SY-4X 1.0.2

COMPATIBILITY
Machine Format(s) Architecture(s) Native Processor(s) OS Supported Note
PC VST3 X64 INTEL Windows 10 or higher
Mac VST3, AU X64 INTEL/ARM Mac OS-10.14 or higher
  • Install Info for Windows OS

  • On PC you need the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Version.
    go there: vc_redist.x64 and download/install the X64 version.
    Direct link seems to be this


    VST3 presets are needed and are selected by default on install, if in the future you wish to install them back or revert to default you can also install just presets from the installer


    If a crash occurs during launch check that you have complete read/write permission on your main 64bit VST3 folder and/or the SY4X application folder
    • C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
    • C:\Users\"yourusername or admin"\AppData\Local\SY4X


  • Install Info for Mac OS

  • Don't miss the part in the Presets Installer where it says to "change install location" and choose "install for me only", presets need to be installed for the current user so the plug-in can access them.


    If at the end of the presets installer setup the message “The installation failed.” is dislayed, this is a user library permission issue. Look for permission settings at your user* preset folder location here:
    Users/YourUserName/Library/Audio/Presets
    Check if read/write permissions are given for users AND ADMIN too.
    The addition of admin usually resolves the case and allows the installer to function correctly.

    FYI: The presets Installer is installing the presets at this location:
    Users/YourUserName/Library/Audio/Presets/AlyJamesLab/SY4X/(presets in there)

    *In case you didn't know the USER library is hidden by default on Mac OS, but you just do one of a couple commands, personally I go with holding the Option key down while selecting the Go menu in the Finder, it reveals the User Library.

    You could also simply try to repair permissions via Disk Utility, some are using "Clean My Mac" for constant maintenance, which has a similar function.


  • Mac Plug-In Formats

  • Mac version is available as AU (Audio Unit) and Mac VST3

    They are Universal 2 that means they both are Native Silicon and Native Intel at the same time, the processor will choose its prefered native code. Complete compatibility info is right here


  • Usage Info

  • SY-4X like all my newer plug-ins do not use "drag resize" capability yet, nevertheless it uses "DPI awareness" which makes the plug-in GUI follow DAW (or the whole system) DPI settings..

    I have monitors with a big resolution like 4K or 2K and I use the scaling function of the OS (on PC and on Mac) regularly, I usually scale the whole system to 125% or 150% in order to have a comfortable view.
    Even if not using "system" scaling most programs, including DAW now feature scaling, it can be set to follow the system settings or be independent.
    Any set scaling will also automatically resize my plug-ins.


    .aupreset can also be loaded by the PC version along vst3 ones.
    Presets can be loaded/saved in .vstpreset, .aupreset and .xmlpreset/.xmlbank formats.

    In order to design new presets, start with the a base preset and have fun messing around. Export as .xmlpreset format which is a plain text easily editable and sharable.

    Most parameters can be right clicked and "midi learned" If you messed up just select "unlearn" for that control.
    Any MIDI channel will trigger SY-4X in Drum Kit Mode, but if you use Keyboard Mode, you must send it the appropriate MIDI channel.
    In Keyboard Mode, you trigger the 2 voices of a module simultaneously, and each module is controlled by a dedicated MIDI channel. You need to send MIDI to SY-4X on the desired channel; every DAW has its own method for doing this easily. For example, to control Module 1, you need to send on MIDI Channel 2. In Keyboard Rotate Mode, MIDI channels are auto-assigned, so you can send from any channel.

    • Drum Kit MODE - //////// : MIDI channel ANY
    • Keyboard MODE - Module 1 : MIDI channel 02
    • Keyboard MODE - Module 2 : MIDI channel 03
    • Keyboard MODE - Module 3 : MIDI channel 04
    • Keyboard MODE - Module 4 : MIDI channel 05
    • Keyboard MODE + Rotate : MIDI channel ANY

    In Drum Kit Mode, triggers are mostly mapped according to the GM MIDI standard. It is pretty straightforward, but you can customize it if needed.
    The MIDI map is global and shared by all instances.

    SY-4X MIDI Map



    SY-4X additional preset banks will be found at the community/download section of alyjameslab.com check from time to time!


  • Updating from previous version

  • You should always uninstall previous version before updating to ensure a smooth transition. It's better to be safe than sorry.

    For PC Users:
    • Use the SY-4X uninstaller to remove both VST3 and Presets.
    • FYI Presets are located in:
    • C:\Users\YourUserName\Documents\VST3 Presets\AlyJamesLab\SY4X\
    • If you have manually installed or added new presets, save any custom presets you want to keep, then delete the rest. If you haven’t created any custom presets, delete all .vstpreset files in this directory.


    For Mac Users:
    Uninstall the AU Plug-In:
    • Locate SY4X.component in /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/ and delete it.
    Uninstall the VST3 Plug-In:
    • Locate SY4X.vst3 in /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/ and delete it.
    Uninstall Presets:
    • FYI Presets are located in:
    • Users/YourUserName/Library/Audio/Presets/AlyJamesLab/SY4X/
    • If you have manually installed or added new presets, save any custom presets you want to keep, then delete the rest. If you haven’t created any custom presets, delete all .aupreset and .vstpreset files in this directory.

    Note:

    • The user library is hidden by default on Mac OS. To reveal it, hold the Option key while selecting the Go menu in Finder. This will reveal the User Library.

    Updating your software with these steps ensures a clean installation and helps prevent potential issues.


  • Good to know...

  • Tuning affects the VCF and also Decay Time. EG 1 is controlled by the SWEEP function and is not affected by trigger force, while EG 2 is directly generated from the trigger and is velocity sensitive. EG2 affects both the VCF and VCA.
    Every MODE is a predefined set of internal connections affecting waveform shape, tuning, and modulation sources.
    Sample & Hold (S&H) is generated from the LFO, meaning the LFO’s speed affects the output.
    By design, Syncussion oscillators don’t track very well over 3 or 4 octaves and will progressively detune from each other—this is part of the charm. If you want perfect (ideal) tracking, activate OSC 1 & 2 TUNE SYNC. Note that in "TUNE SYNC," OSC2 is still affected by the offset parameter.
    Since 1.0.2 a new parameter called "Decay Sense" is an optional tweak to add more nuance to your playing by increasing the amount of velocity modulation to EG2 -in short it is affecting the overall decay time more than on the original SY-1, great for drummers!

    Some parameters like MULTI OUT, TRIGGER SENSE and Velocity response are "global" they are saved with the session in your DAW but won't change if you scroll presets.


  • Note if using Windows 7

  • While Windows 7 is not marked as "supported" it might run on it as well.
    In case of graphics glitches or crash on legacy Windows 7 systems not updated, the system requires the installation of the Microsoft platform update. This is an update from 2013 but I know some of you might still have old systems with updates turned off for years. platform update info link Direct link seems to be this