GROOVE60 README

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.


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:
Windows 10 / 11 64-bit

Format:
VST3

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

Important:
GROOVE60 is a MIDI timing processor.
GROOVE60 does not produce sound by itself.
It must be inserted before a drum instrument, sampler, synthesizer, or external MIDI instrument.

Please check the distribution page or official information for verified DAW compatibility and support status.


4. Installation

Copy the GROOVE60.vst3 file from the distributed folder.

Paste it into the folder recognized by your DAW:

VST3:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3

Launch your DAW or rescan your plug-ins, then select "GROOVE60" under the "Push and Groove" category.


5. Important Windows Note: Unblocking the Plug-in File

Due to Windows security features, plug-in files copied from another computer or downloaded from the internet may be blocked and may not load correctly in your DAW.

After installation, unblock the file if necessary:

1. Right-click the installed GROOVE60.vst3 file.
2. Open "Properties."
3. In the "General" tab, if you see a security message such as "This file came from another computer," check "Unblock" or "Allow," then click "OK."

If this option is not shown, the file is already unblocked.


6. Basic Usage

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.


7. 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.


8. Using GROOVE60 in DAWs

Insert GROOVE60 before the instrument.

Ableton Live:
Place GROOVE60 on a MIDI track before Drum Rack, Sampler, Simpler, or a software synth.
On the instrument track, set the MIDI From input type to [GROOVE60], and set the input channel to [GROOVE60] rather than [Pre FX/Post FX].

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 current release is VST3 only and cannot be used in Logic Pro.

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.


9. 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.


10. 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 the file is copied to the correct VST3 folder.
- Rescan plug-ins in your DAW.
- The Windows "Unblock" step may be required.


■ 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.


11. 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.


12. 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.

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


13. 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.


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