SnappySnap - Enter the Void

New in Version 2.9.0 New

Link Mode - Multi-Instance Sync

Link Toggle: Enable "Link" in the bottom bar to synchronize XY pad movements across multiple SnappySnap instances.
Lead Mode: When Link is ON, enable "Lead" to make this instance the leader - other linked instances will follow its XY position.
Real-Time Sync: Perfect for creating synchronized evolving textures or controlling multiple instruments from a single XY pad.

UI Scale Controls

Three Size Options: S (Small), M (Medium), L (Large) buttons in the bottom bar.
Responsive Layout: All UI elements scale proportionally for different screen sizes and workflows.

Theme Switcher

Two Visual Themes: Switch between "Violet Dreams" (original purple) and "Electric Smudge" (teal) via the dropdown in the bottom-right corner.
Theme-Aware Logo: The logo automatically changes color to match the selected theme.
Full UI Integration: Theme colors apply to all buttons, overlays, the plugin browser, drift settings, and shader effects.

Improved Drift Settings Overlay

Draggable Window: Click and drag the Drift Settings overlay anywhere on the plugin interface.
Compact Design: Close button replaced with a small "×" in the top-right corner.
Smart Positioning: Opens on the left side above the snapshots area by default.

Drift Mode - Autonomous Morphing

Perlin Noise Engine: The XY pad cursor now wanders on its own using smooth, organic Perlin noise movement.
Three Drift Modes:
- Free: Wanders freely across the entire pad
- Anchored: Wanders but is pulled back toward an anchor point
- Orbit: Circles around the center at a configurable radius
Full Parameter Control: Speed (0-10 exponential), Distance, Chaos, Gravity, and Smoothness sliders.
Interactive Controls: Freeze, Nudge, and Reset buttons for real-time drift manipulation.
Right-Click Access: Right-click anywhere on the XY pad to open Drift Settings.

Quality of Life

Smooth 60Hz Updates: Drift mode runs at 60 FPS for silky-smooth cursor movement.
Smart Re-anchoring: When you disable drift, move the cursor, and re-enable - it starts from the new position.
Right-Click Protection: Right-clicking the XY pad no longer jumps the cursor position.

Core Concept

SnappySnap is a plugin host designed for performance and sound design. Load any VST3 or AU instrument/effect and create 12 distinct snapshots of its internal state. Morph between these states using a single knob, an XY pad, physics-based elastic interpolation, or autonomous drift.

12 Snapshots Full state capture

2D Morphing XY pad control

8 Macros Global overrides

Drift Mode Autonomous wandering

Link Mode Multi-instance sync

                    Why use it? Turn static presets into dynamic, evolving performances. Create complex
                    transitions that would be impossible with standard automation.
                

Snapshots & Morphing Core

Snapshot System

12 Slots: Arranged in a circular "clock" layout around the XY pad.
Full State Capture: Saves every parameter of the hosted plugin.
Naming: Right-click any snapshot to rename it or clear the name.
Intelligent Caching: Detects parameter counts to prevent corruption when hot-swapping plugins.

Morphing Modes

1D Morph (Snappy Knob): Linearly interpolates through all 12 snapshots from position 0.0 to 1.0.
2D Morph (XY Pad): Uses distance-weighted interpolation based on cursor position relative to each snapshot on the circle.
Elastic Mode: Adds physics (mass/spring) to the morph cursor. Fast movements create "overshoot" and "bounce" effects.
Drift Mode: Autonomous wandering using Perlin noise. Three modes: Free, Anchored, and Orbit.

Drift Mode New

Drift Mode enables the XY pad cursor to wander autonomously, creating evolving textures without any manual input.

Accessing Drift Settings

Right-click anywhere on the XY Pad to open the Drift Settings overlay.

Drift Modes

Free: The cursor wanders freely with no destination. Perfect for ambient textures.
Anchored: Wanders but is pulled back toward the anchor point (where you enabled drift). Use Gravity to control pull strength.
Orbit: Circles around the center of the pad. Distance sets the orbit radius.

Parameters

Speed (0-10): Exponential scaling. 0-2 = slow/glacial, 3-5 = moderate, 6-10 = fast/energetic.
Distance: How far the cursor can travel from its anchor. In Orbit mode, sets the radius.
Chaos: Movement complexity. Low = smooth curves, High = erratic/jittery.
Gravity: (Anchored only) Pull strength toward anchor point.
Smooth: Movement smoothness. Low = responsive, High = gradual transitions.

Controls

Freeze: Temporarily pause drift. Cursor stops where it is.
Nudge: Random push in a random direction.
Reset: Return cursor to current position and re-anchor there.

                    Pro Tip: For ambient pads, try Free mode with Speed 1-2, Distance 50%, and Smooth 80%.
                    Your sound will slowly evolve through all snapshots over time without any input.
                

Macros & Control Core

Macro System

8 Macro Knobs: Global controls that can override any plugin parameter.
One-Way Binding: Macros drive the plugin parameters. Moving the plugin UI does not update the macro (preventing feedback loops).
Morph Exclusion: Parameters bound to macros are excluded from morphing and randomization.
Easy Assignment: Enable Learn mode, touch a macro knob, then touch a plugin parameter.

Parameter Learning

Listen Mode: When enabled, touching any plugin parameter adds it to the "learned set".
Target Mode: Switch between targeting All parameters or only Learned parameters for randomization.
Clear Learned: Reset the learned parameter set.

Modes & Safety Important

Fast Recall Mode

ON: Recalls only parameter values (0.0 - 1.0). Instant and perfect for performance/modulation.
OFF: Recalls the full VST3 "state chunk". Use for complex samplers (Kontakt) or wavetable synths.

Sanity Mode

ON: Protects "danger" parameters from Randomization and Breeding: Master Volume, Pitch/Tune, Bypass, Output Gain.
OFF: "True Random" - anything goes. Watch your ears!

                    Safety Tip: Keep Sanity Mode ON unless you specifically want to randomize volume/pitch.
                    Extreme parameter changes can cause ear-damaging volume spikes.
                

Preset Management Core

Universal Preset System: SnappySnap acts as a unified preset manager for any VST3 or AU plugin, upgrading legacy plugins with modern file management.

How it Works

Meta-Presets: A SnappySnap preset stores the hosted plugin, its internal state, all 12 snapshots, macros, and morph settings.
Plugin Auto-Load: Loading a preset automatically launches the correct plugin.
Bank Organization: 16 banks with up to 128 presets each.
External Management: Bypass internal plugin browsers. Use SnappySnap to standardize workflow across all instruments.

Randomization & Breeding Pro

Randomization Engine

Relative Drift: Applies a weighted "drift" to parameters rather than pure chaos.
Amount Slider: 0-99% = subtle to moderate drift. 100% = complete chaos.
Target Selection: Randomize All parameters or only Learned parameters.

Breeding (Genetic Algorithm)

Two Parents: Select any two snapshots as Parent A and Parent B.
Crossover: 0% = Pure A, 100% = Pure B, 50% = Equal mix.
Mutation: Adds randomization to the offspring.
Result: Creates a new "child" sound with characteristics of both parents.

MIDI Integration Pro

SnappySnap is fully playable via MIDI keyboard or controller.

Snapshot Triggers

Note Triggers: Configurable octave (e.g., C2) maps notes C through B to Snapshots 1-12.
Trigger Notes Filtered: These notes won't play sound on the hosted synth.

Preset Control

Program Change (0-127): Load internal SnappySnap presets.
CC#0 (Bank Select, 0-15): Switch between Banks 1-16.
CC#1 (Mod Wheel): Scroll through presets in current bank.
CC#110-121 (value > 64): Remote save to snapshot slots 1-12.

DAW Integration Core

All key parameters are exposed for automation in your DAW.

Automatable Parameters

Snappy: Main morph knob (0.0 - 1.0), sweeps through all snapshots.
Morph X / Morph Y: XY pad position control.
Macro 1-8: Direct macro control.
Drift Enabled: Master drift toggle.
Drift Speed / Distance / Chaos: Drift behavior parameters.
Save X / Recall X: Trigger save/recall for specific slots.

                    Creative Tip: Map an Envelope Follower from your kick drum to the Snappy parameter.
                    Every kick hit will morph your synth between two snapshots!
                