try making tiny link button next to each parameter

cmd/sointu-track/main.go

@@ -28,6 +28,14 @@ func (NullContext) BPM() (bpm float64, ok bool) {
 	return 0, false
 }
 
+func (NullContext) Params() (ret tracker.ExtValueArray, ok bool) {
+	return tracker.ExtValueArray{}, false
+}
+
+func (NullContext) SetParams(params tracker.ExtParamArray) bool {
+	return false
+}
+
 var cpuprofile = flag.String("cpuprofile", "", "write cpu profile to `file`")
 var memprofile = flag.String("memprofile", "", "write memory profile to `file`")
 

cmd/sointu-vsti/main.go

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 	"math"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"strconv"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/vsariola/sointu"
@@ -22,6 +23,7 @@ type VSTIProcessContext struct {
 	events     []vst2.MIDIEvent
 	eventIndex int
 	host       vst2.Host
+	parameters []*vst2.Parameter
 }
 
 func (c *VSTIProcessContext) NextEvent() (event tracker.MIDINoteEvent, ok bool) {
@@ -52,6 +54,45 @@ func (c *VSTIProcessContext) BPM() (bpm float64, ok bool) {
 	return timeInfo.Tempo, true
 }
 
+func (c *VSTIProcessContext) Params() (ret tracker.ExtValueArray, ok bool) {
+	for i, p := range c.parameters {
+		ret[i] = p.Value
+	}
+	return ret, true
+}
+
+func (c *VSTIProcessContext) SetParams(a tracker.ExtParamArray) bool {
+	changed := false
+	for i, p := range c.parameters {
+		i := i
+		name := a[i].Param.Name
+		if name == "" {
+			name = fmt.Sprintf("P%d", i)
+		}
+		if p.Value != a[i].Val || p.Name != name {
+			p.Value = a[i].Val
+			p.Name = name
+			p.GetValueFunc = func(value float32) float32 {
+				return float32(a[i].Param.MinValue) + value*float32(a[i].Param.MaxValue-a[i].Param.MinValue)
+			}
+			p.GetValueLabelFunc = func(v float32) string {
+				if f := a[i].Param.DisplayFunc; f != nil {
+					s, u := a[i].Param.DisplayFunc(int(v + .5))
+					c.parameters[i].Unit = u
+					return s
+				}
+				c.parameters[i].Unit = ""
+				return strconv.Itoa(int(v + .5))
+			}
+			changed = true
+		}
+	}
+	if changed {
+		c.host.UpdateDisplay()
+	}
+	return true
+}
+
 func init() {
 	var (
 		version = int32(100)
@@ -74,7 +115,15 @@ func init() {
 			})
 		}
 		go t.Main()
-		context := VSTIProcessContext{host: h}
+		parameters := make([]*vst2.Parameter, 0, tracker.ExtParamCount)
+		for i := 0; i < tracker.ExtParamCount; i++ {
+			parameters = append(parameters,
+				&vst2.Parameter{
+					Name:         fmt.Sprintf("P%d", i),
+					NotAutomated: true,
+				})
+		}
+		context := VSTIProcessContext{host: h, parameters: parameters}
 		buf := make(sointu.AudioBuffer, 1024)
 		return vst2.Plugin{
 				UniqueID:       PLUGIN_ID,
@@ -85,6 +134,7 @@ func init() {
 				Vendor:         "vsariola/sointu",
 				Category:       vst2.PluginCategorySynth,
 				Flags:          vst2.PluginIsSynth,
+				Parameters:     parameters,
 				ProcessFloatFunc: func(in, out vst2.FloatBuffer) {
 					left := out.Channel(0)
 					right := out.Channel(1)

go.mod

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ module github.com/vsariola/sointu
 
 go 1.21
 
+replace pipelined.dev/audio/vst2 => ../vst2
+
 require (
 	gioui.org v0.5.0
 	gioui.org/x v0.5.0

patch.go

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 	"math"
 	"sort"
+	"strconv"
 )
 
 type (
@@ -57,7 +58,10 @@ type (
 		MaxValue    int    // maximum value of the parameter, inclusive
 		CanSet      bool   // if this parameter can be set before hand i.e. through the gui
 		CanModulate bool   // if this parameter can be modulated i.e. has a port number in "send" unit
+		DisplayFunc UnitParameterDisplayFunc
 	}
+
+	UnitParameterDisplayFunc func(int) (value string, unit string)
 )
 
 // UnitTypes documents all the available unit types and if they support stereo variant
@@ -79,7 +83,7 @@ var UnitTypes = map[string]([]UnitParameter){
 		{Name: "holdfreq", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true}},
 	"crush": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
-		{Name: "resolution", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true}},
+		{Name: "resolution", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: func(v int) (string, string) { return formatFloat(24 * float64(v) / 128), "bits" }}},
 	"gain": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
 		{Name: "gain", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true}},
@@ -88,7 +92,7 @@ var UnitTypes = map[string]([]UnitParameter){
 		{Name: "invgain", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true}},
 	"dbgain": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
-		{Name: "decibels", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true}},
+		{Name: "decibels", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: func(v int) (string, string) { return formatFloat(40 * (float64(v)/64 - 1)), "dB" }}},
 	"filter": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
 		{Name: "frequency", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
@@ -108,15 +112,15 @@ var UnitTypes = map[string]([]UnitParameter){
 		{Name: "dry", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
 		{Name: "feedback", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
 		{Name: "damp", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
-		{Name: "notetracking", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 2, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
+		{Name: "notetracking", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 2, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false, DisplayFunc: arrDispFunc(noteTrackingNames[:])},
 		{Name: "delaytime", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: -1, CanSet: false, CanModulate: true}},
 	"compressor": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
-		{Name: "attack", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
-		{Name: "release", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
+		{Name: "attack", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: compressorTimeDispFunc},
+		{Name: "release", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: compressorTimeDispFunc},
 		{Name: "invgain", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
 		{Name: "threshold", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
-		{Name: "ratio", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true}},
+		{Name: "ratio", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: func(v int) (string, string) { return formatFloat(1 - float64(v)/128), "" }}},
 	"speed": []UnitParameter{},
 	"out": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
@@ -128,20 +132,20 @@ var UnitTypes = map[string]([]UnitParameter){
 	"aux": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
 		{Name: "gain", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
-		{Name: "channel", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 6, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false}},
+		{Name: "channel", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 6, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false, DisplayFunc: arrDispFunc(channelNames[:])}},
 	"send": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
-		{Name: "amount", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
+		{Name: "amount", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: func(v int) (string, string) { return formatFloat(float64(v)/64 - 1), "" }},
 		{Name: "voice", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 32, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
 		{Name: "target", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: math.MaxInt32, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
 		{Name: "port", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 7, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
 		{Name: "sendpop", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false}},
 	"envelope": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
-		{Name: "attack", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
-		{Name: "decay", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
+		{Name: "attack", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: func(v int) (string, string) { return engineeringTime(math.Pow(2, 24*float64(v)/128) / 44100) }},
+		{Name: "decay", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: func(v int) (string, string) { return engineeringTime(math.Pow(2, 24*float64(v)/128) / 44100) }},
 		{Name: "sustain", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
-		{Name: "release", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
+		{Name: "release", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: func(v int) (string, string) { return engineeringTime(math.Pow(2, 24*float64(v)/128) / 44100) }},
 		{Name: "gain", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true}},
 	"noise": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
@@ -149,14 +153,14 @@ var UnitTypes = map[string]([]UnitParameter){
 		{Name: "gain", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true}},
 	"oscillator": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
-		{Name: "transpose", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
-		{Name: "detune", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
+		{Name: "transpose", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: oscillatorTransposeDispFunc},
+		{Name: "detune", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: func(v int) (string, string) { return formatFloat(float64(v-64) / 64), "st" }},
 		{Name: "phase", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
 		{Name: "color", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
 		{Name: "shape", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
 		{Name: "gain", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true},
 		{Name: "frequency", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: -1, CanSet: false, CanModulate: true},
-		{Name: "type", MinValue: int(Sine), MaxValue: int(Sample), CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
+		{Name: "type", MinValue: int(Sine), MaxValue: int(Sample), CanSet: true, CanModulate: false, DisplayFunc: arrDispFunc(oscTypes[:])},
 		{Name: "lfo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
 		{Name: "unison", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 3, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
 		{Name: "samplestart", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1720329, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
@@ -164,17 +168,59 @@ var UnitTypes = map[string]([]UnitParameter){
 		{Name: "looplength", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 65535, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false}},
 	"loadval": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
-		{Name: "value", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true}},
+		{Name: "value", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 128, CanSet: true, CanModulate: true, DisplayFunc: func(v int) (string, string) { return formatFloat(float64(v)/64 - 1), "" }}},
 	"receive": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
 		{Name: "left", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: -1, CanSet: false, CanModulate: true},
 		{Name: "right", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: -1, CanSet: false, CanModulate: true}},
 	"in": []UnitParameter{
 		{Name: "stereo", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 1, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false},
-		{Name: "channel", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 6, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false}},
+		{Name: "channel", MinValue: 0, MaxValue: 6, CanSet: true, CanModulate: false, DisplayFunc: arrDispFunc(channelNames[:])}},
 	"sync": []UnitParameter{},
 }
 
+var channelNames = [...]string{"left", "right", "aux1 left", "aux1 right", "aux2 left", "aux2 right", "aux3 left", "aux3 right"}
+var noteTrackingNames = [...]string{"fixed", "pitch", "BPM"}
+var oscTypes = [...]string{"sine", "trisaw", "pulse", "gate", "sample"}
+
+func arrDispFunc(arr []string) UnitParameterDisplayFunc {
+	return func(v int) (string, string) {
+		if v < 0 || v >= len(arr) {
+			return "???", ""
+		}
+		return arr[v], ""
+	}
+}
+
+func compressorTimeDispFunc(v int) (string, string) {
+	alpha := math.Pow(2, -24*float64(v)/128) // alpha is the "smoothing factor" of first order low pass iir
+	sec := -1 / (44100 * math.Log(1-alpha))  // from smoothing factor to time constant, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_smoothing
+	return engineeringTime(sec)
+}
+
+func oscillatorTransposeDispFunc(v int) (string, string) {
+	relvalue := v - 64
+	octaves := relvalue / 12
+	semitones := relvalue % 12
+	if semitones == 0 {
+		return strconv.Itoa(octaves), "oct"
+	}
+	return strconv.Itoa(semitones), "st"
+}
+
+func engineeringTime(sec float64) (string, string) {
+	if sec < 1e-3 {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%.2f", sec*1e6), "us"
+	} else if sec < 1 {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%.2f", sec*1e3), "ms"
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%.2f", sec), "s"
+}
+
+func formatFloat(f float64) string {
+	return strconv.FormatFloat(f, 'f', -1, 64)
+}
+
 // When unit.Type = "oscillator", its unit.Parameter["Type"] tells the type of
 // the oscillator. There is five different oscillator types, so these consts
 // just enumerate them.
@@ -374,158 +420,3 @@ func (p Patch) FindUnit(id int) (instrIndex int, unitIndex int, err error) {
 	}
 	return 0, 0, fmt.Errorf("could not find a unit with id %v", id)
 }
-
-// ParamHintString returns a human readable string representing the current
-// value of a given unit parameter.
-func (p Patch) ParamHintString(instrIndex, unitIndex int, param string) string {
-	if instrIndex < 0 || instrIndex >= len(p) {
-		return ""
-	}
-	instr := p[instrIndex]
-	if unitIndex < 0 || unitIndex >= len(instr.Units) {
-		return ""
-	}
-	unit := instr.Units[unitIndex]
-	value := unit.Parameters[param]
-	switch unit.Type {
-	case "envelope":
-		switch param {
-		case "attack":
-			return engineeringTime(math.Pow(2, 24*float64(value)/128) / 44100)
-		case "decay":
-			return engineeringTime(math.Pow(2, 24*float64(value)/128) / 44100 * (1 - float64(unit.Parameters["sustain"])/128))
-		case "release":
-			return engineeringTime(math.Pow(2, 24*float64(value)/128) / 44100 * float64(unit.Parameters["sustain"]) / 128)
-		}
-	case "oscillator":
-		switch param {
-		case "type":
-			switch value {
-			case Sine:
-				return "Sine"
-			case Trisaw:
-				return "Trisaw"
-			case Pulse:
-				return "Pulse"
-			case Gate:
-				return "Gate"
-			case Sample:
-				return "Sample"
-			default:
-				return "Unknown"
-			}
-		case "transpose":
-			relvalue := value - 64
-			octaves := relvalue / 12
-			semitones := relvalue % 12
-			if octaves != 0 {
-				return fmt.Sprintf("%v oct, %v st", octaves, semitones)
-			}
-			return fmt.Sprintf("%v st", semitones)
-		case "detune":
-			return fmt.Sprintf("%v st", float32(value-64)/64.0)
-		}
-	case "compressor":
-		switch param {
-		case "attack":
-			fallthrough
-		case "release":
-			alpha := math.Pow(2, -24*float64(value)/128) // alpha is the "smoothing factor" of first order low pass iir
-			sec := -1 / (44100 * math.Log(1-alpha))      // from smoothing factor to time constant, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_smoothing
-			return engineeringTime(sec)
-		case "ratio":
-			return fmt.Sprintf("1 : %.3f", 1-float64(value)/128)
-		}
-	case "loadval":
-		switch param {
-		case "value":
-			return fmt.Sprintf("%.2f", float32(value)/64-1)
-		}
-	case "send":
-		switch param {
-		case "amount":
-			return fmt.Sprintf("%.2f", float32(value)/64-1)
-		case "voice":
-			if value == 0 {
-				targetIndex, _, err := p.FindUnit(unit.Parameters["target"])
-				if err == nil && targetIndex != instrIndex {
-					return "all"
-				}
-				return "self"
-			}
-			return fmt.Sprintf("%v", value)
-		case "target":
-			instrIndex, unitIndex, err := p.FindUnit(unit.Parameters["target"])
-			if err != nil {
-				return "invalid target"
-			}
-			instr := p[instrIndex]
-			unit := instr.Units[unitIndex]
-			return fmt.Sprintf("%v / %v%v", instr.Name, unit.Type, unitIndex)
-		case "port":
-			instrIndex, unitIndex, err := p.FindUnit(unit.Parameters["target"])
-			if err != nil {
-				return fmt.Sprintf("%v ???", value)
-			}
-			portList := Ports[p[instrIndex].Units[unitIndex].Type]
-			if value < 0 || value >= len(portList) {
-				return fmt.Sprintf("%v ???", value)
-			}
-			return fmt.Sprintf(portList[value])
-		}
-	case "delay":
-		switch param {
-		case "notetracking":
-			switch value {
-			case 0:
-				return "fixed"
-			case 1:
-				return "tracks pitch"
-			case 2:
-				return "tracks BPM"
-			}
-		}
-	case "in", "aux":
-		switch param {
-		case "channel":
-			switch value {
-			case 0:
-				return "left"
-			case 1:
-				return "right"
-			case 2:
-				return "aux1 left"
-			case 3:
-				return "aux1 right"
-			case 4:
-				return "aux2 left"
-			case 5:
-				return "aux2 right"
-			case 6:
-				return "aux3 left"
-			case 7:
-				return "aux3 right"
-			}
-		}
-	case "dbgain":
-		switch param {
-		case "decibels":
-			return fmt.Sprintf("%.2f dB", 40*(float32(value)/64-1))
-		}
-	case "crush":
-		switch param {
-		case "resolution":
-			return fmt.Sprintf("%v bits", 24*float32(value)/128)
-		}
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func engineeringTime(sec float64) string {
-	if sec < 1e-3 {
-		return fmt.Sprintf("%.2f us", sec*1e6)
-	} else if sec < 1 {
-		return fmt.Sprintf("%.2f ms", sec*1e3)
-	}
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%.2f s", sec)
-}

tracker/action.go

@@ -176,6 +176,7 @@ func (m *Model) Undo() Action {
 			m.undoStack = m.undoStack[:len(m.undoStack)-1]
 			m.prevUndoKind = ""
 			(*Model)(m).send(m.d.Song.Copy())
+			(*Model)(m).send(m.ExtParams())
 		},
 	}
 }
@@ -193,6 +194,7 @@ func (m *Model) Redo() Action {
 			m.redoStack = m.redoStack[:len(m.redoStack)-1]
 			m.prevUndoKind = ""
 			(*Model)(m).send(m.d.Song.Copy())
+			(*Model)(m).send(m.ExtParams())
 		},
 	}
 }
@@ -408,3 +410,30 @@ func (m *Model) completeAction(checkSave bool) {
 		m.dialog = NoDialog
 	}
 }
+
+func (m *Model) SetExtLink(index int) Action {
+	return Action{
+		do: func() {
+			defer m.change("SetExtLink", ExtParamLinkChange, MajorChange)()
+			p, _ := m.Params().SelectedItem().(NamedParameter)
+			for i := range p.m.d.ExtParamLinks {
+				if i == index {
+					continue
+				}
+				if p.m.d.ExtParamLinks[i].UnitID == p.unit.ID && p.m.d.ExtParamLinks[i].ParamName == p.up.Name {
+					p.m.d.ExtParamLinks[i] = ExtParamLink{}
+				}
+			}
+			if index > -1 {
+				p.m.d.ExtParamLinks[index] = ExtParamLink{UnitID: p.unit.ID, ParamName: p.up.Name}
+			}
+		},
+		allowed: func() bool {
+			if index < -1 || index >= len(m.d.ExtParamLinks) {
+				return false
+			}
+			_, ok := m.Params().SelectedItem().(NamedParameter)
+			return ok
+		},
+	}
+}

tracker/gioui/unit_editor.go

@@ -24,27 +24,39 @@ import (
 )
 
 type UnitEditor struct {
-	sliderList     *DragList
-	searchList     *DragList
-	Parameters     []*ParameterWidget
-	DeleteUnitBtn  *ActionClickable
-	CopyUnitBtn    *TipClickable
-	ClearUnitBtn   *ActionClickable
-	DisableUnitBtn *BoolClickable
-	SelectTypeBtn  *widget.Clickable
-	caser          cases.Caser
+	sliderList       *DragList
+	searchList       *DragList
+	Parameters       []*ParameterWidget
+	DeleteUnitBtn    *ActionClickable
+	CopyUnitBtn      *TipClickable
+	ClearUnitBtn     *ActionClickable
+	DisableUnitBtn   *BoolClickable
+	SelectTypeBtn    *widget.Clickable
+	ExtLinkMenuItems []MenuItem
+	ExtLinkMenu      Menu
+	caser            cases.Caser
 }
 
 func NewUnitEditor(m *tracker.Model) *UnitEditor {
 	ret := &UnitEditor{
-		DeleteUnitBtn:  NewActionClickable(m.DeleteUnit()),
-		ClearUnitBtn:   NewActionClickable(m.ClearUnit()),
-		DisableUnitBtn: NewBoolClickable(m.UnitDisabled().Bool()),
-		CopyUnitBtn:    new(TipClickable),
-		SelectTypeBtn:  new(widget.Clickable),
-		sliderList:     NewDragList(m.Params().List(), layout.Vertical),
-		searchList:     NewDragList(m.SearchResults().List(), layout.Vertical),
+		DeleteUnitBtn:    NewActionClickable(m.DeleteUnit()),
+		ClearUnitBtn:     NewActionClickable(m.ClearUnit()),
+		DisableUnitBtn:   NewBoolClickable(m.UnitDisabled().Bool()),
+		CopyUnitBtn:      new(TipClickable),
+		SelectTypeBtn:    new(widget.Clickable),
+		sliderList:       NewDragList(m.Params().List(), layout.Vertical),
+		searchList:       NewDragList(m.SearchResults().List(), layout.Vertical),
+		ExtLinkMenu:      Menu{},
+		ExtLinkMenuItems: []MenuItem{{Text: "None", IconBytes: icons.HardwarePhoneLinkOff, Doer: m.SetExtLink(-1)}},
 	}
+	for i := 0; i < tracker.ExtParamCount; i++ {
+		ret.ExtLinkMenuItems = append(ret.ExtLinkMenuItems, MenuItem{
+			Text:      fmt.Sprintf("P%v", i),
+			IconBytes: icons.HardwarePhoneLink,
+			Doer:      m.SetExtLink(i),
+		})
+	}
+
 	ret.caser = cases.Title(language.English)
 	return ret
 }
@@ -104,6 +116,9 @@ func (pe *UnitEditor) layoutSliders(gtx C, t *Tracker) D {
 		}
 		paramStyle := t.ParamStyle(t.Theme, pe.Parameters[index])
 		paramStyle.Focus = pe.sliderList.TrackerList.Selected() == index
+		if m, ok := pe.Parameters[index].Parameter.(tracker.NamedParameter); ok {
+			paramStyle.Linked = m.Linked() == index
+		}
 		dims := paramStyle.Layout(gtx)
 		return D{Size: image.Pt(gtx.Constraints.Max.X, dims.Size.Y)}
 	}
@@ -132,6 +147,7 @@ func (pe *UnitEditor) layoutFooter(gtx C, t *Tracker) D {
 		text = pe.caser.String(text)
 	}
 	hintText := Label(text, white, t.Theme.Shaper)
+
 	return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Horizontal, Alignment: layout.Middle}.Layout(gtx,
 		layout.Rigid(deleteUnitBtnStyle.Layout),
 		layout.Rigid(copyUnitBtnStyle.Layout),
@@ -214,6 +230,7 @@ type ParameterWidget struct {
 	unitBtn     widget.Clickable
 	unitMenu    Menu
 	Parameter   tracker.Parameter
+	extLinkBtn  TipClickable
 }
 
 type ParameterStyle struct {
@@ -221,6 +238,7 @@ type ParameterStyle struct {
 	w       *ParameterWidget
 	Theme   *material.Theme
 	Focus   bool
+	Linked  bool
 }
 
 func (t *Tracker) ParamStyle(th *material.Theme, paramWidget *ParameterWidget) ParameterStyle {
@@ -233,6 +251,29 @@ func (t *Tracker) ParamStyle(th *material.Theme, paramWidget *ParameterWidget) P
 
 func (p ParameterStyle) Layout(gtx C) D {
 	return layout.Flex{Axis: layout.Horizontal, Alignment: layout.Middle}.Layout(gtx,
+		layout.Rigid(func(gtx C) D {
+			ue := p.tracker.InstrumentEditor.unitEditor
+			extLinkMenuBtnStyle := TipIcon(p.Theme, &p.w.extLinkBtn, icons.ContentLink, "Link to external parameter")
+			if !p.Linked {
+				extLinkMenuBtnStyle.IconButtonStyle.Color = disabledTextColor
+				if !p.Focus {
+					extLinkMenuBtnStyle.IconButtonStyle.Color = transparent
+				}
+			}
+			dims := extLinkMenuBtnStyle.Layout(gtx)
+			if p.Focus {
+				m := PopupMenu(&ue.ExtLinkMenu, p.Theme.Shaper)
+				for p.w.extLinkBtn.Clickable.Clicked(gtx) {
+					m.Menu.Visible = true
+				}
+				op.Offset(image.Pt(0, dims.Size.Y)).Add(gtx.Ops)
+				gtx.Constraints.Max.Y = gtx.Dp(unit.Dp(200))
+				gtx.Constraints.Max.X = gtx.Dp(unit.Dp(180))
+				m.Layout(gtx, ue.ExtLinkMenuItems...)
+			}
+			return dims
+
+		}),
 		layout.Rigid(func(gtx C) D {
 			gtx.Constraints.Min.X = gtx.Dp(unit.Dp(110))
 			return layout.E.Layout(gtx, Label(p.w.Parameter.Name(), white, p.tracker.Theme.Shaper))

tracker/model.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
+	"math"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 
@@ -11,6 +12,8 @@ import (
 	"github.com/vsariola/sointu/vm"
 )
 
+const ExtParamCount = 16
+
 // Model implements the mutable state for the tracker program GUI.
 //
 // Go does not have immutable slices, so there's no efficient way to guarantee
@@ -37,6 +40,7 @@ type (
 		RecoveryFilePath        string
 		ChangedSinceRecovery    bool
 		Loop                    Loop
+		ExtParamLinks           [ExtParamCount]ExtParamLink
 	}
 
 	Model struct {
@@ -106,6 +110,20 @@ type (
 		model *Model
 	}
 
+	// ExtParamLink is for linking VST parameters to the patch parameters. There's
+	// fixed number of parameters in the VST plugin and these are linked to
+	// particular parameters of a unit.
+	ExtParamLink struct {
+		UnitID    int
+		ParamName string
+	}
+
+	ExtValueArray [ExtParamCount]float32
+	ExtParamArray [ExtParamCount]struct {
+		Val   float32
+		Param sointu.UnitParameter
+	}
+
 	IsPlayingMsg   struct{ bool }
 	StartPlayMsg   struct{ sointu.SongPos }
 	BPMMsg         struct{ int }
@@ -133,6 +151,7 @@ const (
 	BPMChange
 	RowsPerBeatChange
 	LoopChange
+	ExtParamLinkChange
 	SongChange ChangeType = PatchChange | ScoreChange | BPMChange | RowsPerBeatChange
 )
 
@@ -247,6 +266,9 @@ func (m *Model) change(kind string, t ChangeType, severity ChangeSeverity) func(
 			if m.changeType&LoopChange != 0 {
 				m.send(m.d.Loop)
 			}
+			if m.changeType&ExtParamLinkChange != 0 || m.changeType&PatchChange != 0 {
+				m.send(m.ExtParams())
+			}
 			m.undoSkipCounter++
 			var limit int
 			switch m.changeSeverity {
@@ -322,6 +344,7 @@ func (m *Model) UnmarshalRecovery(bytes []byte) {
 	}
 	m.d.ChangedSinceRecovery = false
 	m.send(m.d.Song.Copy())
+	m.send(m.ExtParams())
 	m.send(m.d.Loop)
 	m.updatePatternUseCount()
 }
@@ -355,6 +378,8 @@ func (m *Model) ProcessPlayerMessage(msg PlayerMsg) {
 		m.Alerts().AddAlert(e)
 	case IsPlayingMsg:
 		m.playing = e.bool
+	case ExtValueArray:
+		m.SetExtValues(e)
 	default:
 	}
 }
@@ -389,6 +414,51 @@ func (m *Model) Instrument(index int) sointu.Instrument {
 	return m.d.Song.Patch[index].Copy()
 }
 
+func (m *Model) ExtParams() (params ExtParamArray) {
+	for i, l := range m.d.ExtParamLinks {
+		instrIndex, unitIndex, err := m.d.Song.Patch.FindUnit(l.UnitID)
+		if err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		unit := m.d.Song.Patch[instrIndex].Units[unitIndex]
+		if up, ok := sointu.UnitTypes[unit.Type]; ok {
+			for _, p := range up {
+				if p.Name == l.ParamName && p.CanSet && p.MaxValue > p.MinValue {
+					params[i].Val = float32(unit.Parameters[l.ParamName]-p.MinValue) / float32(p.MaxValue-p.MinValue)
+					params[i].Param = p
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return
+}
+
+func (m *Model) SetExtValues(vals ExtValueArray) {
+	defer m.change("SetExtValues", PatchChange, MinorChange)()
+	changed := false
+	for i, l := range m.d.ExtParamLinks {
+		instrIndex, unitIndex, err := m.d.Song.Patch.FindUnit(l.UnitID)
+		if err != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		unit := m.d.Song.Patch[instrIndex].Units[unitIndex]
+		if up, ok := sointu.UnitTypes[unit.Type]; ok {
+			for _, p := range up {
+				if p.Name == l.ParamName && p.CanSet && p.MaxValue > p.MinValue {
+					newVal := int(math.Round(float64(vals[i])*float64(p.MaxValue-p.MinValue))) + p.MinValue
+					if unit.Parameters[l.ParamName] != newVal {
+						unit.Parameters[l.ParamName] = newVal
+						changed = true
+					}
+				}
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	if !changed {
+		m.changeCancel = true
+	}
+}
+
 func (d *modelData) Copy() modelData {
 	ret := *d
 	ret.Song = d.Song.Copy()

tracker/model_test.go

@@ -21,6 +21,14 @@ func (NullContext) BPM() (bpm float64, ok bool) {
 	return 0, false
 }
 
+func (NullContext) Params() (params tracker.ExtValueArray, ok bool) {
+	return tracker.ExtValueArray{}, false
+}
+
+func (NullContext) SetParams(params tracker.ExtParamArray) bool {
+	return false
+}
+
 type modelFuzzState struct {
 	model     *tracker.Model
 	clipboard []byte

tracker/params.go

@@ -162,13 +162,29 @@ func (p NamedParameter) Type() ParameterType {
 
 func (p NamedParameter) Hint() string {
 	val := p.Value()
-	text := p.m.d.Song.Patch.ParamHintString(p.m.d.InstrIndex, p.m.d.UnitIndex, p.up.Name)
-	if text != "" {
-		text = fmt.Sprintf("%v / %v", val, text)
-	} else {
-		text = strconv.Itoa(val)
+	if p.up.DisplayFunc != nil {
+		valueInUnits, units := p.up.DisplayFunc(val)
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%d / %s %s", val, valueInUnits, units)
 	}
-	return text
+	if p.unit.Type == "send" && p.up.Name == "voice" && val == 0 {
+		targetIndex, _, err := p.m.FindUnit(p.unit.Parameters["target"])
+		if err == nil && targetIndex != p.m.d.InstrIndex {
+			return "all"
+		}
+		return "self"
+	}
+	if p.unit.Type == "send" && p.up.Name == "port" {
+		instrIndex, unitIndex, err := p.m.FindUnit(p.unit.Parameters["target"])
+		if err != nil {
+			return strconv.Itoa(val)
+		}
+		portList := sointu.Ports[p.m.d.Song.Patch[instrIndex].Units[unitIndex].Type]
+		if val < 0 || val >= len(portList) {
+			return strconv.Itoa(val)
+		}
+		return fmt.Sprintf(portList[val])
+	}
+	return strconv.Itoa(val)
 }
 
 func (p NamedParameter) LargeStep() int {
@@ -178,6 +194,15 @@ func (p NamedParameter) LargeStep() int {
 	return 16
 }
 
+func (p NamedParameter) Linked() int {
+	for i, l := range p.m.d.ExtParamLinks {
+		if l.UnitID == p.unit.ID && l.ParamName == p.up.Name {
+			return i
+		}
+	}
+	return -1
+}
+
 // GmDlsEntryParameter
 
 func (p GmDlsEntryParameter) Name() string        { return "sample" }

tracker/player.go

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ type (
 		voiceLevels     [vm.MAX_VOICES]float32 // a level that can be used to visualize the volume of each voice
 		voices          [vm.MAX_VOICES]voice
 		loop            Loop
+		extParamValues  ExtValueArray
 
 		recState  recState  // is the recording off; are we waiting for a note; or are we recording
 		recording Recording // the recorded MIDI events and BPM
@@ -39,6 +40,8 @@ type (
 	PlayerProcessContext interface {
 		NextEvent() (event MIDINoteEvent, ok bool)
 		BPM() (bpm float64, ok bool)
+		Params() (params ExtValueArray, ok bool)
+		SetParams(params ExtParamArray) bool
 	}
 
 	// MIDINoteEvent is a MIDI event triggering or releasing a note. In
@@ -225,6 +228,10 @@ func (p *Player) advanceRow() {
 }
 
 func (p *Player) processMessages(context PlayerProcessContext) {
+	if value, ok := context.Params(); ok && value != p.extParamValues {
+		p.extParamValues = value
+		p.send(p.extParamValues)
+	}
 loop:
 	for { // process new message
 		select {
@@ -293,6 +300,8 @@ loop:
 					}
 					p.recState = recStateNone
 				}
+			case ExtParamArray:
+				context.SetParams(m)
 			default:
 				// ignore unknown messages
 			}