XyloCore

XyloCore is a JUCE-based xylophone instrument plugin with a production-ready project scaffold, a polished custom UI, embedded factory presets, and a hybrid engine path.

Current state

This package is the strongest version so far:

• JUCE CMake plugin project
• AU / VST3 / Standalone targets
• procedural xylophone core that makes sound immediately
• hybrid sample layer support from assets/samples/
• 16 automatable parameters
• embedded and JSON-overridable factory presets
• clickable xylophone bar UI plus MIDI input
• save/restore state via APVTS
• GitHub Actions starter workflow for macOS builds

What is actually complete

This package is ready to be opened in a JUCE/CMake workflow and moved into real host testing.

It includes:

• compile-oriented source layout
• build scripts
• preset system
• hybrid fallback behavior
• sample-folder scanning
• production-minded defaults

What is not honestly finished yet

The true "best xylophone plugin on the planet" release would still need:

• a premium recorded sample library with consistent mic capture
• multiple velocity layers per note
• round robins and alternate-hit variation from recordings
• a deeper performance engine for rolls/trills/gliss phrases
• full DAW validation across real host environments
• code signing, installer packaging, and release QA

So this is a serious release foundation, not a fake claim of a final commercial finish.

Sample folder support

Drop note samples into:

assets/samples/

Recognized file naming examples:

• 60.wav
• C4.wav
• F#5.wav
• xylophone_C5.wav
• note_72.wav

The loader will try to map exact note files first, then nearby fallback notes. If no usable files are found, the plugin stays in procedural mode.

Build options

Option 1: local JUCE checkout

Put JUCE at:

modules/JUCE

Then run:

cmake --preset default
cmake --build --preset default --config Release -j

Option 2: FetchContent build

cmake --preset fetchcontent
cmake --build --preset fetchcontent --config Release -j

Option 3: helper script on macOS

./scripts/build_macos.sh

Suggested validation path

1. Build Standalone first.
2. Confirm mouse-click bars and MIDI both trigger notes.
3. Confirm presets change state and restore after relaunch.
4. Add a few real samples to assets/samples/ and verify status switches to hybrid mode.
5. Test AU in Logic / GarageBand and VST3 in a host like Reaper.
6. Stress-test polyphony and session recall.

Source overview

• Source/PluginProcessor.* plugin state and routing
• Source/PluginEditor.* UI and attachments
• Source/audio/XyloEngine.* synth engine wrapper
• Source/audio/XyloVoice.* hybrid procedural/sample voice
• Source/audio/SampleLayer.* sample directory scanning and note mapping
• Source/state/PresetManager.* embedded + JSON presets
• Source/ui/KeyboardBarView.* xylophone bar control surface

Recommended next pushes

The highest-value next moves are:

• real recorded xylophone library
• velocity-layer aware sample mapping
• per-note round robin slots
• dedicated roll/trill/gliss performance page
• FX rack and preset browser polish
• host-tested release packaging