Suggestion: LMMS as a VST3 (or CLAP) for use in other DAWs
LMMS is progressing nicely but slowly.
Perhaps a way to maximize the gains for serious music makers is to make an edition of LMMS which runs as a VST3 in other DAW hosts. (or CLAP if it's easier to program that).
Currently, DAWs such as FL Studio and MuLab do have that option. There's a separate file which is the plugin module and it can be installed or moved to the right folder. MuLab, for example, has the MuLab "app" (the DAW program), and then alternatively the MuLab "plugin" module.
I think there used to be other DAWs that could be run inside of other DAWs as a plugin, but I forget which ones.
The primary advantage is then we can benefit from the advanced DAW features that LMMS doesn't have yet (which could take too long to program), and yet still benefit from all the wonderful user-friendliness and features of LMMS.
For example, REAPER seriously lacks the kind of step editor that LMMS actually already is. If I could load LMMS as a synchronized plugin (MIDI sync to host, WAV audio sync to host), then it would be possible to do the percussion and accompanyment in LMMS more efficiently than FL Studio in some ways and with the advantages that LMMS brings to the table.
In FL Studio, the sync isn't perfect (as it is in some VST3 arpeggiators), so it syncs after a delay of at least 1 measure|bar.
If LMMS had issues, they could also sync to right after the first bar. It's like a "countdown to synchronization".
But after that initial delay, it flows as usual and chases the DAW host transport controls.
LMMS devs, you might have bitten off more than you can chew if you seek to compete with the huge commercial DAWs out there, but this would be a competitive shortcut to keep LMMS competitive and on the map. It might be a better use of programming time and patience. And CLAP and maybe VST3 programming probably have support and documentation for programmers.
LMMS doesn't need to support VST3 and CLAP internally, if instead it can be loaded as one of those in another DAW.
Please think seriously about it. I'm a current user of all the aforementioned DAWs, I really think this could bring LMMS into the fold much better than trying to add a bunch of other features. LMMS is currently lean and functional. You could maximize your gains and other feature requests wouldn't have as much bothersome pressure if those features were provided by the host DAW(s).
Peace be with you and happy 2026.
Sincerely,
mjolnir