EAX Haunted Cavern Reverb Matching Sprint

# EAX Haunted Cavern Reverb Matching Sprint Notes

Generated: 2026-06-20 16:07:20 JST
Public repo: https://github.com/datajake1999/EAXReverb_VST
Primary paid request: https://github.com/datajake1999/EAXReverb_VST/issues/3
Duplicate request: https://github.com/datajake1999/EAXReverb_VST/issues/2
Existing open PR to treat as prior context only: https://github.com/datajake1999/EAXReverb_VST/pull/4
Inspected main commit: `8aaaa4f`
Fixed first sprint: $100
Confirmed money: $0

## Why this is a feasibility and matching sprint

The public issue contains a direct willingness-to-pay signal, but an existing open PR already attempted a `HAUNTED_CAVERN` preset and a later issue comment says that attempt did not match the requested sound. Duplicating that PR or claiming implementation credit would be unsafe. The viable paid lane is a bounded matching sprint: identify the target sonic attributes, map them to the EAX property surface in this repo, define a test matrix, and hand off a patch-ready preset specification only after exact acceptance and external payment proof.

## Repo facts

- `src/EAXReverb.h` currently declares `kNumPrograms = 113` and stores `programs[kNumPrograms]`.
- `src/presets.cpp` wires preset indexes through both `SetReverbPreset` and `GetPresetName`; main currently covers cases `0..112`.
- `src/efx-presets.h` defines the EFX/EAX property macros. The built-in `CAVE`, `HANGAR`, `SEWERPIPE`, `DIZZY`, `PSYCHOTIC`, `CHAPEL`, and `SMALLWATERROOM` presets are useful comparison anchors, not final answers.
- `src/EAXReverb.cpp` maps plugin parameters to `EFXEAXREVERBPROPERTIES` and calls `UpdateEffect` after parameter edits.
- `src/EAXReverb_proc.cpp` loads `programs[curProgram].properties` into `ReverbEffect` before processing.
- `src/ReverbEffect.cpp` computes early reflection, late reverb, echo, and modulation behavior from the EAX properties.
- `scripts/build_mingw.bat` expects a sibling `..\VST2_SDK` directory, so a compiled DLL is outside this autonomous public-safe sprint.

## Deliverable

1. Target-sound checklist: tail length, darkness/HF damping, early reflection level, late-reverb density, echo timing/depth, and modulation depth.
2. Parameter target table for a `HAUNTED_CAVERN` preset, expressed as EAX/EFX properties that fit the current repo.
3. A/B comparison protocol against `CAVE`, `HANGAR`, `SEWERPIPE`, `DIZZY`, `PSYCHOTIC`, and the existing PR attempt if the buyer chooses to evaluate it.
4. Patch-ready specification showing exactly which tables need a new preset macro, switch case, display name, and `kNumPrograms` update.
5. Listening-test matrix that can be run with public or buyer-authorized references only.
6. Risk list for VST2 SDK availability, host differences, sample-rate differences, target-reference ambiguity, and exact-clone expectations.

## Non-goals

- No copied private or copyrighted audio.
- No private binary, paid plugin, license key, or credential handling.
- No VST2 SDK redistribution.
- No compiled DLL promise in the first $100 sprint.
- No public comment, PR, or direct buyer message without explicit send approval.
- No guarantee that the result exactly clones a proprietary or ambiguous reference.

## Suggested starting target bands

These are starting bands for discussion, not a final preset:

| Attribute | Starting target |
| --- | --- |
| Tail length | Longer than `CAVE`, shorter than extreme `DIZZY`; roughly 4.5s to 7.5s first-pass range |
| Darkness | Lower HF presence than `CAVE`; avoid metallic ringing |
| Reflections | Strong enough to feel cavernous, but not a slapback-only effect |
| Late reverb | Dense and wide, with a slow decay that does not bury transients |
| Echo | Subtle depth, used for spatial cue rather than obvious delay |
| Modulation | Light movement only; enough to avoid static tail, not chorus-like |

## Draft response, still not posted

I saw the Haunted Cavern request and the existing open PR. Because there is already a disputed first-pass preset, I would not claim that work or promise a full merged implementation up front. I can offer a narrow $100 matching sprint: inspect the current EAXReverb preset/property path, define the exact Haunted Cavern target attributes, map them to EAX parameters, create an A/B listening-test matrix against the existing presets and prior PR attempt, and hand off a patch-ready preset specification. I would not need private samples, paid plugins, license keys, credentials, payment data, or private binaries, and I would only post a public follow-up or PR after explicit approval.

# EAX Haunted Cavern Repo-Grounded Handoff Packet

Generated: 2026-06-20 16:07:20 JST
Offer page: https://jaxassistant55.github.io/jax-micro-offer-studio/eax-haunted-cavern-reverb-matching-sprint.html
Public repo: https://github.com/datajake1999/EAXReverb_VST
Local public clone: `/Users/jax/autonomous_earning_run_2026-06-09/non_bounty/EAXReverb_VST`
Inspected main commit: `8aaaa4f`
Primary paid request: https://github.com/datajake1999/EAXReverb_VST/issues/3
Duplicate request: https://github.com/datajake1999/EAXReverb_VST/issues/2
Prior open PR context: https://github.com/datajake1999/EAXReverb_VST/pull/4
Fixed first sprint: $100
Confirmed money: $0

## Current issue state

The primary issue asks for a Haunted Cavern reverb and says the requester is willing to pay. A prior contributor opened PR #4 to add a `HAUNTED_CAVERN` preset, but a later comment says the attempted preset was not close to the requested effect. That makes direct implementation or duplicate PR work a poor autonomous target. The safe offer is a matching and validation sprint that can be claimed only after exact buyer acceptance and payment proof.

## Files inspected

1. `src/EAXReverb.h`
   - `kNumPrograms = 113` on main.
   - The plugin stores `EAXReverbProgram programs[kNumPrograms]`.
   - A new preset requires increasing the program count and preserving array bounds.

2. `src/presets.cpp`
   - `SetReverbPreset` maps preset indexes to EFX preset macros.
   - `GetPresetName` maps the same indexes to display names.
   - Main currently ends at index 112 with `SMALLWATERROOM`; a new preset must update both switch tables.

3. `src/efx-presets.h`
   - Contains `EFXEAXREVERBPROPERTIES` fields: density, diffusion, gain, HF/LF gain, decay time, decay ratios, reflections, late reverb, echo, modulation, air absorption, references, room rolloff, and decay-HF limit.
   - The built-in `CAVE` preset is the closest obvious baseline, while `HANGAR`, `SEWERPIPE`, `DIZZY`, `PSYCHOTIC`, `CHAPEL`, and `SMALLWATERROOM` provide contrast points for tail length, darkness, echo, and modulation.

4. `src/EAXReverb.cpp`
   - Plugin parameters write into `programs[curProgram].properties`.
   - `UpdateEffect` is called after parameter changes in the property range.
   - The UI/display layer already exposes the relevant EAX properties.

5. `src/EAXReverb_proc.cpp`
   - `UpdateEffect` loads the current program properties into `ReverbEffect`.
   - Audio is processed block-by-block through `ReverbEffectProcess`.

6. `src/ReverbEffect.cpp` and `src/ReverbEffect.h`
   - The reverb engine computes early reflections, late reverb, echo, modulation, delay lines, and damping from the EAX properties.
   - A credible matching sprint should tune property values and validate behavior, not modify the core engine first.

7. `scripts/build_mingw.bat`
   - The build command expects a sibling VST2 SDK directory at `..\VST2_SDK`.
   - First-sprint delivery should not promise a DLL unless the buyer separately provides a lawful build setup.

8. `readme.md` and `LICENSE.TXT`
   - The project is LGPL-oriented and based on the OpenAL Soft EAX reverb implementation lineage.
   - Any future patch should preserve license notices and avoid importing proprietary audio or SDK material.

## Exact user steps to claim this lane

1. Open the live offer page: https://jaxassistant55.github.io/jax-micro-offer-studio/eax-haunted-cavern-reverb-matching-sprint.html
2. Open this packet: https://jaxassistant55.github.io/jax-micro-offer-studio/eax_haunted_cavern_repo_grounded_packet.md
3. Open the prepared notes: https://jaxassistant55.github.io/jax-micro-offer-studio/eax_haunted_cavern_reverb_matching_notes.md
4. Add only a seller-owned checkout, invoice, marketplace order, or payment-request URL. Do not ask Codex to create a payment processor account, KYC, tax, payout, or refund setup.
5. Open the primary public lead: https://github.com/datajake1999/EAXReverb_VST/issues/3
6. Review the existing open PR before contacting anyone: https://github.com/datajake1999/EAXReverb_VST/pull/4
7. Do not claim the prior PR or imply the first-pass preset is yours.
8. If you decide to contact the requester, use the draft response only after you approve it.
9. Require this exact acceptance before payment:

   I accept the EAX Haunted Cavern Reverb Matching Sprint fixed-scope terms at $100. I understand work starts only after seller-owned external payment proof exists; I will provide only public or buyer-authorized target audio references and non-sensitive notes; the deliverable is limited to a repo-grounded parameter target plan, comparison checklist, tuning and listening-test matrix, and patch-ready preset specification; and private audio extraction, copyrighted or private sample redistribution, VST SDK redistribution, compiled DLL delivery, public comment posting, pull request posting, exact clone guarantee, plugin-host support, or ongoing revisions are not included unless separately agreed before payment.