Acrobatics EGO Pad VST Instrument Legal Notes

The author retains copyright of this software.
You are not allowed to make any copies or redistribute this software including but not limited to making the software available for download or making this software part of a software CD compilation.
You are not allowed to sell or to rent this software.
You are not allowed to reverse engineer this software.
You are allowed to use this software for any artistic application including commercial music production.
This software is provided "as is", without any express or implied warranty. In no event will the author be held liable for any damages arising from the use of this software.
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Support for Acrobatics products: acrobatics@blank-media.it
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Please visit Acrobatics Website: hhtp://www.blank-media.it/acrobatics/index.html
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Acrobatics EGO Pad (VST32 .DLL - version 2.6.0 - 12/06/2025)

EGO software is redesigned for a new era: where the first version sequencer was based on vertical tubes in laser motion view, the V2 also sports a shiny mathematic, clean design based on cells in rows and columns too, carrying on the useful command section to edit/copy/paste/randomize sequences in realtime. EGO audio options were expanded too, allowing modular approach connecting sequences to synthesising features & FX. A 4-track sequences drum section permits to build musical sketches or full songs, with onboard 25 Mbytes of carefully selected samples in 16-steps grids, plus the traditional and modern timelines collection ported from Acrobatics Clave VSTi.

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Copyright notes:
Audio design, GUI interface and development by Andrea Capanna, Rome, Italy
Although deeply improved and optimised, I'd like to mention two important contributions to the EGO project:
sequencer motor originally developed by Tom Bryer, wavetable generator originally developed by Nippy Baynes.
This product by Acrobatics Software 2017-2025, All Rights Reserved.
VST is a registered trademark by Steinberg GmbH.
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Version 2.6.0:

- EGO Pad has now a complete baloon HELP pop-ups in english and italian language. Baloons can be activated in Tweaks page
and - following your mouse moves over the VSTi window - provide full information on EGO Pad parameters and features, just pointing the cursor on'em.

- A GUI keyboard has been added (there were many requests even if I prefer the keyless look, IMHO).

- A rudimentary step-recording has been implemented too, in order to sketch notes in sequences P1, P2 and ARP with your MIDI keyboard or the brand new GUI mini-keyboard as well. Right-clicking on PLAY/STOP button puts EGO Pad in receiving mode, re-clicking splices the notes on tne sequece in view. User has to adjust length of sequence with SHIFT-left clicks ATM, but this could probably be automated, as exactly I figure how, in future updates.

- A MIDI program change receiving capability has been added.

- Programs in bank were expanded from 48 to 64 slots so that the default bank has some empty programs to work and edit without altering the default presets.

- Enhanced Full MIDI Control Map Ch1, with its relative Behringer BCR-2000 setup coming soon in the next update.

- Extra samples folder now features a comprehensive selection of 600 .WAV mono sounds loadable in Samples section.

- Modulation matrix for samples slots 3 & 4 have been finally implemented.

- Master Effects section has been completed. It now sports a total of sixteen different effects for a final touch to the mix. Compressor has been totally redesigned and now works as a charm. Added Dynamic Filtering (master wah) and Dynamic Drive (master distortion). There is also a new Ring Modulation effect, which performs a peculiar cross-modulation between master output and various EGO Pad sample & synthesis parts.

- Added Pitch Echo and Reverse Echo Algorhthms beside the classic echo, two alternative tools for Mixer send processing route. Those new algorhythms are selectable from Send Echo button at the top left of EFX page, opening a new section of the EFX page called "Send Indeep", which also automatically draws a time scheme of the echo settings in use. Pitch Echo has an additional setting of semitones too, which nicely combines with filtered feedbacks. I added a fourth algorhythm slot empty, to be filled in future releases.

- Echo Delay Time parameter now can be showed in milliseconds instead of beat fractions, CTRl-right-clicking on "Pre|Post" button in Mix section.

- EMPIRE producer kindly made for EGO Pad some new additive synthesis organ-like wavetables, to be loaded in WAVE's Freehand tool setted to 256 points (.TXT format).

- Using the same "Resampler" tool, I personally converted many synthesizers' and libraries' waveforms into wavetable format, that you can load into EGO Pad with "Freehand" tool as well. Check inside the "Extra wavetables" folder.

- In Samples section, I added many Drum Kits for Slot 3 when using Wavesequencing feature (CTRL-right click on samples name): "Buddy", "Bongos", "King" kits.

- On GATE track, now CTRL-clicks COMMAND Up & Down allow risening and lowering the G0 sequence even if some steps already reached top or bottom value: with this alternative command, values exceeding the range are flattenend.

- "Average" sequence function has been tossed out from the COMMAND section and substituted with a much more usuful "ITE" (Iterate) function, which copies the content of the sequence in a number of "next cells" equal to the number of steps in use. This function allows doubling the content of the sequence after its last step, for further editing of differences without re-writing the original sequence cell by cell. For obvious reasons iterations are well visible in CELL view (you just need to SHIFT-L-click for extending the active sequence), but iterations are not visible in TUBE view at first glance after giving the ITE command: in that situation it is necessary to use the TUBE view top centre number of steps control to add and watch the new steps created. 

- Parameter 3 (Feedback Amount) in MasterFX Filter 8 (COMB) was not working properly: fixed.

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Version 2.5.2:

- Added a full new set of commands in Freehand wavetable drawing tool. Aside the usual button "Mirror", "Invert" and "Normalize", there's a "Pen" multiple selection for drawing on a guided grid of amplitudes (vertical levels), this allowing to draw discrete blocks; the last button is a sort of "Zone Limiter" for drawing only in discrete horizontal areas too. The most usuful command is certainly the "Smoother" button, which rounds the drawn waveform in progressive steps.
Now drawing good waveforms/wavetables couldn't be easier, and remember you can load/save them to disk too, for later use in other EGO Pad programs.

- Added Conditionals "Chance" factor in the System > Tweaks Page. The conditionals were much appreciated and we did even better; conditionals (purple-signed steps) can be tweaked to happen more or less frequently around equal chance, in negative or positive percentages up to always or down to never. All tweaks are reached hitting CTRL-Left-Mouse Click on "SYS" button on to left of the plugin. This feature helps to fine-tune the random occurring events in a loop, typically when conditional steps are heard too rarely or too often.  

- There's a third option in Scale function (System page). Aside "Equal" and the "User" scales, there's "Preset Scale" where user can change between seven premade renditions of useful scale. Also solved a critical conflict between "Scale" function and low settings of pitch for samples.

- From this version Engine "Time" page shows envelope times and drifting values in milliseconds aside the corresponding fraction of step length. This may appear just a slight graphical improvement but helps making aware of what's exactly happening in the "microscopic time" of a single step in sequence. All times shown update automatically when the BPM of the program (or the DAW when in sync mode) is being altered.

- Added a button for definition of sequences in tubes view. That was previously available only in cells mode, now Right-Clicking on top element changes the definition according to the sequence in view.

- Master channel now sports peak hold information and there's customizable dB attenuation for all channels and echo send effect in "Tweaks" page.

- The number of wavetables points for "JAPAN CRIME" Card set of waves has been increased from 1024 to 2048 points. This change does not effect quite much on already programmed presets sound, but ensures better quality in case of further waveform mangling, i.e. when applying frequency modulation to the WAVE element.

- Added two more sets of pre-arranging of cells in cells mode. SHIFT-Left & SHIFT-Right-clicking for Cell arrangements 6x5 and 9x4.

- There was a stupid bug concercing assigning Modulation Wheel to Wave volume & Samples individual volumes, that eventually produced nasty cracklings. Fixed.

- Modulation Wheel to Sample 4 Wave selection was listed and selectable, but not really implemented yet. Fixed and available for action. Modulation Wheel now can control Samples Conditional Chance factor, from "never" to "always", whereas a centre position of the wheel means no influence applied to the timeline.

- Added 24/48db Butterworth BandPass Filter in Master effect Slot 7. For this selection parameter 3 switch (right-clicks) selects 24db or 48db frequency cut.

- Added "MClipper" (magic clipper) in Master effects. This is totally experimental, quite peculiar way of cutting the signal as it acts on reverse of amplitude, giving the whole program output a cool "out of the blue" effect.

- Added a "Dynamic Drive" Master Effect, tweaked quite differently from the inserts' version, so that it could properly operate for the overall output signal.

- Added "Shuffle Resize" and "Decay Base" options in Modulation Wheel controls. Works well for grooving and sharpening WAVE sequences on the fly.

- Added MIRROR SUBSECTION command, avalable CTRL-LeftClicking on "MIR" command. It mirrors only the first row when in CELLS view or mirrors only the subsection when in TUBES view.

- Added INVERT SUBSECTION command, avalable CTRL-LeftClicking on "INV" command. This one inverts values only for the first row when in CELLS view or inverts only for the subsection when in TUBES view.

- Added some rhythm presets in Samples section, filling-up expecially for prime meters which were sacrified for more attention to common 12 and 16 beats measures. All rhythm presets are accessible CTRL-right-clicking on the steps area, then selecting from the relative pull-down menu.

- Added an indication of rhythm meter in use for the program, appears in Samples section Clockwork view only, at the bottom left.

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Version 2.4.1:

- Added "Crunch" control for rhythm slots S1 & S2, available with CTRL-RIGHT-clicks and sample's name. The effect reads the sample selected in progressively lower resolutions, making the sound rougher for those slots. This is done with just one parameter and recommended for kick and snare, although it can have use for any sample from any family. CTRL-Right clicks on sample name select sample reading hopping (every 2,4,8,16,32 or 64 levels). Since the selection re-construct wavetables in RAM, plugin may idle or slow down for a short while.  

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Version 2.4.0:

- Samples Clockwork graph refined. Now levels are shown using length of rays junctions, and view is able to show Mains positions in a slightly brighter colour.

- Sample 3 Slot Wavesequence function updated. A totally new graphical feedback gives clear view of what's happening with samples and envelope controls are switched automatically to a dedicated FadeIn - Sustain - FadeOut unique softener, to adjust crossfade between pieces in use. The selection of WS sets was updated too, now allowing to select 3 different modes: "Family" plays around EGO families of samples using the classic drum banks; "Drum Set" plays special kits built as drum machines full sets of 24 pieces (and a rest for 25th); in future releases "Wave Set", still empty, will play sets of morphings just as in EMU transwaves, KORG Wavestation or Waldorf synths.

- Added "Grain" option in Samples SLOT 4. This feature was laying under the hood for a long time and finally has been activated experimentally on this release. Grain performs auto-looping of the sample S4, with setting maximum length according to Sample length, envelope length or samples step length, letting user move percentage for granular effect or flam effects. Although simple as it is, intriguing arrangements can be achieved because repeated small pieces of audio can generate quite unpredictable results.

- Added COMB filtering in Master Effects slot 8.

- More automations available on Channels, Echo Routing and Master Effects Parameters. Automations are editable on EFX page and connect many instrument sources of modulation with synth, samples and effects parameters in real time.

- In tracks S2 & S4 levels, RND command is now substituted with SWP, that acts as a non-destructive locations swapper, just as in Sequence track PITCH 2: when executed, positions are changed randomly while respective values are preserved.

- Added samples' first step visual feedback for "Trig" mode. When sample envelope is disabled, EGO plays one time the sample on keypress, then repeats the loop. This is useful for one-shots at note-on and it is now signaled with a grey round rectangle around first step of the track.

- Key command "f" now rotates through Time visuals and Frequency visuals schemes too. An info picture in [.jpg] is included in the pack, showing all key commands available.

- SEQUENCES Cells and Samples Tune info now correctly show Hertz information when global tuning is altered from SYSTEM page setting.

- Added buttons feedback in LCD for main program views, pages and functions: screen will temporary show where you're at.

- TWEAKS page added. It can be reached CTRL-Left clicking on SYS button at top-left of the plugin. Here some low-level paramters of EGO instrument can be adjusted as user desirable. All tweakings are program-dependant and saved within TXT program files.

- Minor adjustments to default programs to match this sofware update.

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Version 2.3.0:

- System page GUI settings are now settable as PROGRAM dependent or UNIVERSAL settings recorded permanently on your hard disk. When activated, universal settings are highlighted in violet and override programs ones: these last are keeped stored in each program memory anyway.  Info messages option follows the rule of priority too so that, i.e., putting off additional informations speeds up browsing of programs.

- There's a new option for general transposition which was requested a couple of times. When in System Page, clicking on the upper part moves to a "Transpose All" setting. That means the transposition will affect samples parts too, where the old normal state "Transpose" affects Wave part only. The old state of setting is still useful to match properly the keyboard triggering of drum parts with wave parts, or when using key-related chorus insert onto Wave part avoid unwanted transposition of accompaining Samples parts.

- Sequence COMMAND "RND" (random) now operates differently in wave's tracks PITCH 1 and PITCH 2: on P1, RND button generates random picthes (triangular algorhythm), while on P2 the same randomize button is actually a new multiple swap algorhythm to exchange values between locations. When creating melodic sequences, User would prefer so adopting sequence P2 as long as he desire, first, to place good notes, then move'em by chance with this special swapping function to find the optimal order of play.

- Moving the pitch wheel on your controller now gives a graphical feedback into system page setting.

- Added some more Modulation Wheel routings (SYSTEM PAGE), now Master Effect slot can be easily addressed with external controllers. The selected EGO parameter will show "MW" instead of the usual indication. When some parameter is addressed this way to Mod Wheel or AfterTouch, new mini-LCDs will light-up properly on the lower part of plugin GUI, beside knobs.

- Included two new wavetable folders for Freehand tool of the wave section.
First additional folder is a set of combinations between math algorhythms.
Second additional folder is a collection of wavetables inspired by AlphaJuno DCO wave generator in 1024 points quality. These WTs are not sampled and much different from the ones in Card section already present: Acrobatics Lab reconstructed them by neat math algorhthms along with some extra combinations not available on the original synthesizer system.

- Wave Freehand tool now shows loaded/saved wavetable name.
 
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Version 2.2.5:

- Fixed bug making possible to change samples envelope parameters while Env display is off.

- Samples multitrack page now has programmable decals and pictures in background.

- More Splash pictures for program infos. Better handling of picture check.

- Definitive full set of sound: 64 presets included with VSTi at loading time and an additional folder with a growing collection of single programs.

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Version 2.2.1:

- Added Conditionals in Samples onsets. The conditional function of steps is pretty useful to add movement to a rhythm track. EGO Pad now allows certain onsets to be performed or not depending on a random casting: CONTROL-clicking on samples onsets switches conditionals on and off, signaling it with a violet labelling.

- Added new CONTROL key option to Samples COMMANDS. This helps managing conditionals: CTRL-left clicks on each command perform a special behaviour depending on single commands. Transport commands act alternatively as separate or linked with conditionals tracks, while transformation commands act alternatively on onsets or conditionals tracks.

- Added a new Multitrack view in ENGINE/Samples. Right-clicking on the main area rotates through samples views. Multitrack is indeed a special page where samples tracks are shown altogether, in 707/626 LCD style. Commands are performed normally for the track marked by the yellow strip, changing in sync with the usual bottom-left SLOT tab that rotates through S1,S2,S3,S4.
This new view system allow moving and modifying the drum loop as a whole too: exclusively when on this view, there are additional COMMANDs operating on ALL tracks, and they can be activated using ALT key+left clicks (levels tracks remain unaltered).

- Added keypress shortcuts to most useful pages and view modes:
"a" or "TAB" switches between SEQUENCES and ENGINE menus.
"f" switches between SEQ/Cells Mode and SEQ/Laser Mode.
"f" also switches between View modes in ENGINE/Samples page.
"o" moves to SEQ/GATE or ENGINE/Time pages.
"p" moves to SEQ/PITCH 1 or ENGINE/Freqency pages.
"k" shows ONSETS when in ENGINE/Samples.
"l" shows LEVELS when in ENGINE/Samples.

- Added AFTERTOUCH MIDI assignments in SYSTEM page. These are exclusively program dependant, and always available regardless of Full MIDI control state of assignement.

- Added PWM. The well known tecnique that modifies timbre variation of synthesized sounds over time was requested by several EGO users, so I was able to add an envelope influence over deviance parameter: decay WAVE envelope can be routed to the amount of detuning when WAVE is in double oscillator mode or, alternatively, decay of envelope controls PW modulation when WAVE is in PWM mode. The EGO PWM actually affects ANY waveform selected from ANY bank, including math generator and drawn waves, combining it with a width modulated pulse. Please note the new parameter might be activated automatically when not in need, so User might have to relaod/check his/her old programs stored with previous versions and decide.

- Expanded internal routing of WAVE frequency modulation so that "Wave FM" can be used as a Samples Mod Matrix source too. Where EGO FM routing already allowed a sophisticated real time convolution modulation between wave and samples, FM is now available for even more intricated combinations with sequenced sample sources and slots 1 & 2 matrix targets.

- Added "Master Insert" slot, featuring lots of different effect processors, applying to the program before finalization stage. There are 4 parameters at most available for each algorhythm, the first one being often the mix percentage between dry and wet signal.

- Samples modulation matrix sources "WAVE Env", "WAVE FM", "VARIO 1" and "VARIO 2" implemented for samples slots S1 and S2. 

- Extra Samples folder filled with 521 monoaural 16bit 44100khz carefully selected samples.

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KNOWN BUGS

- Levels matrix source introduces mutings if assigned to both slot S1 & S2 simultaneuosly. 
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Version 2.1.3:

- Modulation matrix for samples slots 1 & 2 implemented. Routings is a partial work, some destinations reserved but produce no effect. BTW from now on it is possible to route LEVELS track of the sample to VOLUME, and this is crucial to have accents on specific onsets! Samples 3 & 4 does not have matrix modulation, the very last area at the bottom is uneffective and may be activated in the future, or may be used for other synthesizing purpouses.

- Added basic wavesequencing to the sample slot 3. CTRL-right-click on the sample name to activate the special functionality: "Levels" will change to "Indexes", and trimming each index of the S3 track let you play different samples from the selected family.

- Added 8 new samples to family "Claps" and 5 new samples to family "Vocals". The banks are ful-filled now and offers a sufficient palette of sounds. However we included a hundred extra samples in the EGO folder, accessible switching "INT" button to "USER" and loading them clicking on the name area of the slot.

- Fixed enveloping visual, now works even if GATE [G0] sequence is not in use.

- New envelope drifting attack and decay spot areas, shown in [Time, enveloping graph] to make clearer what the drift does to the envelope.

- Added logarhythmic view on FFT analysis graph, Fourier view is much clearer now. User can toggle between linear and logarhythmic frequencies right-clicking on the central area.

- Most enablings of buttons fixed to avoid undesired changes to program.

- Mixer labels fixed, updates correctly when a user sample from disk is selected.

- Added 4 new GUI styles: "Adige", "CX", "Tropical" and "Hurt".

- Revisited all presets to match the new EGO parameters.

- Engine WAVE view now shows magnitude/phase graph along the waveform.

- Added Pre/Post master send option in Mixer section: when altering or muting the master send control, "Pre" acts as a master send so that tails of echoes will be preserve, while "Post" acts as a proper send in order to cut the effect tails instantaneously.

- System page now reports and collects into programs their own syncronization infos along BPMs and sample rate.

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Version 2.1.0:

- Fixed a bug in LP24 Filter Model 2 cutoff, a stupid math error was causing audio spikes when lowest values occurred.
- Optimized "Average" command, now compatible with PITCH 1, PITCH 2, ARP sequences.
- Fixed grid not changing name mode for 6 steps length sampler tracks.
- Corrected grid naming mode 2 (subdivision) for 16 steps tracks, it showed [1.1,1.2,1.3] instead of the correct [1.2,1.3,1.4].
- Added many custom rhythms accessible with CTRL-R-click sampler sequences.
- Fixed a minor graphic glitch affecting Engine sections "Wave" and "Samples".
- Added samples "Clockwork" and "Histogram" visuals inside samples section. Those are accesible right-clicking the main samples slot window. When onto these drawings, a L-click vertical drag zooms in and out the diagram.
- Added Hertz scaling on both WAVE and SAMPLES tuning options.
- Added 8 toms, 8 rimshot and 4 clap samples.
- Fixed Roland TR-808 rim shot sample, there was a CPU-hungry silence at the tail.
- Added extensive external MIDI control.
- Added "Rock" and "Beam" new GUI styles.

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Version 2.0.9:

- Fader sensitivity fixed, it was too luggish, responsiveness now is quite comparable to knobs ones. Added fader bitmaps for each GUI style and corrected numerous graphics glitches.

- New Envelope Drifting functionality: attack and decay delays driftable by positive and negative percentage. A negative value will make drift times converge to normal ones, a positive value will stirr things up to double of extra times setted. The drifitng function is particularly useful to simulate analogue envelope circuitry as each step of the sequence will be slightly different in response. That of course will affect each parameter linked to the envelope, such as FM or filter level.

- Now Timing Visual "Step Inspector" shows tracks assignments and "Loop Inspector" shows current steps in each sequence, also improved Enveloping page in Timing Visuals options.

- Added master realtime level indicator (a mono sum of L+R channels). That helps when master limiter is active and channels volumes are entering the threshold area.

- Added many preset rhythms in sampler section, selectable with CTRL-R-clicking any stepper sequence. It is a huge library of traditional and euclidean rhythms, even bigger than Clave VSTi.

- Now stepper shows grid values for 11 and 15 steps lengths (missing!) and steps lengths of 2,4,6,8 has been corrected too.

- Fixed bug assigning wrong Samples Reducer parameters and causing presets conflict between wave and samples recalls.

- Vario assignment to Samples 1 ans 2 pitches now works effectively, also fixed another bug when no direct target was indicated, varios still modulated last option from menu.

- Arrange operation inhibited when System or Effects page are active in view.

- Fixed all issues concerning sequences copy/paste/insert/preset/recall fuctions. This is great news for those who enjoy EGO command section: now works smoothly and in realtime. Sequences can only be copied from compatible ones of course, so GATE is compatible with CONTROLs 3 & 4 (float values), while ARP is compatible with PICTH 1 & 2 (integer values). An ARP sequence containing values over P1 & P2 range (-12..+12) can be copied and will be executed as well.

- Added Command "Normalise", to expand sequences over their respective entire ranges.

- Added Sampler multi-tracks command operation, resambling Wave's one.

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Version 2.0 beta 8:

This is the first beta available to selected testers, already fully functionable. If you notice some glitches or small bugs please feel free to report.

