations.

• Improvements & SFZ Enhancements

  • Redesigned active gate/mod LED position for better visibility.

  • Fixed Tick to Grid function for more accurate grid interactions.

  • Added basic SFZ instrument collection.

  • Added support for SFZ location subfolders.

  • Implemented SFZ parser optimizations for better performance.

  • Improved SFZ parsing capabilities.

  • Fixed SFZ wavebank menu: Now displays as submenu instead of flat item.

Discovery Pro 8.5.3

Version 8.5.3 introduces preliminary SFZ support and resolves critical memory and performance issues.

• Improvements & Fixes

  • Implemented preliminary SFZ support (Waves > SFZ folder).

  • Fixed mono play mode clicks.

  • Fixed memory leaks related to DWB processing and improper File path handling in Wave Player.

  • Consistently select first wave when switching wave banks.

  • WavePlayer DWB caching.

  • Optimized DWB loading with 256KB buffers and caching for 5-20MB DWB files.

  • Enhanced unison voice allocation in mono/legato mode for consistent detune ordering.

Discovery Pro 8.5.2

Version 8.5.2 brings advanced microtuning support and significant audio processing optimizations.

• Tuning & Performance Enhancements

  • Added MTS-ESP support for microtuning. Status available at Help Menu.

  • New Unison detune settings at Voices LED or MENU > Edit > Config, modeled from the Nord Lead 2 detune modes.

• UI & System Improvements

  • Improved activation dialog and user interface.

• Audio Processing Optimizations

  • Optimized New Limiter function with faster DSP processing.

  • Improved oversampling with critical fix for proper filter coefficients across all modes.

Discovery Pro 8.5.1 Release 2

Version 8.5.1 Release 2 focuses on UI enhancements and improved layer management functionality.

• UI & Usability Enhancements

  • Fixed and enhanced layer solo/unsolo behavior when using Control/Option + Layer button.

  • Fixed layer solo label click response in macOS Audio Units build.

  • Fixed loop points in program 40 Resonance of Factory R6.dwb bank.

• Audio Processing & Performance Improvements

  • Added Limiter analog-style soft clipping and RMS-based gain control.

Discovery Pro 8.5.1

Version 8.5.1 introduces Quick Stack Edit Mode and a new Advanced Limiter with multi-band processing capabilities.

• UI & Usability Enhancements

  • New Quick Stack Edit Mode recall: Press Shift + Layer button to enter Quick Stack edit mode.

  • Quick Stack now remains in the same layer after exit.

  • Key and left-click button modifiers have been added for the Amp Limiter and Filter Distortion, enabling multi-layer control (Control/Option key) and reverse cycling (Shift key).

  • Clickable KeySplit Editor label.

  • Updated LCD display for Oscillator Modulation Mode, Amplitude Envelope Shape, and Filter Keyboard Track buttons.

• Audio Processing & Performance Improvements

  • New Advanced Limiter featuring multi-band processing, adaptive attack and release times, per-band envelope tracking, and harmonic enhancement for transparent peak control. It splits the signal into low, mid, and high frequency bands, applying warmth through soft clipping and frequency-dependent harmonics.

  • Processor host synchronization for all program change operations.

  • Major framework update.

• Updated [11] Alan Marcero bank, powered by a meticulously balanced collection of 128 presets, this sound bank provides the perfect ratio of essential sounds. Featuring 25 earth-moving basses, 40 versatile leads, 15 lush pads, 44 precision-crafted plucks, and 4 classic acid-inspired sounds.

Discovery Pro 8.5

Version 8.5 enhances voice-stealing performance, improves audio quality, and strengthens license validation.

• Enhanced Voice-Stealing Performance

  • Improved voice allocation by prioritizing unused or released voices while protecting active ones, resulting in smoother note transitions and better handling of unison and layer settings.

• Smoother Playback

  • Fixed wave engine playback clicks for a more seamless audio experience.

• VA Oscillator Improvements

  • Enhanced label handling and LED click functionality for a more intuitive user interface.

• GUI Refinement

  • Fully refactored internal GUI code for improved stability and maintainability.

• Stronger License Validation

  • Improved handling of license files by ensuring directories exist, checking file permissions before saving, and verifying readability during loading.

• Tutorial Component Updates

  • Enhanced the DiscoveryTutorialComponent to provide clearer user guidance.

• Streamlined MIDI Management

  • Updated MIDI menu creation for faster and more efficient setup.

• New Program Randomization

  • Added new function for randomizing programs directly from disk folders.

• Preset Save Fixes

  • Addressed warnings related to saving XML presets to ensure smooth operation.

• Audio Processing Update

  • Replaced deprecated functions in processBlock for improved compatibility and performance.

• Modernized Codebase

  • Replaced outdated functions like sprintf and roundFloatToInt with modern alternatives.

• Updated Math Constants

  • Improved handling of constants like PI and rounding functions for more accurate calculations.

• Refactored Code Patterns

  • Simplified and modernized internal code, including improvements to memory management with std::unique_ptr.

Discovery Pro 8.4.4

Version 8.4.4 introduces a new Markov Chain Arpeggiator mode and enhances VA oscillator functionality with improved click logic.

• New Markov Chain Arpeggiator Mode

  • This mode enhances random arpeggiation by using machine learning techniques. It creates evolving musical patterns through a dynamic probability matrix that learns from its own note selections, generating sequences that are both unpredictable and musically coherent. Each note influences future choices, resulting in unique and captivating arpeggios.

• Enhanced VA Oscillator Label and LED Click Logic

  • The LED Click and Label Shift+Click now toggle the oscillator On/Off and remember the last On state. When the label is clicked, if the oscillator is Off, it turns On to the last state. If the oscillator is already On, clicking the label toggles between Free Run and Retrig Phase modes. The last On state is always updated after changes, ensuring a seamless user experience.

• Fixed WAVE Engine Loop Clicks

  • The WAVE engine has been refactored with up-to-date and improved DSP techniques, eliminating unwanted loop clicks and enhancing overall audio quality.

• Updated PI Values in DSP

  • To further improve audio quality and precision, the PI values used in the DSP calculations have been updated to long doubles, ensuring more accurate mathematical operations and smoother sound generation.

• Updated XML Save Functions

  • The XML save functions have been updated to ensure compatibility, reliability, and efficient data management when saving and loading presets and settings.

• Refactored Rounding Integer Functions

  • We have refactored some rounding integer functions to improve efficiency, resulting in faster processing and smoother overall performance.

Discovery Pro 8.4.3

Version 8.4.3 enhances envelope handling and improves portamento functionality in mono mode.

• Enhanced envelope handling to ensure filter and amp envelopes continue smoothly from the previous note's envelope point, resolving issues with incorrect retriggering. Additionally, portamento (glide) functionality in mono mode has been improved, particularly with the auto feature enabled. Now, portamento is correctly applied during legato play, ensuring seamless transitions between notes.

Discovery Pro 8.4.2

Version 8.4.2 resolves 2x oversampling sound issues and enhances performance through optimizations.

• Resolved 2x oversampling sound issues and enhanced performance through unrolled loop optimization.

Discovery Pro 8.4.1

Version 8.4.1 improves plugin GUI load times and fixes oversampler initialization issues.

• Improved plugin GUI load times by optimizing the GUI initialization.

• Fixed an issue with the oversampler initialization.

Discovery Pro 8.4

Version 8.4 brings major performance optimizations with SIMD processing and introduces 4x oversampling for enhanced audio fidelity.

• Oscillator Optimizations

  • Optimized the filter and oscillator code for enhanced performance on x86 processors, with substantial performance improvements on Apple ARM processors.

• Wave Oscillator Optimization

  • Around 30% faster processing by moving from scalar to SIMD processing. This includes new NEON code for ARM processors and optimized SSE4.1 instructions for faster, more efficient performance.

• Filter Improvements

  • Introduced a more optimized tangent plot using scalar optimizations, effectively reducing CPU load and improving efficiency.

• 4x Oversampling

  • Implemented 4x oversampling to significantly enhance audio fidelity, ensuring superior sound quality for the end user.

• New Bounce Oversampling Configuration

  • Added a Bounce.xml file for configuring oversampling during offline rendering. The default is set to 4x oversampling for optimal sound quality, but it can be adjusted to lower settings if necessary. This file is located in the Documents > discoDSP > Discovery Pro > Config folder.

• New Default Settings

  • Configured to 16 voices and 2x oversampling. Users can change this through the Edit Menu or by clicking the Voices LCD.

• Updated LCD Status Sections

  • Display the current waveform and destination for LFO1, Arp Mode, and destination for LFO2/Arp, and the waveform for both Oscillator 1 and 2 when buttons or LEDs are pressed.

• 2x Undersampling Improvements

  • Fixed gain compensation issue.

Discovery Pro 8.3

Version 8.3 introduces a new modulation gate randomizer and House matrix gate randomization for enhanced rhythmic patterns.

• New Modulation Gate Randomizer

  • Introduced a new modulation gate randomizer function that incorporates waveform-based oscillations. This enhancement allows for more dynamic and varied rhythmic patterns by applying different waveforms (sine, square, triangle, sawtooth) to the modulation gates. The waveform type and phase are randomly selected, generating oscillating values that fluctuate between 0 and 1, resulting in a richer and more intricate rhythmic experience.

• New House Matrix Gate Randomization

  • In addition to the existing Jazz and Techno patterns, added a new House matrix gate randomization type. This pattern is specifically tailored to create more dynamic and interesting transitions, which are essential for house music. The House matrix features higher probabilities for staying in the same state or transitioning to adjacent states, promoting a smoother and more continuous rhythmic flow typical of house music, enhancing the overall musicality and feel of the generated patterns.

• Enhanced Panning LCD Display

  • The panning LCD display has been updated to show musical note values based on tick values. Now, when you adjust the panning, the display will show musical notes like 1/8, Dotted 1/8, 1/4, and so on. For longer durations, it will show bars (e.g., 3.0 Bars).

Discovery Pro 8.2

Version 8.2 eliminates PADSynth rendering clicks and enhances compatibility with third-party samplers.

• PADSynth clicks during rendering have been eliminated by implementing a 4-sample fade-in and fade-out, ensuring smoother looping.

• The rendering time for PADSynth has been extended from 6 to 24 seconds, allowing for longer and more complex sounds.

• PADSynth files now include "loop enabled" and "loop point" tags in the SFZ format, improving compatibility with a wider range of third-party samplers, such as the Bliss sampler. This update aims at broadening PADSynth's usability across different digital audio workstations and sampler platforms.

• To ensure a fresh cache and optimal performance, the installation process now removes specific folders related to PADSynth's cache.

• MIDI Out functionality has been disabled when using ProTools to avoid conflicts with the new MIDI FX plugin type, enhancing stability and compatibility.

• The default number of voices has been increased to 64, allowing for richer and more complex soundscapes.

• The Popup Menu has been revamped, featuring a new, sleek black translucent background with rounded corners for a more modern and aesthetically pleasing user interface.

• Cursor behavior has been enhanced to change dynamically to a pointer in less obvious interactive areas, improving user interaction and navigation clarity.

• More robust online activation which handles some rare issues in Windows systems.

• Minor internal fixes and enhancements.

Discovery Pro 8.1

Version 8.1 adds the Discovery Pro Sound Expansion with 330 high-quality commercial presets and introduces Linux build support.

• Added Discovery Pro Sound Expansion

  • This expansion enriches your sound library with 330 high-quality commercial presets, offering a wide range of sonic possibilities. Details of the included banks are as follows:

  • Essentials Sound Bank: A versatile collection featuring 5 Sequences, 13 Basses, 26 Leads, 18 Pads, and 2 Percussion Kits.

  • Leading Sound Bank: A comprehensive set of 128 presets, including gated sounds, leads, pads, basses, keys, and effects.

  • Pad Love Sound Bank: A specialized selection of 80 presets, dedicated entirely to pad sounds.

  • Reaching The Stars Bank: An exclusive bank with 58 top presets for Discovery Pro, meticulously crafted by Mario Fest.

• Linux build.

• Relocated new VA Oscillator's HD Waves resources, resulting in a much smaller installer.

Discovery Pro 8.0

Version 8.0 represents a major milestone with significant DSP improvements, enhanced preset management, and expanded sound library capabilities.

• DSP Improvements

  • Refined Oscillators: Experience enhanced detail in oscillators, with 2X improvement in both low and high frequencies.

  • Advanced Distortion Modes: Enjoy 4X more precise distortion modes for added depth and character in sounds.

  • Analog-Sounding Filters: Moog XY filters updated to provide 2X more analog-like warmth and texture.

• Enhanced Preset Management with Disk Mode

  • New Disk Mode for easier browsing of presets and folders located in Documents > discoDSP > Discovery Pro > Presets > Programs.

  • Switch between Bank and Disk Mode by clicking the BNK letter on the LCD.

  • New file preset export functions available in the Edit menu.

  • Expanded Preset Library offering a wide range of new presets to inspire and enhance musical creativity.

• Other Improvements

  • Tick to Grid Value Conversion: Synced Tick values are now also displayed as grid values for a more traditional musical display, such as pentagram note bars.

  • Framework update.

  • Streamlined EDIT menu.

  • Discovery Pro 8 is fully compatible with version 7. Projects and presets from previous versions will load seamlessly without any issues.