We did some research ourselves and found out two things:
The MAME engine cannot be compiled for macOS versions older than Big Sur 11.0 due to the requirements of its internal graphics engine, called bgfx. In fact, they say: "The new Intel builds require macOS 14." We have updated the binary with the MAME engine compiled for macOS 11.0 and C++17.
The other thing we found out is that if you compile a universal binary from any code, the minimum OS requirement is 11.0, because that’s when the M1 was released. So no matter what, 11.0 is the minimum OS.
In theory, you can build a pre-Big Sur Intel Mac version of MAME if you remove the graphics engine called bgfx from the code.
Or, if your Mac is stuck on an older OS, my suggestion is to try OpenCore Legacy Patcher to update your Mac to a compatible OS.

 

Last edited: Mar 25, 2026 at 9:57 AM

@itsybitsy_

I can see you updated the Win version of the v0.9.7 beta2 a couple of hours ago. What is the EXACT difference between this and the originally posted v0.9.7 beta2?

(I'm asking about the regular version, not the AVX1 one.)

 

Figured out Ensoniq 32K standard cartridge emulation: .eeprom - rewriteable. .rom, .cart - read only. Renamed button. Some AU specific codes, which are useless now as it's not working good. Why?

 

OMG you compiled an AVX1 version and it is working great. About 1/3 of one core of a i7 [email protected]. Brilliant. No crashes, but now I have to find my way arround the synth....
Thanks a lot!!!!

 

This is a drug. Not an over the counter type. Anyone working on uber sound collection?

 

I have found something like "Ensoniq SD VFX presets", which contains lots of banks. It works with the plugin. And it is more than enough for me, given that there are not many waveforms in the SD-1 ROM, so many presets from those banks sound the-samish after all.

 

Last edited: Mar 26, 2026 at 12:00 AM

Indeed, I think I have it. Great.

 

To our surprise, we managed to compile the Linux version using GitHub Actions.
Since we can't test it ourselves, the task is now up to you:
AVX2 optimized:
https://drive.proton.me/urls/J1T4C3CCRM#jyIgqCKdOVqX
Generic for oldskool CPUs:
https://drive.proton.me/urls/8T9YYYH6JC#7fp3zjUnsypS

 

Last edited: Mar 28, 2026 at 9:51 AM

I could test it. But where do we put the ROMs under Linux?

 

heh, that's a good question :D
is there a documents folder somewhere?
juce::File ensoniqDir = juce::File::getSpecialLocation(juce::File::userDocumentsDirectory).getChildFile("EnsoniqSD1");

 

I'm on Linux Mint 22.3 (+ Reaper for Linux). Yes, there is a folder (created by the OS by default) named Documents. And yes, before you answered I had already placed the EnsoniqSD1 folder (+ its contents) inside that folder. (Actually, I just copied it from my Windows partition.)

Unfortunatelly, Reaper sees the plugin, but I cannot open the editor. And in my FX chain, the Ensoniq SD-1 is marked as unavailable right from the start (that usually happens only when opening a previously saved project on a different system where certain plugins are not installed).

 

Last edited: Mar 27, 2026 at 5:01 PM

oh wow yes, now I also got it working on my old winX

 

FYI: I also tried the Windows version under Linux (via Wine and Yabridge). No success, same symptoms as described above.

 

Can you do the one to put in the ensoniq documents folder that is compresd again ? THANKS only VST NOT TO WORK FOR ME.

 

Yes, we forgot to include the plugins and the SDL3 inside. So these are the latest Linux builds:
AVX2 optimized:
https://drive.proton.me/urls/J1T4C3CCRM#jyIgqCKdOVqX
Generic for oldskool CPUs:
https://drive.proton.me/urls/8T9YYYH6JC#7fp3zjUnsypS

 

AVX1 build working perfectly fine here - i7 3770K... low CPU too

 

Works under Linux now. Thanks!

 

Last edited: Mar 28, 2026 at 4:12 PM

Hi, first of all, thank you for this incredible plugin emulator, I have an Ensoniq VFXsd with a collection of sounds and presets from the old days, they sound great on the SD1.

I just havent been able to get the saving of a preset yet, I quoted your comment on how to make this work, I have a midi controller, I am not able to assign any automation to any SD1 button, I am missing something probably, using Studio One 6 on MacOS here. Mouse doesnt show any available automation control when I click a button.
Thank you for any guidance.

 

https://www.polynominal.com/ensoniq-sd1/ensoniq-sd1-manual.pdf

 

Last edited: Mar 29, 2026 at 4:03 PM

I cant find any sd1 disk image, any help?
Thanks in advance!!!