A lot of great new features which blowup GForce's drum machines recreations:

"The legend continues with VPROM 3.0! guaranteed with no fake samples, no EQ, no FX -uncut."

New in VPROM 3.0:

• New Mac VST3 & AU Support – Now fully compatible with Apple Silicon (M1/M2+), offering native performance. Built as a "Universal 2" plugin, meaning both VST3 and AU work seamlessly on Intel x86-64 and ARM64 Macs.
• Built-in WAV Resampler & EPROM Burner – Convert, preview, and load samples effortlessly. Import any WAV file and resample it (or keep it as-is) at ~27kHz with input stage emulation and µLaw 8-bit compression—just like the original hardware. Generates fully compatible .bin EPROM images.
• Custom EPROM Manager – Advanced visualization, file handling, internal browser, and improved organization for easier workflow.
• Real-Time µLaw DAC Curve Response Control – Fine-tune how your samples are decompressed for precise sound shaping. The AM6070 DAC chips used a built-in µLaw transfer function to decode and replay sound data. Now, you can subtly match real-world DAC chip variations—or push the transfer function further for creative sound design. This feature acts like a hybrid transient designer & distortion unit when dialed in aggressively.
• Enhanced Mixer – Greater flexibility with multi-output routing and improved equal-power panning. Choose from three routing modes:

1. Single - Main Mix : All voices are processed through the internal mixer (with volume, pan, etc.) and sent to the **Main Stereo Output**. Dedicated outputs are disabled.
2. Multi Post-Mixer : All voices still pass through the internal mixer, but instead of going to the Main Stereo Output, they are routed to their own dedicated stereo outputs. The Main Stereo Output is disabled in this mode.
3. Multi Pre-Mixer: A hybrid mode where voices are sent **both** to the Main Stereo Output (post-mixer) and their dedicated outputs (pre-mixer, direct signal). This allows external processing while keeping a full internal mix or a quick sub mix.

• Revamped GUI & Skins – New LM1, DMX, and Linndrum skins with HD graphics, vector knobs, full EPROM Kit View, and an enhanced CEM filters view. GUI now adapts to different DPI sizes for sharper visuals and UI scaling.
• New 48 PPQN Internal Clock – Recreates the subtle groove and timing feel of vintage drum machines. Unlike modern clocks (~960 PPQN), this emulation locks trigger events to a true vintage-style clock pulse synced to your DAW. The effect is subtle but noticeable, especially on swung or loose beats.
• Real-Time Clock Drift – Adds organic, human-like timing imperfections. Recreates the natural clock drift found in vintage drum machines, where internal clocks were never perfectly stable. Unlike the subtle effect of the 48 PPQN clock, this feature introduces a more noticeable, organic timing shift, mimicking the imperfections of classic hardware. With a tweakable drift range from 1ms to 40ms, you can achieve anything from a realistic analog-style drift to a more exaggerated laid-back groove, similar to a drummer playing with extreme looseness and feel.
• Expanded Voice Card Features – New DMX-based controls for Bass, Congas, Toms, Ext1, and Ext2. CEM filters now offer full control over envelope response and decay, along with newly introduced VCA settings. "Expert Mode" unlocks advanced sound tweaking, while "Legacy Mode" preserves the simpler v2.0 pulse control. The optional VCA envelope introduced in VPROM 3.0 is crucial for accurately reproducing certain DMX sounds, especially the Bass Drum.
• Advanced EPROM Playback Controls – Real-time control over EPROM reading, including sample start, length, and loop modes. You might be familiar with the LM1 hi-hat, which constantly loops and is shaped by a VCA. In VPROM 3.0, this behavior can now be applied to other voices. You can also modify loop behavior to either start in sync with triggers or run continuously, even for the hi-hat. By setting a short length (around 123 samples) and moving the start point, you can achieve a wavetable-like effect. While start and length modulation is possible, it does not operate at audio rate.
• New Drum Voice: "Ext2" – Expands the total drum kit to 14 sounds.
• New Master Controls – Master tuning & volume knobs for greater global control.
• New Velocity Mode: "Original 2" – An alternative to the classic "Original" mode with a different approach to velocity handling. Similar to the "Original" mode, where velocity determines whether a sound plays at full or half volume. However, in "Original 2," the volume change is controlled by the trigger number itself. Each trigger has two assigned MIDI notes—one plays at full volume, and the other at half volume.
• Enhanced Oversampling – New "X16 ALL" mode processes all 14 EPROM outputs at 16x oversampling. Previously, only high-frequency voices were processed at X16, but now all voices can benefit from this setting for greater flexibility when using custom EPROM.
• Compatibility with VPROM v2.0 Presets – Load your existing .fxb presets, including ones with custom EPROMs, directly into VPROM 3.0.
• New "EPROM Kit" Format – A new way to save and recall full drum kits independently of plugin presets. A .VpromKit file allows you to store and reload a complete custom EPROM drum set without saving a full plugin preset. This lightweight format only stores EPROM file paths and their assignation, no other settings are saved, making it easy to organize and reuse drum kits across projects without changing your current tuning or mix.
• Additional Sound Tweaks – Fine-tune open hi-hat decay and enable dynamic hi-hat tuning.
• Bug Fixes – The infamous VST3 bug is now gone, no more reset or crashes.
• Removed: VST2 & 32-bit Support – VPROM 3.0 is now **64-bit only** (VST3/AU).
• Does NOT Replace VPROM v2.0 – VPROM 3.0 installs alongside v2.0 with its own plugin ID, ensuring backward compatibility with existing projects.

Best features to me: 48 PPQN resolution plus real-time Clock Drift options (parts of the legendary LM-1 / Linndrum / DMX groove).

Considering its functionalities, sound quality, fairly price and the amount of one man work, let's hope it will not be cracked anytime soon.

Source:
https://www.alyjameslab.com/alyjameslabvprom.html

Videos:
https://www.instagram.com/alyjameslab?igsh=MWt1ZXl2bmR3N2ZiNQ==

 

Last edited: Feb 21, 2025 at 3:20 PM

I can't stand this guys business model. Every update is paid. Even for bugs. Hope we see it on sister.

 

He doesn't have any business model. It's a labor of love in the first place. This guy's prices are so low in comparison of other "wanabee" recreations based on free (and fake) samples.
Swap to this POV, it will help...

EDIT: If a company like Arturia came out with a similar product, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't sell it for less than $100.

 

Last edited: Feb 21, 2025 at 3:40 PM

This is incorrect stating "every update is paid". I have and still do receive many updates by email for free and he's a great guy doing everything by himself and soooo very talented.

 

My jaw dropped to the floor when I read about this in the manual for the current version. Lightbulb moment: 'So that's why merely sampling the original sounds never sounded quite like the old-school records...' I don't know if this is widely known, but the truth of the matter is that Roger Linn himself was proven wrong by Aly James. Crazy stuff. This guy is one of the most dedicated developers out there. Knowledge, taste, skill and unparalleled demand for excellence. This Real-Time Clock Drift looks golden, too.

 

Aly James was in close contact with Roger Linn when he started developing the first version of VProm (VLinn). I'm not aware of what happened (or went wrong) after that, but it seems that a copyright issue ruined something... Forat claimed to be the copyright owner of Linn's samples and asked Electrongate to delete all Linn EPROMS : http://www.electrongate.com/dmxfiles/linn/index.html

I remember that in their first exchanges published by Aly, Roger said that the "magical groove" was coming from the low resolution (48 PPQN).

 

every update is paid. Not a single update from him has ever been free. I have the receipts to prove it.

 

Last edited: Feb 21, 2025 at 8:03 PM

I don't want to check, but as I remember, it was the same for me.

Did someone get an email about this update? I didn't get one yet.

 

I paid for a recent upgrade and never got an email back. It said on the website it could take up to 48 hours to process but still nothing, nothing in Junk either, emailed twice about it and never got a reply back...

Shocking.... been a customer since VPROM first launched.

 

Last edited: Feb 21, 2025 at 8:38 PM

How did you paid for an upgrade which is not yet on sale?

 

Anyone knows how hard it is for serious small business software developers to handle all the changing frameworks and OSs nowadays? Seems if you'd buy a car, all licenses, checks, tyres, oil or filter changes had to be free for a life time or you would accuse the manufacturer to rip you off with a criminal business model.

 

Now that’s a good question I have the PayPal receipt but unfortunately I never got an email from Ally to be able to answer it.

I am questioning if it was v3 or an upgrade from one of my 2.*

 

That's strange... I bet it's was a previous update because V3 is not on sale yet. Did you send the PayPal proof to Aly? This guy sale to very well known artists (like The Weeknd), so I guess he wouldn't take the risk to screw anyone.

 

You have a strange combination of things going on in the thread. You are advertising someone else's product here, saying you hope it doesn't get cracked, but at the same time saying negative things about "Wannabe" other emulations from long-standing other developers who have years long reputable businesses whose products are also routinely cracked within a day, and some of whom give free or very cheap upgrade prices for new full version number upgrades. I guess it just sounds counterproductive to me, especially naming specific other products.

 

Well, I preferred not to go into details, but since you ask me...

I've mentioned GForce's drum machines because of their recent release and the fact that many consider them to be equal (or even superior) to the VProm... which is definitely not the case.

Without any internal circuitry modeling - but only loaded with processed samples and surrounded by some FXs -, these two products are NOT emulations but advertised like recreations of famous drum machines.

The use of borderline advertising doesn't strike me as worthy of a "reputable" company, but I'm probably too picky...

Such approach is particularly incomprehensible given the excellence of their other products.