<- VA-1
Gillespie Audio + release notes

VA-1 1.1.0

A major update focused on AUv3 support, MIDI control, preset workflow, audio stability, and smoother performance across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

App Review status

VA-1 1.1.0 has been submitted to Apple for App Review and will be available on the App Store as soon as it is approved. Apple says 90% of submissions are reviewed in less than 24 hours, though review times can vary and incomplete submissions may take longer.

AUv3 instrument supportMIDI Learn across platformsDedicated user preset areaIndependent oscillator noise controls
VA-1 Virtual-Analog Synthesizer
VA-1 app icon
Major update
AUv3 + MIDI
01 / New Features

AUv3 Instrument Support

VA-1 can now run as an AUv3 instrument inside compatible host apps. The AUv3 version includes the VA-1 synth engine, a dedicated plugin editor, factory preset access, MIDI input, parameter automation, and saved plugin state.

MIDI Learn

VA-1 now includes a cleaner MIDI Learn workflow for mapping hardware controls to synth parameters. Mappings persist across launches and work more consistently across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Dedicated User Preset Area

Saved user presets now have their own dedicated area in the preset browser, making personal sounds easier to find, manage, favorite, and return to alongside the factory library.

Independent Oscillator Noise

Oscillator 1 and Oscillator 2 now each have their own noise control. This makes it easier to add air, grit, texture, transient bite, or analog-style movement to individual oscillator layers.

02 / Improvements

Expanded MIDI Performance Support

External MIDI support has been improved for note playing, control changes, program changes, pitch bend in the standalone app, all-notes-off handling, and panic/all-sound-off messages. Standard MIDI CCs remain mapped out of the box for common controls including mod wheel, master volume, filter cutoff, resonance, attack, decay, and release.

Smoother Sound Engine Behavior

The synth engine now has improved gain staging, smoother output dynamics, safer release-tail handling, and better behavior under dense chords, long releases, and heavy effect use.

Sequencer Timing Improvements

Sequencer playback timing has been tightened for live use, including while opening preset and effects controls. Loop wrap behavior and KEY mode performance have also been refined so patterns feel steadier while playing and tweaking.

Effects and Output Polish

The chorus, phaser, delay, and reverb chain has received stability and behavior improvements, with safer handling during demanding patches and smoother final output under load.

Platform Polish

This update includes layout refinements for iPhone and iPad, improved Mac performance workflows, stronger shared behavior across platforms, and better consistency between the standalone app and AUv3 instrument.

03 / Bug Fixes

Fixed Sine-Wave Chord Clicking/Crackling

Fixed an issue where sine-wave chords could produce clicking or crackling. Polyphonic sine and chord playback is now smoother, especially with longer releases, stacked voices, and sustained playing.

Improved Audio and Device Recovery

VA-1 now recovers more reliably when switching audio devices, changing Bluetooth routes, returning from interruptions, or resuming audio after system-level route changes.

Cleaner MIDI Learn Interface

Extra MIDI Learn marker clutter has been removed, and the older Mac right-click MIDI Learn behavior has been replaced with a more consistent MIDI Learn experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

AUv3 Preset Improvements

Factory presets are now available from the AUv3 version of VA-1, making it easier to start from the same sounds whether using the standalone app or a host.

Performance and stability

This release includes CPU and stability improvements for demanding patches, including smarter voice handling, safer output limiting, effect-load management under pressure, render-load guarding, release-tail fixes, MIDI mapping fixes, sequencer fixes, audio recovery fixes, preset browser improvements, and general reliability improvements throughout the app.