Vibe coding is an AI-assisted programming approach where you describe what you want in natural language, and the AI generates the code.
I'm Artur Nowak, and I built Augmatic GRE this way. The whole plugin was created through my natural-language prompts, while the AI wrote the actual C++ and JUCE code.
When I first heard about vibe coding, I was skeptical. After doing it, I'm even more skeptical. The spark came from watching my son Leon build a speedcubing timer app with AI. I thought, "Okay… maybe this isn't a fairy tale." Augmatic GRE is dedicated to him. I love you Leon!
I've been using music software for a long time — over 20 years with Native Instruments Reaktor (RIP?) and more recently Max — so I wasn't starting from zero. I already knew what PPQ was, at least.
I enjoy making music on the iPad, and I always had fun tweaking Mutable Instruments Grids patterns in VCV Rack inside Ableton Live. But there was no Grids port for iPad. miRack is an option, but my Grids patch eventually became too large to use on iPad Mini inside Drambo.
So I thought: why not make my own Grids port for the iPad? Despite my experience, I was naive enough to tell the AI, "Let's build Grids." It was supposed to be simple… and then I kept adding more ideas to make the rhythms more exciting.
Vibe coding sounds easy: tell the AI what you want, and it builds it. Apps on demand, right? Yeah, but not really. This project took many evenings and weekends over six months. I lost count of how many times the AI got stuck, confidently declared "this will work," and then absolutely did not work. That's where my Reaktor/Max background saved me: I had to design proper solutions myself, then instruct the AI to implement them. At one point I nearly asked it to build ~phasor from scratch. I know, I could use RNBO… maybe I will use it for the next project. I have many ideas and instruments in Reaktor which I would love to turn into self-contained plugins!
Augmatic GRE turned out well enough that I decided to release it. The code is open, so JUCE developers can have a good laugh and explain why AI won't replace them anytime soon. They'll be right.
I hope Augmatic GRE inspires you to create exciting rhythms and tracks. That's all I wanted for myself. #makeyourownplugins