Definitely a bit shady, he should have tried to emulate another kind of rom ,one usual suspects didn't do, that I reckon would have been cool.usual suspects were doin their thing let them carry on doin it ,disco dsp vibe off that, but not just copy that, add to it. usual suspects u might have to try the Yamaha fs1r .could have held onto the code a bit longer no shade in that at all. but big up usual suspects again

 

I'm a developer myself before I was a musician/mixing engineer. I run a GitHub organization that is incredibly popular with over a decade of code available. I get it, I wouldn't love it either, but that's how open-source works, especially GPLv3. There are ways around it, but there's only so much you can do without switching licenses.

 

Indeed. I think the intent is that "hey, you can take the thing we built, and go and use it to build something cool with it", not, "hey, you can take our code, make shittier version of the stuff we make, then try to make money from it" - but the license doesn't of course preclude that use.

 

I would say if you wanted to completely tank the reputation of your company this is a good way to go about.

 

I'm downloading it to try the DiscoDSP version, but it seems like it's donationware if you want.

Keep in mind the following:

1. They don't seem to have just cloned it it, it looks like it's just a preset browser. Yours are full emulations, but they can by CPU heavy. If the DiscoDSP version uses significantly less CPU, then, no, there's not really anything wrong with it, because it is a different product with a different goal at that point. The CPU usage does affect whether some people use yours or not/in what circumstances they do.

2. It has a preset browser that just lets you load the .bin files right from the GUI. It probably sounds silly to you because it you have a lot of technical skill, but, to some end users, that's a lot easier and matters. The system whereby with your version you have to copy the .bin to the directory then swap them out whenever you switch ROMs is kind of odd, and some people probably are turned off by/confused by it. This seems to be aimed at people a bit less proficient than your emulation is.

3. It's all in one, not several separate version and, presumably, DiscoDSP is going to continually be updating it when you do, so the end user doesn't have to routinely go and download all of yours individually.

I'll have to see when I try there's, but this seems to be a different product aimed at at different set of end users rather than just a rip off.

 

I am not sure if anyone has asked you this yet and I am certainly not judging.. but would you accept a 50/50 cut of the "ongoing development" funds if they were offered to you as compensation? To be clear, I am not fond of their approach, although I haven't found anything legally or lawfully incorrect, it would be understandable if it felt unfair to you tho.

 

I'm super confused as to why someone would release something that feels like a 14 year old's first program, but it's probably a good thing

if people can't figure out how to use the synth or put a rom file in the correct place, they're probably just going to annoy everyone involved in the project and other fans of the project. someone distracting the bottom rung people will likely just make everyone's lives easier, and they can always transition to the real project if they become interested enough

 

You can still change the license of your code for further iterations to not allow any commercial use. It would mean he cannot use any updates or further simulations anymore. And if he does, you can do something about it. If that is an option, that is.

 

the only good plugin from discodsp is discovery pro loaded with the vengeance soundsets. basically for trance. dance and club edm

it also loads nord lead patches.. i have been using this discovery pro plugin maybe since 2008.. but i dont find it special or amazing, its kinda good for layering with other synths.

 

I read it all and I'm sorry, but by making your software free you opened a rabbit hole for such things to happen in the first place .
99% of those brands no longer exist, if I were you - I would approach The Makers of these, sell it under limited or exclusive license and you are done, cause here's the hard truth - without this - it's DEAD DATA !!! they would jump on that horse SO fast......
believe me if I'd see that you can buy a Vst Virus for $20 ? yeah I would pay it, gladly !!! and so would most people .

 

Last edited: Mar 9, 2026 at 5:35 AM

Name one that is no longer a company.

 

Profit interest shouldn't be the main factor deciding what data remains dead or alive. I’d rather leave that in the hands of people who love the data, not the money.

 

no disrespect, but i don't see the issue. He used you open source code, credited you, and its just a stripped down preset loader anyways. Actually kind of a good idea, a quick way to play all the various presets from the different devices. As far as I can tell its donationware too.

I love the usual suspects stuff, and appreciate all the hard work, but if you are going to make something open source, especially something so freaking cool, expect others to use it!

 

I tried the Retromulator and I think it is totally useless. The TUS-instruments do not have a GUI – so it’s only a rompler without any editing capabilities or decent preset navigation – and the DX7 emulation does not produce any sound, in spite of loading the right firmware ROM and having tried several presets.

 

WDF - RESPECT THE OG EMU!!

 

Last edited: Mar 9, 2026 at 7:03 AM

they're starting to delete comment in their facebook page even Darude's comment got deleted lol

 

I just tried it. I wouldn't be too concerend if I were you. Maybe it will be get better, but yours definitely loads better. It's definitely just a more simplified version, it's like they're just aiming it at different people.

It seems kind of odd, but the installation/etc . . . method of yours is kind of unusual and most people probably don't need the depth of the emulation. It's almost like they saw an opportunity to make it a bit more accesible.

It was kind of glitchy and actually froze. I wouldn't be too concerned, most people who are serious about running these Roms are probably going to go with yours.

 

That guy who was behind the sandstorm?

 

that's the suspect