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Explore a VST plugin for StemDeck #404

Description

@thcp

Idea

Package StemDeck's stem separation as a VST plugin so it can be used directly inside a DAW, instead of only through the standalone web/desktop app.

Open questions to work through before any real design

  • Real-time separation isn't feasible for Demucs (needs full-track context and runs well below real-time on CPU/most GPUs) -- this would almost certainly have to be an offline "render" plugin (drop in audio, it separates, stems land back on the timeline), not a live effect.
  • Format scope: VST3 only, or also AU/AAX? Each has its own SDK/licensing (Steinberg's VST3 SDK is GPLv3/proprietary dual-license; AAX requires an Avid developer agreement).
  • Does this reuse the existing Python backend (plugin as a thin client talking to a local StemDeck server), or does it need a from-scratch native separation path? The former is far less work but ties the plugin to StemDeck already running locally.
  • UI: minimal (drop audio in, get stems back) vs. mirroring the desktop app's mixer.

Scope

Not started -- this is a tracking issue to capture the idea and the open questions above, not a design or implementation plan yet.

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