VFX Version for Mac

NOTE: Since there's a native AU/VST3 Mac version available now this page only still is there for documentation purposes.

To check out the new native Mac versions goto the demo version page. As a user of this version you should have received a mail on how to get the new native version.

The VFX Edition of OP-X PRO-II was a special workaround version of OP-X PRO-II which could be used in the free WINE based VFX host from SM Pro Audio in Macs before the native Mac versions were available.

Infos about this former version:

- OP-X PRO-II VFX Edition ran in a separate host which is called VFX application
- It could be played like a standalone instrument
- To record its output to a sequencer track one could use SoundFlower

What's the VFX application?

It's a wine based host program from SM Pro Audio that can be used to run windows plugins on intel macs. It's actually the preparation software for their hardware VST players, but too can be used without them as independent host.

This also means that the synth presumably can be directly used in the coming V-Rack. It however won't work in the V-Machine since it has not enough processing power.

Requirements:

- Any intel based mac
- OS-X 10.5.x or higher with installed X11

Installation was as fast and easy as in windows systems.

Demo Version

NOTE: Since there's a native AU and VST3 version for Mac available now this old VFX Edition demo version box only still is there as link source for existing VFX Edition owners if there should be a need to re-download VFX, X11 or SoundFlower. The native AU and VST3 demo version is available on the standard demo version page. Installation guide and links for needed files and apps for the former OP-X PRO-II VFX Edition: 1. Mountain Lion or higher: Download and install the newest X11 / XQuartz as noted below in the important note xquartz.macosforge.org 2. Download and install the newest (20100505 or newer) VFX application from www.smproaudio.com 3. To unblock VFX launch it manually for the first time like this: Open the Finder, goto "Applications", look for the yellow VFX icon. Right-click/Ctrl+Click/Two-Finger-Tap on it so that the context menu is shown, and here choose "Open". 4. Doubleclick the "OP-X PRO-II Demo.vfxlibrary" and import it If doubleclicking the file shouldn't launch VFX and start the import then you also can import it manually: 1. Launch VFX 2. Click on the small white vfx icon on the top left and here choose "File->Import from VFX Library..." and browse to the OP-X PRO-II.vfxlibrary file and import it. If you should have a crash then re-boot your system and try again. If you should have no instrument interface or no sound then check this FAQ article. Video installation guide: IMPORTANT NOTE: In the new Mountain Lion the needed X11 isn't installed by default and older versions left from previous systems may not work. Here are the links to the apple notes and the new version: support.apple.com/kb/HT5293 xquartz.macosforge.org

HOW TO USE SOUNDFLOWER

You can use the free SoundFlower from Cycling74 to route the audio output of VFX to a sequencer to be able to record it on a track. This works flawlessly in realtime.

SoundFlower can be downloaded here:

http://code.google.com/p/soundflower/

There's also a way to route MIDI from your sequencer to VFX so that you first can record and edit a track in MIDI format before recording to audio. This can be done using the virtual IAC MIDI driver in the Audio/MIDI settings of your system.

How to set up everything is described in detail in the pdf installation guide included in the demo version download package based on Leopard refering to Garage Band.

Here's a video how it works with Logic Pro 9 in Mountain Lion:

Here's a video how it works with Ableton Live 9 in Mountain Lion:

IMPORTANT:

Always deactivate record enable on a MIDI track that has the output set to IAC for playback. Otherwise there will arise a feedback loop which can freeze the host.

Logic unfortunately automatically record-enabels tracks on selecting or changing the output. So after switching to IAC for playback immediatly again deactivate record-enable.

Here's the older video still based on Leopard and Garage Band:

If you want to match the tempo of a synced arpeggio to your song then this can be done by adjusting the internal VFX host tempo to the same tempo the song uses:

If you want to create layers, midi channel separated instances or keyboard splits using multiple instances of OP-X PRO-II then watch this video to learn how to do it:

IMPORTANT APPLICATION NOTE

Since the graphical user interface (GUI) is handled over the separate X11 application the GUI has a minimal but noticeable delay over the audio processing engine. Since the two are linked tweaking parameters on the GUI is not as fluent and smooth as it should be.

Even more important is that this behaviour can lead to delayed notes on articulated and fast playing when the keyboard animation is active. That's why it simply can be deactivated with this button:

This setting will stay presistent as long as the plugin is active. Since the keyboard animation is just a nice visual effect and is not really needed we recommend to switch it off by default for better response.

MIDI learn: In order to make settings persistent you need to change VFX banks once. Just create a new empty VFX bank for this. Intense use of controllers however is not recommended since X11 doesn't allow for smooth operation.

NOTE: Since there are native AU and VST3 versions for Mac available now this page about the former VFX Edition workaround version only still is there for documentation purposes. To check out the new native Mac versions visit the demo version page which offers all needed infos.