VST3 hosting

Use third-party instruments and effects inside the GrooveForge rack on desktop.

Supported platforms (today)

Linux macOS — Full VST3 hosting: load .vst3 bundles, process audio through the same patch graph as built-in modules, and open each plugin’s native editor in a separate window (X11 on Linux; native toolkit on macOS). BPM and transport state are forwarded so tempo-synced plugins stay aligned with GrooveForge.

Windows: plumbing exists in the codebase but WASAPI audio integration is still in progress — treat Windows VST3 as planned until a release announcement lands in the changelog.

Web / Android — VST3 is not available; use GrooveForge Keyboard, bundled .gfpd effects, and MIDI FX instead.

Loading a plugin

Tap + in the rack → Browse VST3 (desktop only).
Select the plugin’s .vst3 bundle folder or file (OS-dependent picker).
Parameters appear as grouped rotary knobs in the slot card; use Show plugin UI for the vendor window.

Audio routing

In the patch view, connect audio OUT from a keyboard or another plugin into a VST’s audio IN, then onward to the master bus or additional effects. Order follows the cable graph (topological processing). Save the project to capture both rack layout and VST parameter snapshots in the .gf file.

Audio cables between rack slots in patch view — Audio graph example — keyboard or effect OUT into a VST’s IN, then onward to the master bus or more inserts.

Build requirements

The Steinberg VST3 SDK is not vendored in the repository. Clone it into packages/flutter_vst3/vst3sdk (with submodules) before building desktop targets — see the README on GitHub for the exact command.

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