CtrlrX v5.6.31 Release - GUI & Maintenance Update [2025.02.01]

[damiensellier]

Dear Ctrlr Users,

I just released a new version for the CtrlrX Fork : v5.6.31b
It's already available on the CtrlrX Master and on the CtrlrX 5.6.31 Branch.

I added a security update for macOS that allows encryption of the exported panel code & resources for the developers providing exported instances. Previously, you could just copy the resources from the mac bundle and paste it to a blank CTRLR app and it would work, now the embedded panel and resources are encrypted with your passkey located in Source/Native/CtrlrMac.cpp ... :

Encryption stage :
https://github.com/damiensellier/CtrlrX/blob/e8f5cffc10d2bd8fa3c682370ad975b421111589/Source/Native/CtrlrMac.cpp#L89

// Define the BlowFish encryption key as string
String keyString = "yourkey"; // Replace with your actual key (security!) Added v5.6.31

Decryption stage :
https://github.com/damiensellier/CtrlrX/blob/e8f5cffc10d2bd8fa3c682370ad975b421111589/Source/Native/CtrlrMac.cpp#L141

// Define the BlowFish encryption key as string
String keyString = "yourkey"; // Replace with your actual key (security!). Added v5.6.31

If you don't care and use it as it was in the previous version, just leave it as it is when compiling. If you use registration keys or pace ilok, please customize your passkey to encrypt your panels and resources to keep everything safe.

I also updated the CtrlrProcessor.cpp with the up-to-date in/out layout class BusesProperties(). It was using deprecated JUCE v4 definitions in previous versions and caused problems with Logic and Live.

Sysex Roland checksum macro have been updated thanks to John @dnaldoog
LUA Method Editor has been updated as well with a few more design options to make code more legible thanks to Dominique @dobo365

I fixed almost all bug reported from the Ctrlr issues section like sliders not providing the correct max values when set with negative values, which was a big bummer. thanks to @mtarenskeen for the report.

I also fixed the most requested issue : CtrlrX not showing up in Ableton Live. (tested on macOS Ableton Live Lite 11).

Another request was : CtrlrX not validating the AudioUnit test in Apple Logic Pro. It should now work from what I got on my setup. (tested with Ableton Live, Apple AU Validation tool command, Presonus Studio One).

AU Validation Tool
    Version: 1.6.1a1 
    Copyright 2003-2013, Apple Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Specify -h (-help) for command options

--------------------------------------------------
VALIDATING AUDIO UNIT: 'aumu' - 'cTrl' - 'cTrX'
--------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer String: CtrlrX
AudioUnit Name: CtrlrX
Component Version: 5.6.31 (0x5061F)


--------------------------------------------------
AU VALIDATION SUCCEEDED.
--------------------------------------------------

For me the biggest annoyance was VST crashing Cubase when loading projects with a panel having the property panelIsDirty = 0.
I fixed it yesterday so it should be good to go with a panel with either panelIsDirty=0, panelIsDirty=1 or without this property (legacy panels).

Thanks for your suggestions to everyone involved BTW.

Here is all the list of fixed issues for CtrlrX v5.6.31b :

Version 5.6.31b | 2025.01.29

Security update : Encryption of the panel file in the macOS bundle for restricted instances. CtrlrMac.cpp, CtrlrEditorApplicationCommandsMenu.cpp, CtrlrManager.cpp

NEW JUCE Class MouseInputSource added to LUA. LCore.cpp,LCore.h, LJuce.cpp, LJuce.h, LMouseInputSource.h
NEW algorithm for Roland checksums. CtrlrSysexProcessor.cpp & CtrlrUtilities.cpp
NEW settings for LUA Method Editor. CtrlrValueTreeEditor.h CtrlrLuaMethodCodeEditorSettings.cpp & .h CtrlrLuaMethodCodeEditor.cpp CtrlrLuaMethodEditor.cpp CtrlrIDs.h & CtrlrIDs.xml

FIXED MSB 14 bit numbers sending 0xFF instead of 0x7F. CtrlrSysexProcessor.cpp & CtrlrUtilities.cpp
FIXED missing File Management bottom notification bar. CtrlrPanelFileOperations.cpp, CtrlrPanelEditor.cpp, CtrlrPanelEditor.h, CtrlrPanel.cpp, CtrlrPanel.h
FIXED missing menuBar on export for log and MIDI monitor windows. CtrlrChildWindowContainer.cpp
FIXED uiSlider value not reaching maxValue when using negative values for minValue. CtrlrSlider.cpp
FIXED uiImageSlider value not reaching maxValue when using negative values for minValue. CtrlrImageSlider.cpp
FIXED black text on black background for Modulator List window. CtrlrPanelModulatorList.cpp
FIXED typo in alert when closing dirty panel. CtrlrPanelFileOperations.cpp
FIXED parameters count passed to VST host is set from the highest vstindex when a panel is an exported VST/VST3 instance, not (64). CtrlrProcessor.cpp
FIXED LnF panel close button colour on mouseover follows the panel colourScheme. CtrlrDocumentPanel.cpp
FIXED CtrlrModulator Value statement precised to help avoid feedback loops between LUA and (delayed) UI. Commit 6e5a0b2 by midibox. CtrlrLuaManager.cpp
FIXED exported VST crashing DAW if panelIsDirty = 0 on export. CtrlPanelFileOperations.cpp
FIXED Ctrlr not showing up in Ableton Live. CtrlrX.jucer, CtrlrProcessor.cpp & CtrlrProcessor.h, CtrlrProcessorEditorForLive.cpp & CtrlrProcessorEditorForLive.h
FIXED MIDI Monitor IN/OUT turned ON by default. CtrlrManager.cpp
FIXED Console window & Midi Monitor crashing Cubase if closed from the Menu File>Close. CtrlrLuaConsole.cpp & CtrlrMIDIMonitor.cpp
FIXED LUA mod:getMidiMessage():getProperty("propertyName") CtrlrMidiMessage.cpp & CtrlrMidiMessage.h
FIXED exported instances not getting the proper LnF version or colourScheme (popup, child windows etc). CtrlrManagerInstance.cpp, CtrlrEditor.cpp
FIXED property pane tabs not showing up on exported instances. CtrlrManagerInstance.cpp
FIXED Property Pane tabs not following panel LnF. CtrlrPanelProperties.cpp & CtrlrPanelProperties.h
FIXED Child Windows (LUA Editor, console etc) not getting the proper menuBar background. CtrlrChildWindowContainer.cpp
FIXED LUA Editor Method Tree selected item not getting the proper colour. CtrlrLuaMethodEditor.cpp
FIXED AU AudioUnit version of CtrlX was failing the Apple/Logic Validation Test. CtrlrX.jucer, CtrlrProcessor.cpp & CtrlrProcessor.h
FIXED Panel Tabs showing up on exported instances. CtrlrDocumentPanel.cpp
FIXED messy preferences window and settings. CtrlrSettings.cpp & CtrlrSettings.cpp ctrlrIDs.h & CtrlrIDs.xml
FIXED default New Panel LnF not following global LnF from Global Preferences. ctrlrPanel.cpp ctrlrIDs.h & CtrlrIDs.xml
FIXED FileChooser hanging when exporting instance on OSX Catalina & macOS BigSur. CtrlrManager.cpp
FIXED About popup design refurbished with new CtrlrX logo. CtrlrAbout.cpp & CtrlrAbout.h
FIXED About popup not getting current build date, fixed with C++ Macro timestamp. CtrlrRevision.h
FIXED CtrlrX icons for macOS and WIN. ctrlrx_logo.svg, CtrlrX.jucer
FIXED VST crashing DAW when loading a project with panelIsDirty = 0. CtrlPanelFileOperations.cpp

Compiling :
For the people looking to compile CtrlrX v5.6.31b, it's required to clear all your IDE (Visual Studio & Xcode) temp files from the folder CtrlrX/Build and restart from scratch with CtrlrX.jucer with projucer because many settings have been updated in the project file.

To compile, please follow the guides available to download there :
https://github.com/damiensellier/CtrlrX/wiki/Guides-to-Building-Ctrlr

Version :
I decided to keep CtrlrX v5.6.31 as beta ,hence v5.6.31b, to receive all your suggestion for nightly fixes, and also because the next step would be to provide codesigned binaries to prevent CtrlrX from being denied by the windows gatekeeper and the macOS app blacklist. We're almost there ;)

If everything is confirmed and mostly fine, I'll update a few things here and there and release CtrlrX v6.0 a major release in Q2 2025 with codesigned binaries. v6.0 will finally follow the JUCE number version (v6.0.8) for more coherence.

I also designed the CtrlrX logo from the Ctrlr one with an extra X obviously, CtrlrX is alive. how cool is that :)

Enjoy!

Damien

CtrlrX v5.6.31b Windows Intel
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-EXE-WIN-x64
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-VST3-WIN-x64
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-VST-WIN-x64

CtrlrX v5.6.31b macOS Intel
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-APP-macOS-INTEL
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-AudioUnit-macOS-INTEL
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-VST3-macOS-INTEL
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-VST-macOS-INTEL

PS: I need someone to provide me with the macOS silicon binaries, that would be very appreciated. Please upload in the comment below. Thanks

PS 2: It's required to delete ctrlr.settings to refresh your global preferences since I removed and updated CtlrlrX default global settings.

WINDOWS : C:\Users_username_\AppData\RoamingCtrlr\Ctrlr.settings
MAC : Users/your_username/Library/Preferences/Ctrlr/Ctrlr.settings

[damiensellier]

CtrlrX v5.6.31b Windows Intel
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-EXE-WIN-x64
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-VST3-WIN-x64
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-VST-WIN-x64

CtrlrX v5.6.31b macOS Intel
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-APP-macOS-INTEL
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-AudioUnit-macOS-INTEL
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-VST3-macOS-INTEL
CtrlrX-5.6.31b-VST-macOS-INTEL

[damiensellier]

NOTE : If you want to report bugs in details, please do it in the following section of CtrlrX github :

https://github.com/damiensellier/CtrlrX/issues

Thank you ;)

[iuliancazan]

Reporting on the new build after a bit of smoke testing ...
Apple M2 Max / Sequoia 15.2 / Ableton 12

[CtrlrX-5.6.31b-APP-macOS-INTEL] -> works
[CtrlrX-5.6.31b-VST3-macOS-INTEL] -> works (forgot i have to start Ableton with Rosetta enabled, i thought at first it's not working :D)

One thing to mention - i exported a panel as VST3 (JOX'3P), but it's not showing up in the Plugins list (not even after a hard reload)

[damiensellier]

It's normal, you won't see your exported instance because VST3 keeps the identifications as CtrlrX.
You would need to build a plugin from the projucer with your JOX'3P identifications.
Copy/paste ctrlrx.jucer, rename the copy like jox3p.jucer.
Open jox3p.jucer in projucer, replace plugin name, manufacturer name, plugin unique ID and manufacturer ID as shown in your ctrlr panel properties.
Compile jox3p.jucer. with you IDE it and open jox3p VST3 in your DAW.
Then open your panel file and export your instance on your desktop. It's gonna be jox3p.vst3 as well.
Remove your "intermediate CtrlrX" jox3p.VST3 instance from your VST folder, and replace it with the one exported from your desktop.
You have it, with the proper identifications.

It's a big bummer to be honest and I did not find a way to get the exports working from the get go.
BUT you can do it with AU and VST (not VST3).

[damiensellier]

@iuliancazan Here is CtrlrX VST2.4 for macOS Intel :
CtrlrX 5.6.31b macOS Intel VST.zip

Your exports should be ok as VST.

NOTE : Some DAWs shows only VST3 version over VST when both are present so , remove the vst3 if you don't see the VST2.4 version.

Enjoy!

[mtarenskeen]

Any chance someone can build/publish/maintain a Linux version?
I can see a Linux Makefile but I can't make it work yet - my developer skills are very limited. Maybe someone can give me a hint.
I am on Linux Fedora 41.

In general: I have a website where I have published several Ctrlr panels ( https://ctrlr.martintarenskeen.nl Where should I point users today who ask me where they can download a recent and stable build of Ctrlr or CtrlrX for their platform (Windows/Apple/Linux) so that they can use my panels?

[damiensellier]

Hi, I don't cover linux simply because I never used it once in my life.
Everything Makefile are remainings from the old ctrlr v5.3 version and prior.

The most up to date and stable version of ctrlr is CtrlrX 5.6.31b. As mentioned above it's 80+ commits ahead from the last Ctrlr release.
It's compatible with legacy panels, vst, vst3, AU, mac, Windows compatible for intel cpus, arm and apple silicon.

Just try it by yourself and let me know, if you like it, just recommand it to your panel users, if you don't, Ctrlr 5.3.198 is ok on older platforms with a win xp revival style :)

https://github.com/damiensellier/CtrlrX/releases/tag/5.6.31b

[damiensellier]

@mtarenskeen btw, I fixed the problem you mentionned in the issue section about the sliders not giving the right min/max values when using a low limit with negative value.

https://github.com/damiensellier/CtrlrX/blob/e8f5cffc10d2bd8fa3c682370ad975b421111589/Source/UIComponents/CtrlrComponents/Sliders/CtrlrSlider.cpp#L256

https://github.com/damiensellier/CtrlrX/blob/e8f5cffc10d2bd8fa3c682370ad975b421111589/Source/UIComponents/CtrlrComponents/Sliders/CtrlrImageSlider.cpp#L173

Enjoy!

Damien