GROOVE60 - README for macOS / VST3

Thank you for downloading GROOVE60.

GROOVE60 is a non-destructive MIDI timing plug-in inspired by classic hardware sequencer timing concepts.

GROOVE60 does not generate sound by itself.
It is a MIDI timing processor designed to process the playback timing of MIDI notes and send the resulting MIDI to a drum instrument, sampler, synthesizer, or external MIDI instrument placed after it in the signal chain.

Important:
The macOS version of GROOVE60 is currently provided as VST3 only.
AU / Audio Unit is not included.
Therefore, GROOVE60 cannot currently be used in Logic Pro, GarageBand, or MainStage.


1. Overview

GROOVE60 applies three timing processes to MIDI playback inside your DAW:

- TC / Timing Correct
- SWING
- FIFO Queue Feel

Modern DAWs are extremely accurate, but perfectly aligned MIDI timing can sometimes feel rigid or flat.

GROOVE60 adds a classic hardware sequencer-style sense of cohesion and weight to MIDI playback by using 96PPQN-based Timing Correct, Swing, and FIFO Queue processing for MIDI events that occur at the same or very close timing.

GROOVE60 is not a random humanizer.
It does not add random timing jitter, velocity changes, drift, or random modulation.
It performs deterministic and repeatable MIDI timing processing.


2. Main Features

■ Non-destructive MIDI timing processing

GROOVE60 does not rewrite or edit MIDI clips in your DAW.
Only the MIDI output passing through GROOVE60 is temporarily processed during playback.

When BYPASS is enabled, the original MIDI timing is restored.


■ 96PPQN-based internal timing

GROOVE60 uses 96PPQN as its internal timing reference.

Quarter note = 96 ticks
Eighth note = 48 ticks
Sixteenth note = 24 ticks
Thirty-second note = 12 ticks

This 96PPQN grid is used for Timing Correct, Swing, and Queue detection.


■ TC / Timing Correct

TC moves MIDI notes toward the selected playback grid.

Available settings:

OFF
1/8
1/8T
1/16
1/16T
1/32
1/32T

For typical drum patterns and hi-hats, TC:1/16 is a good starting point.


■ SWING

SWING adds swing to the 1/8 or 1/16 grid.

50% = Straight
66% = Triplet feel
75% = Heavy swing

SWING is active only when TC is set to 1/8 or 1/16.
For the following TC settings, SWING is automatically disabled:

TC:OFF
TC:1/8T
TC:1/16T
TC:1/32
TC:1/32T

When SWING is disabled, the LCD shows SWING:OFF.


■ FIFO Queue Feel

GROOVE60 looks at the scheduled timing after TC and SWING, and treats MIDI events that occur at the same or very close timing as a FIFO Queue.

FIFO means “first in, first out.”
Events are processed in the order they are received.

Example:

Kick  -> almost unchanged
Snare -> slightly later
Hat   -> slightly later again
Clap  -> slightly later again

This adds a subtle sense of processing weight and depth to MIDI events that would otherwise occur at exactly the same time.

The event order received from the host is preserved.
Events are not re-sorted by note number, velocity, or MIDI channel.


■ Q-SENS

Q-SENS selects the sensitivity of the Queue Feel.

CLASSIC
A conservative response closer to classic hardware behavior.
Queue Feel occurs only when many MIDI events overlap.

ENHANCED
A slightly more responsive setting designed to make Queue Feel easier to notice in modern DAW patterns.

HOT
An emphasized setting for clearly checking the Queue Feel effect.


■ QUEUE LED

The QUEUE LED reacts only when an actual FIFO Queue delay occurs.
It does not react to TC or SWING alone.


■ BYPASS

When BYPASS is enabled, all MIDI timing processing in GROOVE60 is disabled.

When BYPASS is ON:

No TC
No SWING
No Queue Feel


■ PANIC

PANIC is a safety function for stuck notes.
It clears the internal queue and sends All Notes Off / All Sound Off / Sustain Off messages.


3. System Requirements

Supported OS:
macOS 15 or later recommended

Supported CPU:
Apple Silicon Mac / Intel Mac

Format:
VST3

Important:
The macOS version of GROOVE60 is provided as VST3 only.
AU / Audio Unit is not available.
Logic Pro, GarageBand, and MainStage do not support VST3 plug-ins, so GROOVE60 cannot currently be used in those hosts.

Recommended host:
A DAW that can use MIDI effects or VST3 plug-ins with MIDI output.

Examples:
Ableton Live
Cubase
REAPER
Other DAWs that support VST3 MIDI output

Note:
The handling of VST3 MIDI FX / VST3 MIDI Output differs depending on the DAW.
Before use, please check whether your DAW supports the required MIDI routing.


4. Installation

Copy the GROOVE60.vst3 file from the distributed folder to one of the following locations.

User VST3 folder:

~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3

Or, to install for all users:

/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3

In most cases, installing to the user folder is recommended:

~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3

After copying the file, launch your DAW or rescan your plug-ins, then select “GROOVE60” under the “Push and Groove” category.


5. If You Cannot Find the Library Folder

On macOS, the user Library folder is usually hidden.

Use the following steps in Finder:

1. Open Finder.
2. Click “Go” in the top menu bar.
3. Hold down the Option key.
4. Click “Library” when it appears.
5. Open Audio / Plug-Ins / VST3.
6. Copy GROOVE60.vst3 into that folder.

If the folder does not exist, create it as needed.

Example:

~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3


6. If macOS Shows a Warning / If the Plug-in Is Not Recognized

The macOS version of GROOVE60 may not currently be signed or notarized with an Apple Developer certificate.

Because of macOS Gatekeeper, you may see warnings during first launch or when the plug-in is scanned by your DAW, such as:

- “Cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.”
- “macOS cannot verify that this app is free from malware.”
- “The file is damaged and can’t be opened.”
- “Apple cannot check it for malicious software.”

These warnings are caused by macOS security features.
They may appear because the plug-in was downloaded from the internet or because it has not been signed and notarized by Apple.

If a warning appears, please check the following:

1. Make sure GROOVE60.vst3 is copied to the correct location.

~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3

or

/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3

2. Rescan plug-ins in your DAW.

3. Open macOS “System Settings” -> “Privacy & Security.”
If a warning related to GROOVE60 is shown, choose “Open Anyway” or “Allow.”


7. Removing the Quarantine Attribute with Terminal

macOS Gatekeeper may attach a quarantine attribute to downloaded plug-ins.
This quarantine attribute can prevent your DAW from loading GROOVE60.

If the plug-in is not recognized, run the following command in Terminal.

If installed in the user VST3 folder:

xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/GROOVE60.vst3

If installed in the system-wide VST3 folder:

sudo xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/GROOVE60.vst3

※ When using sudo, you may be asked to enter your Mac login password.
※ Run Terminal commands at your own risk.


8. Rescanning VST3 Plug-ins

VST3 plug-ins may be cached by your DAW.
If GROOVE60 does not appear after installation, completely quit and restart your DAW.

If it still does not appear, rescan VST3 plug-ins in your DAW’s plug-in manager.

Ableton Live:
In Preferences, open the Plug-Ins section, confirm that VST3 plug-ins are enabled, and rescan if necessary.

Cubase:
Use the VST Plug-in Manager to rescan VST3 plug-ins.

REAPER:
Go to Preferences / Plug-ins / VST, check the VST3 path, and run “Clear cache and rescan” or “Re-scan.”


9. Basic Usage

Insert GROOVE60 before the instrument.

Basic routing:

MIDI Clip / MIDI Input
-> GROOVE60
-> Drum Rack / Sampler / Synth / External MIDI Instrument
-> Audio Output

Steps:

1. Create a MIDI track.
2. Insert GROOVE60 before the instrument.
3. Place a drum instrument, sampler, synth, or external MIDI instrument after GROOVE60.
4. Select a TC setting. TC:1/16 is a recommended starting point.
5. Adjust SWING. 50% is straight, and 66% gives a triplet feel.
6. Select Q-SENS. CLASSIC or ENHANCED is recommended as a starting point.
7. Watch the Queue LED to check how Queue Feel reacts to overlapping MIDI events.


10. Using GROOVE60 in DAWs

GROOVE60 is a MIDI timing processor.
It must be inserted before the instrument.

Ableton Live:
Place GROOVE60 on a MIDI track before Drum Rack, Sampler, Simpler, or a software synth.
When sending MIDI to an instrument on another track, select the track containing GROOVE60 as the MIDI From input on the instrument track, and select the GROOVE60 output if needed.

Cubase:
Use GROOVE60 as a MIDI Insert, or in a routing configuration that allows MIDI to be processed and sent to a downstream VST Instrument.

Logic Pro:
The macOS version of GROOVE60 is currently released as VST3 only.
AU / Audio Unit is not available.
Therefore, GROOVE60 cannot be used in Logic Pro.

GarageBand / MainStage:
These hosts require AU / Audio Unit plug-ins.
GROOVE60 cannot currently be used in GarageBand or MainStage.

REAPER:
Place the plug-ins in the FX chain in this order:

GROOVE60 -> VSTi

If GROOVE60 is placed after the instrument, MIDI timing processing will not take effect.

MIDI FX, VST3 MIDI output, and AU MIDI FX handling differ depending on the DAW.
Please check compatibility with your DAW before use.


11. Recommended Settings

■ Classic Timing Feel

TC:1/16
SWING:60% - 66%
Q-SENS:CLASSIC

Recommended when you want a natural classic hardware sequencer-style swing feel.


■ Modern DAW Drums with Hardware Weight

TC:1/16
SWING:56% - 62%
Q-SENS:ENHANCED

Recommended when you want to add subtle weight and cohesion to modern drum patterns.


■ Strong Queue Check

TC:1/16
SWING:62% - 66%
Q-SENS:HOT

Use this setting when you want to clearly check the Queue Feel effect.


■ Straight Timing with Queue Feel

TC:1/16
SWING:50%
Q-SENS:ENHANCED

Recommended when you want to use Timing Correct and Queue Feel without adding swing.


12. Usage Notes

■ Latency

TC / Timing Correct may use fixed lookahead internally because MIDI events are moved toward the nearest grid during playback.

When monitoring real-time performance, you may feel some latency.
GROOVE60 is especially suited for processing the timing of MIDI clips during DAW playback.


■ MIDI clips are not rewritten

GROOVE60 is a non-destructive plug-in.
It does not directly edit MIDI clips, note positions, or velocity values in your DAW.


■ Velocity is not changed

GROOVE60 does not modify MIDI note velocity.
It focuses on timing processing so that tone, sample layers, and velocity-dependent sound changes are not unintentionally altered.


■ Queue LED

The Queue LED lights only when actual Queue Lag occurs.
It does not light from TC or SWING alone.


■ Stuck notes

In rare cases, notes may get stuck due to DAW stop behavior, bypass switching, or routing changes.
If this happens, press the PANIC button.


13. Troubleshooting

■ No sound

GROOVE60 is not an instrument.
Make sure a drum instrument, sampler, synth, or external MIDI instrument is connected after GROOVE60.


■ The plug-in does not appear in the DAW

- Make sure GROOVE60.vst3 is copied to the correct VST3 folder.
- Rescan VST3 plug-ins in your DAW.
- macOS Gatekeeper may have attached a quarantine attribute.
- If necessary, remove the quarantine attribute using the xattr command.


■ GROOVE60 does not appear in Logic Pro

The macOS version of GROOVE60 is currently VST3 only.
Logic Pro does not support VST3 plug-ins, so GROOVE60 cannot be used in Logic Pro.
An AU / Audio Unit version would be required for Logic Pro support.


■ SWING shows OFF

SWING is active only when TC is set to 1/8 or 1/16.
When TC is OFF, a triplet setting, or a 1/32 setting, SWING is automatically disabled.


■ Queue LED does not light

The Queue LED lights only when multiple MIDI events occur at the same or very close timing and actual Queue Lag is generated.
It may not light on monophonic phrases or patterns with very few overlapping events.


14. License Terms

Copyright:
The copyright of this software belongs to Push and Groove.

Disclaimer:
The developer assumes no responsibility for any direct or indirect damages caused by the use of this software, including hardware failure, data loss, or damage to production files.
Use this software at your own risk.

Prohibited actions:
Reverse engineering, modification, unauthorized redistribution, and unauthorized sale of this software are prohibited.


15. Third-Party Licenses

This software is developed using the following frameworks and SDKs:

iPlug2 Framework:
Licensed under the zlib-like license.

Steinberg VST3 SDK:
Copyright (c) Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
Licensed under the MIT License.

VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

Please refer to the official websites or source code repositories of each project for the full license texts.


16. Trademarks and Disclaimer

GROOVE60 is independently developed by Push and Groove.
It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or officially associated with Akai Professional, inMusic Brands, MPC, MPC60, or any other trademark holders.
This software is not an official product, official emulation, or official related product of any third party.

GROOVE60 is a MIDI timing processor inspired by classic hardware sequencer timing concepts.


17. Credits

GROOVE60
Developed by Push and Groove

(C) 2026 Push and Groove. All rights reserved.
