// CASE STUDY

OB-Xd, Discovery Pro, Corona

OB-Xd, Discovery Pro, and Corona are DiscoDSP synthesizers that ship as VST, VST3, AU, and AAX. Atlantic Audio Development rewrote and maintained their interfaces in C++ through 2021 and 2022. The work covered panel layout, custom controls, visual feedback, and GUI scaling, and left the synthesis untouched.

Published with DiscoDSP's permission. Our engagements are confidential by default, and most of our work stays unnamed.

// THE BRIEF

Modernize the interface, leave the instrument alone

DiscoDSP sells synthesizers that have been on the market for years. OB-Xd is an emulation of the Oberheim OB-X, Discovery Pro is a Nord Lead-style virtual analog with four layers and twelve oscillators, and Corona is a hybrid of virtual analog and wavetable synthesis. All three ship as VST, VST3, AU and AAX, with Linux and standalone builds as well.

The sound of each one was settled long before we arrived. What needed work was the interface: what the panel tells you while the synth plays, and how the controls respond under the hand. The editors also had to hold up on the displays people use now.

We took the engagement on in 2021. It is one of the oldest projects we have worked on: the editors were built from fixed bitmap graphics, drawn for the displays of their day.

// CLIENT REFERENCE

What did DiscoDSP say about the work?

DiscoDSP's founder George Reales wrote the following reference. We print it unedited, with his permission.

I'm writing to express my appreciation for Gustavo's work. In his duties, he has consistently demonstrated a high level of skill and professionalism. He has consistently provided excellent work and has been an important member of our team.

Gustavo is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that tasks are completed to the highest standard and has demonstrated a strong commitment to the company's success. He is a pleasure to work with, and I would gladly recommend him for future projects.

Overall, I've been very impressed with Gustavo's work and believe he has a bright future ahead of him.

// OUR RESPONSIBILITY

What did Atlantic Audio do for DiscoDSP?

Through 2021 and 2022 we handled UI and UX implementation and maintenance across the DiscoDSP line, including interface rewrites for OB-Xd, Discovery Pro and Corona. The work covered panel layout, custom controls, visual feedback and the way each editor scales.

DiscoDSP owns product direction, the synthesis and the preset libraries. We owned the interface and the C++ that drives it.

// CONSTRAINTS

How do you take over a codebase without the original developers?

We take the shipping code as the specification. The developers who built the original DiscoDSP editors were no longer available, so the source and the running plugin were our only reference for what each control had to do.

• Every plugin has an existing user base, so sessions and presets saved with older versions have to open and sound the same afterwards.
• The synthesis code stays as it is, so an interface change must not move a parameter value.
• Three codebases with three histories, each with its own control set and its own layout conventions.
• Discovery Pro draws at five window sizes, from 1x at 400p to 2x at 800p, and panel shading, knob rings and text have to stay sharp at each one.
• Builds cover Windows 10 and later, macOS 10.14 and later on Intel and Apple Silicon, Debian-based Linux, and iOS 14 and later for OB-Xd.

// OUTCOME

What do the plugins ship with today?

All three plugins ship with the interfaces we implemented, and DiscoDSP keeps releasing updates against them. OB-Xd is at version 3.24.1 on Windows and macOS, and its documentation lists a knob LED visualizer, true VU metering and a preset bar workflow. DiscoDSP describes Discovery Pro as the first synthesizer with an HDR interface. On macOS and Windows it draws in high dynamic range where the display supports it, with a live oscilloscope and FFT.

The outcome we were hired for: drastically improved visual feedback, smoother interactions, and a renewed lifespan for the plugins.

// WHAT WE DELIVERED

Scope of our work