Cobalt Drift Neo - Quick Start
================================

Cobalt Drift Neo is a Windows software synthesizer for Progressive Trance, Melodic House, and Deep Progressive production.

Version: 1.3.3

This file contains the minimum information needed to install the product and confirm that it makes sound. For detailed usage, read Cobalt_Drift_Neo_Manual_EN_v1.3.pdf.


1. System Requirements
--------------------------------

OS:
  Windows 11 64-bit recommended

Formats:
  VST3
  CLAP
  Standalone

Host:
  64-bit DAW with VST3 or CLAP support

Standalone:
  Windows Audio / WASAPI / DirectSound / ASIO


2. Install Locations
--------------------------------

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

Or:
  %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Common\VST3\

CLAP:
  C:\Program Files\Common Files\CLAP\

Or:
  %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Common\CLAP\

Standalone:
  The Standalone app can be placed anywhere.

Examples:
  C:\Program Files\Cobalt Drift Neo\
  Documents\Cobalt Drift Neo\

Included sounds:
  Cobalt Drift Neo starts with only the Init bank and Init preset.
  This Init state is a flat OSC A Saw patch with Filter / Insert / FX / Modulation disabled.
  The VST3, CLAP, and Standalone applications embed only Init.
  The release package includes these separate .neo banks in Expansions for manual import:
    Factory.neo
    Factory Lite.neo
    Factory 1.1.neo
    Factory Lite 1.1.neo


3. First Sound Check
--------------------------------

VST3 / CLAP:
  1. Place the plugin file in the correct folder above.
  2. Open your DAW.
  3. Run a plugin rescan.
  4. Load Cobalt Drift Neo on an Instrument / Synth track.
  5. Confirm Bank is Init and Preset is Init Basic Saw Neo.
  6. Play MIDI notes into the plugin.
  7. Import Expansions\Factory Lite.neo from the Bank menu when you want to add sounds. On high-performance CPUs, optionally import Expansions\Factory.neo, Expansions\Factory 1.1.neo, or Expansions\Factory Lite 1.1.neo.

Standalone:
  1. Launch Cobalt Drift Neo.exe.
  2. Open Audio/MIDI settings from Options.
  3. Select an Audio Output Device.
  4. Click the Performance Keyboard at the bottom of the GUI to test sound.
  5. To use an external MIDI keyboard, enable the MIDI Input Device from Options.


4. Presets
--------------------------------

Factory Presets:
  Only Init Basic Saw Neo is built in.
  Each new launch starts from Init, with Filter 1 and Filter 2 set to None.
  Factory.neo, Factory Lite.neo, Factory 1.1.neo, and Factory Lite 1.1.neo are included as external .neo Expansion banks in the package.
  They are not embedded in the applications and appear in Bank only after the user imports them.

Main categories:
  Init / Lead / Pluck / Pad / Bass / Reese Bass / 808 Bass / Keys / Chords / Arp / Sequence / Atmos / FX / Stab / Chord Hit
  CAT only shows categories that exist in the selected bank.

Expansion:
  .neo expansion files are supported.
  The Bank field displays the .neo file name.


5. Demo Version Limitations
--------------------------------

The Demo version has these limitations:

  Audio output stops after about 30 minutes.
  Preset Save is enabled.
  Expansion Import is enabled, including drag-and-drop .neo import.
  Expansion Export / Delete / Rename are disabled.
  DEMO is shown near the product logo.


6. If There Is No Sound
--------------------------------

VST3 / CLAP:
  Make sure MIDI notes are reaching the plugin.
  Check track monitoring, mute state, track volume, and master output in your DAW.

Standalone:
  Make sure an Audio Output Device is selected.
  Click the Performance Keyboard at the bottom of the GUI.
  To use an external MIDI keyboard, enable the MIDI Input Device from Options.


7. Version 1.3 Highlights
--------------------------------

Version 1.3 focuses on filter routing, oscillator-to-filter workflow, CPU stability, and preset-switch safety:

New:

  Added a Filter routing selector beside the Filter type navigation buttons.
  Filter routing can now be set to Serial or Parallel.
  Added per-oscillator Filter Destination selectors beside the oscillator Voice controls.
  Each oscillator can now be routed to Filter 1, Filter 2, or None.
  Added Browser SORT and ORDER dropdowns for Preset Name, Type, Character, BPM, and Rating sorting.
  Added diagnostics for serial/parallel filter routing, oscillator filter destinations, same-note voice reuse, and closed-cutoff filter leakage.

Improved:

  Filter 1 / Filter 2 workflow is clearer for stacked lowpass shapes, parallel band/notch textures, and oscillator-specific routing.
  OSC A / B / C can be excluded from the filter path with None when a clean layer is needed.
  Same-note retrigger handling now reuses matching voices and prioritizes releasing voices of the same pitch, reducing unnecessary active voices with minimal tonal impact.
  Standalone focus return is lighter because high-cost panel repainting and timer work were reduced.
  CPU Lv text and menu readability were improved, and the choices are now Eco / Normal / Rich.
  Browser Rating is now a local 1-5 dropdown that can be sorted without rewriting Factory or Expansion .neo banks.
  SuperWave and heavy filter paths now use CPU-aware guards under dense polyphonic load.
  MG Ladder 6 / 12 / 18 / 24 closed-cutoff behavior is more controlled while keeping the ladder character.
  Filter character diagnostics now check model identity over multiple cutoff, resonance, and drive points.

Fixed:

  Fixed a crash risk when switching presets after importing or browsing expansion banks.
  Fixed MG Ladder lowpass modes leaving too much dry-like source tone at very low cutoff with high resonance.
  Fixed Filter 1 / Filter 2 routing paths that could previously collapse into less distinct behavior.
  Fixed unnecessary duplicate same-pitch voice buildup during repeated note triggering.
  Fixed a Standalone UI responsiveness issue when returning to the Cobalt Drift Neo window from another application.

For full details, see CHANGELOG.md.


8. Compatibility and Performance Notes
--------------------------------

Version 1.3 preserves compatibility with existing presets, expansions, and DAW automation. APVTS parameter IDs and filter type ordering were not removed or reordered.

Existing Expansion / User Preset voice polyphony, oscillator unison, and wave index values are not automatically corrected. To reduce load, select Eco or Normal in CPU Lv, or use the included Lite Expansion banks.


JUCE Notice
--------------------------------

English:
  This product was developed using JUCE 8.
  JUCE is a C++ application and audio framework by Raw Material Software Limited.
  This product is not affiliated with or endorsed by Raw Material Software Limited.

Japanese:
  Cobalt Drift Neoは、Raw Material Software LimitedによるC++アプリケーション/オーディオフレームワークであるJUCE 8を使用して開発されています。
  Cobalt Drift NeoはRaw Material Software Limitedと提携しておらず、同社による推奨・承認を受けた製品ではありません。
