diff --git a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstController.cpp b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstController.cpp
index 9f7b9246..4cd7abfc 100644
--- a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstController.cpp
+++ b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstController.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "base/source/fstreamer.h"
 #include "base/source/updatehandler.h"
 #include <atomic>
+#include <cassert>
 
 tresult PLUGIN_API SfizzVstControllerNoUi::initialize(FUnknown* context)
 {
@@ -226,7 +227,7 @@ tresult PLUGIN_API SfizzVstControllerNoUi::setComponentState(IBStream* stream)
 
 tresult SfizzVstControllerNoUi::notify(Vst::IMessage* message)
 {
-    // Note: may be called from any thread (Reaper)
+    // Note: is expected to be called from the controller thread only
 
     tresult result = EditController::notify(message);
     if (result != kResultFalse)
@@ -239,103 +240,62 @@ tresult SfizzVstControllerNoUi::notify(Vst::IMessage* message)
     }
 
     const char* id = message->getMessageID();
-    Vst::IAttributeList* attr = message->getAttributes();
 
     ///
-    auto stringFromBinaryAttribute = [attr](const char* id, absl::string_view& string) -> tresult {
-        const void* data = nullptr;
-        uint32 size = 0;
-        tresult result = attr->getBinary(id, data, size);
-        if (result == kResultTrue)
-            string = absl::string_view(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(data), size);
-        return result;
-    };
-
-    ///
-    if (!strcmp(id, "LoadedSfz")) {
-        absl::string_view sfzFile;
-        absl::string_view sfzDescriptionBlob;
-
-        result = stringFromBinaryAttribute("File", sfzFile);
-        if (result != kResultTrue)
-            return result;
-
-        result = stringFromBinaryAttribute("Description", sfzDescriptionBlob);
-        if (result != kResultTrue)
-            return result;
-
-        sfzUpdate_->setPath(std::string(sfzFile));
+    if (!strcmp(id, SfzUpdate::getFClassID())) {
+        if (!sfzUpdate_->convertFromMessage(*message)) {
+            assert(false);
+            return kResultFalse;
+        }
         sfzUpdate_->deferUpdate();
-        sfzDescriptionUpdate_->setDescription(std::string(sfzDescriptionBlob));
+    }
+    else if (!strcmp(id, SfzDescriptionUpdate::getFClassID())) {
+        if (!sfzDescriptionUpdate_->convertFromMessage(*message)) {
+            assert(false);
+            return kResultFalse;
+        }
         sfzDescriptionUpdate_->deferUpdate();
     }
-    else if (!strcmp(id, "LoadedScala")) {
-        absl::string_view scalaFile;
-
-        result = stringFromBinaryAttribute("File", scalaFile);
-        if (result != kResultTrue)
-            return result;
-
-        scalaUpdate_->setPath(std::string(scalaFile));
+    else if (!strcmp(id, ScalaUpdate::getFClassID())) {
+        if (!scalaUpdate_->convertFromMessage(*message)) {
+            assert(false);
+            return kResultFalse;
+        }
         scalaUpdate_->deferUpdate();
     }
-    else if (!strcmp(id, "NotifiedPlayState")) {
-        const void* data = nullptr;
-        uint32 size = 0;
-        result = attr->getBinary("PlayState", data, size);
-
-        if (result != kResultTrue)
-            return result;
-
-        playStateUpdate_->setState(*static_cast<const SfizzPlayState*>(data));
+    else if (!strcmp(id, PlayStateUpdate::getFClassID())) {
+        if (!playStateUpdate_->convertFromMessage(*message)) {
+            assert(false);
+            return kResultFalse;
+        }
         playStateUpdate_->deferUpdate();
     }
-    else if (!strcmp(id, "ReceivedMessage")) {
-        const void* data = nullptr;
-        uint32 size = 0;
-        result = attr->getBinary("Message", data, size);
-
-        if (result != kResultTrue)
-            return result;
-
-        IPtr<OSCUpdate> update = Steinberg::owned(
-            new OSCUpdate(reinterpret_cast<const uint8*>(data), size));
-        queuedUpdates_->enqueue(update);
-        queuedUpdates_->deferUpdate();
-    }
-    else if (!strcmp(id, "NoteEvents")) {
-        const void* data = nullptr;
-        uint32 size = 0;
-        result = attr->getBinary("Events", data, size);
-
-        const auto* events = reinterpret_cast<
-            const std::pair<uint32_t, float>*>(data);
-        uint32 numEvents = size / sizeof(events[0]);
-
-        IPtr<NoteUpdate> update = Steinberg::owned(
-            new NoteUpdate(events, numEvents));
-        queuedUpdates_->enqueue(update);
-        queuedUpdates_->deferUpdate();
-    }
-    else if (!strcmp(id, "Automate")) {
-        const void* data = nullptr;
-        uint32 size = 0;
-        result = attr->getBinary("Data", data, size);
-
-        if (result != kResultTrue)
-            return result;
-
-        const uint8* pos = reinterpret_cast<const uint8*>(data);
-        const uint8* end = pos + size;
-
-        while (static_cast<size_t>(end - pos) >= sizeof(uint32) + sizeof(float)) {
-            Vst::ParamID pid = *reinterpret_cast<const uint32*>(pos);
-            pos += sizeof(uint32);
-            float value = *reinterpret_cast<const float*>(pos);
-            pos += sizeof(float);
-            #pragma message("setParam() on non-UI thread is dangerous on Reaper, make it deferred instead") //NOLINT
-            setParam(pid, value);
+    else if (!strcmp(id, OSCUpdate::getFClassID())) {
+        IPtr<OSCUpdate> update = OSCUpdate::createFromMessage(*message);
+        if (!update) {
+            assert(false);
+            return kResultFalse;
         }
+        queuedUpdates_->enqueue(update);
+        queuedUpdates_->deferUpdate();
+    }
+    else if (!strcmp(id, NoteUpdate::getFClassID())) {
+        IPtr<NoteUpdate> update = NoteUpdate::createFromMessage(*message);
+        if (!update) {
+            assert(false);
+            return kResultFalse;
+        }
+        queuedUpdates_->enqueue(update);
+        queuedUpdates_->deferUpdate();
+    }
+    else if (!strcmp(id, AutomationUpdate::getFClassID())) {
+        IPtr<AutomationUpdate> update = AutomationUpdate::createFromMessage(*message);
+        if (!update) {
+            assert(false);
+            return kResultFalse;
+        }
+        for (AutomationUpdate::Item item : update->getItems())
+            setParam(item.first, item.second);
     }
 
     return result;
diff --git a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstProcessor.cpp b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstProcessor.cpp
index a2d8573e..0614803b 100644
--- a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstProcessor.cpp
+++ b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstProcessor.cpp
@@ -78,6 +78,20 @@ tresult PLUGIN_API SfizzVstProcessor::initialize(FUnknown* context)
     // initialize the update handler
     Steinberg::UpdateHandler::instance();
 
+    _queuedMessages = Steinberg::owned(new QueuedUpdates);
+    _playStateUpdate = Steinberg::owned(new PlayStateUpdate);
+    _sfzUpdate = Steinberg::owned(new SfzUpdate);
+    _sfzDescriptionUpdate = Steinberg::owned(new SfzDescriptionUpdate);
+    _scalaUpdate = Steinberg::owned(new ScalaUpdate);
+    _automationUpdate = Steinberg::owned(new AutomationUpdate);
+
+    _queuedMessages->addDependent(this);
+    _playStateUpdate->addDependent(this);
+    _sfzUpdate->addDependent(this);
+    _sfzDescriptionUpdate->addDependent(this);
+    _scalaUpdate->addDependent(this);
+    _automationUpdate->addDependent(this);
+
     addAudioOutput(STR16("Audio Output"), Vst::SpeakerArr::kStereo);
     addEventInput(STR16("Event Input"), 1);
 
@@ -115,6 +129,18 @@ tresult PLUGIN_API SfizzVstProcessor::initialize(FUnknown* context)
     return result;
 }
 
+tresult PLUGIN_API SfizzVstProcessor::terminate()
+{
+    _queuedMessages->removeDependent(this);
+    _playStateUpdate->removeDependent(this);
+    _sfzUpdate->removeDependent(this);
+    _sfzDescriptionUpdate->removeDependent(this);
+    _scalaUpdate->removeDependent(this);
+    _automationUpdate->removeDependent(this);
+
+    return AudioEffect::terminate();
+}
+
 tresult PLUGIN_API SfizzVstProcessor::setBusArrangements(Vst::SpeakerArrangement* inputs, int32 numIns, Vst::SpeakerArrangement* outputs, int32 numOuts)
 {
     bool isStereo = numIns == 0 && numOuts == 1 && outputs[0] == Vst::SpeakerArr::kStereo;
@@ -132,10 +158,7 @@ tresult PLUGIN_API SfizzVstProcessor::connect(IConnectionPoint* other)
         return result;
 
     // when controller connects, send these messages that we couldn't earlier
-    if (_loadedSfzMessage)
-        sendMessage(_loadedSfzMessage);
-    if (_automateMessage)
-        sendMessage(_automateMessage);
+    _queuedMessages->deferUpdate();
 
     return kResultTrue;
 }
@@ -316,7 +339,7 @@ tresult PLUGIN_API SfizzVstProcessor::process(Vst::ProcessData& data)
     synth.sendMessage(client, 0, "/sw/last/current", "", nullptr);
 
     //
-    std::pair<uint32, float> noteEvents[128];
+    NoteUpdate::Item noteEvents[128];
     size_t numNoteEvents = 0;
     for (uint32 key = 0; key < 128; ++key) {
         float value = _noteEventsCurrentCycle[key];
@@ -528,7 +551,7 @@ void SfizzVstProcessor::processMessagesFromUi()
 
 tresult PLUGIN_API SfizzVstProcessor::notify(Vst::IMessage* message)
 {
-    // Note(jpc) this notification is not necessarily handled by the RT thread
+    // Note(jpc) this notification is not handled by the RT thread
 
     tresult result = AudioEffect::notify(message);
     if (result != kResultFalse)
@@ -563,10 +586,8 @@ tresult PLUGIN_API SfizzVstProcessor::notify(Vst::IMessage* message)
         _synth->loadScalaFile(_state.scalaFile);
         lock.unlock();
 
-        Steinberg::OPtr<Vst::IMessage> reply { allocateMessage() };
-        reply->setMessageID("LoadedScala");
-        reply->getAttributes()->setBinary("File", _state.scalaFile.data(), _state.scalaFile.size());
-        sendMessage(reply);
+        _scalaUpdate->setPath(_state.scalaFile);
+        _scalaUpdate->deferUpdate();
     }
     else if (!std::strcmp(id, "MidiMessage")) {
         const void* data = nullptr;
@@ -601,7 +622,48 @@ bool SfizzVstProcessor::processUpdate(FUnknown* changedUnknown, int32 message)
         return true;
     }
 
-    // TODO
+    if (OSCUpdate* update = FCast<OSCUpdate>(changedUnknown)) {
+        if (IPtr<Vst::IMessage> message = update->convertToMessage(this))
+            sendMessage(message);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    if (PlayStateUpdate* update = FCast<PlayStateUpdate>(changedUnknown)) {
+        if (IPtr<Vst::IMessage> message = update->convertToMessage(this))
+            sendMessage(message);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    if (NoteUpdate* update = FCast<NoteUpdate>(changedUnknown)) {
+        if (IPtr<Vst::IMessage> message = update->convertToMessage(this))
+            sendMessage(message);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    if (SfzUpdate* update = FCast<SfzUpdate>(changedUnknown)) {
+        if (IPtr<Vst::IMessage> message = update->convertToMessage(this))
+            sendMessage(message);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    if (SfzDescriptionUpdate* update = FCast<SfzDescriptionUpdate>(changedUnknown)) {
+        if (IPtr<Vst::IMessage> message = update->convertToMessage(this))
+            sendMessage(message);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    if (ScalaUpdate* update = FCast<ScalaUpdate>(changedUnknown)) {
+        if (IPtr<Vst::IMessage> message = update->convertToMessage(this))
+            sendMessage(message);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    if (AutomationUpdate* update = FCast<AutomationUpdate>(changedUnknown)) {
+        if (IPtr<Vst::IMessage> message = update->convertToMessage(this))
+            sendMessage(message);
+        return true;
+    }
+
     return false;
 }
 
@@ -637,12 +699,6 @@ void SfizzVstProcessor::loadSfzFileOrDefault(const std::string& filePath, bool i
 
     const std::string descBlob = getDescriptionBlob(synth.handle());
 
-    Steinberg::OPtr<Vst::IMessage> loadMessage { allocateMessage() };
-    loadMessage->setMessageID("LoadedSfz");
-    Vst::IAttributeList* loadAttrs = loadMessage->getAttributes();
-    loadAttrs->setBinary("File", filePath.data(), filePath.size());
-    loadAttrs->setBinary("Description", descBlob.data(), descBlob.size());
-
     {
         std::vector<absl::optional<float>> newControllers(sfz::config::numCCs);
         const std::vector<absl::optional<float>> oldControllers = std::move(_state.controllers);
@@ -665,26 +721,21 @@ void SfizzVstProcessor::loadSfzFileOrDefault(const std::string& filePath, bool i
     }
 
     // create a message which requests the controller to automate initial parameters
-    Steinberg::OPtr<Vst::IMessage> automateMessage { allocateMessage() };
-    automateMessage->setMessageID("Automate");
-    Vst::IAttributeList* automateAttrs = automateMessage->getAttributes();
-    std::string automateBlob;
-    automateBlob.reserve(sfz::config::numCCs * (sizeof(uint32) + sizeof(float)));
+    std::vector<AutomationUpdate::Item> automationItems;
+    automationItems.reserve(sfz::config::numCCs);
     for (uint32 cc = 0; cc < sfz::config::numCCs; ++cc) {
-        uint32 pid = kPidCC0 + cc;
+        Vst::ParamID pid = kPidCC0 + cc;
         float value = _state.controllers[cc].value_or(0.0f);
-        automateBlob.append(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(&pid), sizeof(uint32));
-        automateBlob.append(reinterpret_cast<const char*>(&value), sizeof(float));
+        automationItems.emplace_back(pid, value);
     }
-    automateAttrs->setBinary("Data", automateBlob.data(), uint32(automateBlob.size()));
-
-    // sending can fail if controller is not connected yet, so keep it around
-    _loadedSfzMessage = loadMessage;
-    _automateMessage = automateMessage;
 
     // send message
-    sendMessage(loadMessage);
-    sendMessage(automateMessage);
+    _sfzUpdate->setPath(filePath);
+    _sfzUpdate->deferUpdate();
+    _sfzDescriptionUpdate->setDescription(descBlob);
+    _sfzDescriptionUpdate->deferUpdate();
+    _automationUpdate->setItems(std::move(automationItems));
+    _automationUpdate->deferUpdate();
 }
 
 void SfizzVstProcessor::doBackgroundWork()
@@ -729,16 +780,16 @@ void SfizzVstProcessor::doBackgroundWork()
             _synth->setPreloadSize(value);
         }
         else if (id == kMsgIdReceiveOSC) {
-            Steinberg::OPtr<Vst::IMessage> notification { allocateMessage() };
-            notification->setMessageID("ReceivedMessage");
-            notification->getAttributes()->setBinary("Message", msg->payload<uint8_t>(), msg->size);
-            sendMessage(notification);
+            IPtr<OSCUpdate> update = Steinberg::owned(
+                new OSCUpdate(msg->payload<uint8>(), msg->size));
+            _queuedMessages->enqueue(update);
+            _queuedMessages->deferUpdate();
         }
         else if (id == kMsgIdNoteEvents) {
-            Steinberg::OPtr<Vst::IMessage> notification { allocateMessage() };
-            notification->setMessageID("NoteEvents");
-            notification->getAttributes()->setBinary("Events", msg->payload<uint8_t>(), msg->size);
-            sendMessage(notification);
+            IPtr<NoteUpdate> update = Steinberg::owned(
+                new NoteUpdate(msg->payload<NoteUpdate::Item>(), msg->size / sizeof(NoteUpdate::Item)));
+            _queuedMessages->enqueue(update);
+            _queuedMessages->deferUpdate();
         }
 
         Clock::time_point currentTime = Clock::now();
@@ -755,10 +806,8 @@ void SfizzVstProcessor::doBackgroundIdle(size_t idleCounter)
     {
         SfizzPlayState ps;
         ps.activeVoices = _synth->getNumActiveVoices();
-        Steinberg::OPtr<Vst::IMessage> notification { allocateMessage() };
-        notification->setMessageID("NotifiedPlayState");
-        notification->getAttributes()->setBinary("PlayState", &ps, sizeof(ps));
-        sendMessage(notification);
+        _playStateUpdate->setState(ps);
+        _playStateUpdate->deferUpdate();
     }
 
     if (idleCounter % 25 == 0) {
diff --git a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstProcessor.h b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstProcessor.h
index 89ff1850..a41016e8 100644
--- a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstProcessor.h
+++ b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstProcessor.h
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 #pragma once
 #include "SfizzVstState.h"
+#include "SfizzVstUpdates.h"
 #include "OrderedEventProcessor.h"
 #include "plugin/RMSFollower.h"
 #include "sfizz/RTSemaphore.h"
@@ -27,6 +28,7 @@ public:
     ~SfizzVstProcessor();
 
     tresult PLUGIN_API initialize(FUnknown* context) override;
+    tresult PLUGIN_API terminate() override;
     tresult PLUGIN_API setBusArrangements(Vst::SpeakerArrangement* inputs, int32 numIns, Vst::SpeakerArrangement* outputs, int32 numOuts) override;
 
     tresult PLUGIN_API connect(IConnectionPoint* other) override;
@@ -56,8 +58,6 @@ public:
 private:
     // synth state. acquire processMutex before accessing
     std::unique_ptr<sfz::Sfizz> _synth;
-    Steinberg::IPtr<Vst::IMessage> _loadedSfzMessage;
-    Steinberg::IPtr<Vst::IMessage> _automateMessage;
     bool _isActive = false;
     SfizzVstState _state;
     float _currentStretchedTuning = 0;
@@ -70,6 +70,12 @@ private:
     bool _editorIsOpen = false;
 
     // updates
+    IPtr<QueuedUpdates> _queuedMessages;
+    IPtr<PlayStateUpdate> _playStateUpdate;
+    IPtr<SfzUpdate> _sfzUpdate;
+    IPtr<SfzDescriptionUpdate> _sfzDescriptionUpdate;
+    IPtr<ScalaUpdate> _scalaUpdate;
+    IPtr<AutomationUpdate> _automationUpdate;
     bool processUpdate(FUnknown* changedUnknown, int32 message);
 
     // client
diff --git a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.cpp b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.cpp
index eac7a685..5dfcfd3a 100644
--- a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.cpp
+++ b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.cpp
@@ -57,10 +57,118 @@ bool OSCUpdate::loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs)
 }
 
 ///
-NoteUpdate::NoteUpdate(const Item* items, uint32 count)
+bool NoteUpdate::saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const
 {
-    Item* copy = new Item[count];
-    std::copy_n(items, count, copy);
-    events_.reset(copy);
-    count_ = count;
+    return attrs->setBinary("Events", events_.data(), events_.size() * sizeof(Item)) == kResultTrue;
+}
+
+bool NoteUpdate::loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs)
+{
+    const void* binData = nullptr;
+    uint32 binSize = 0;
+    if (attrs->getBinary("Events", binData, binSize) != kResultTrue)
+        return false;
+
+    const Item* events = reinterpret_cast<const Item*>(binData);
+    uint32 numEvents = binSize / sizeof(Item);
+
+    events_.assign(events, events + numEvents);
+    return true;
+}
+
+///
+bool FilePathUpdate::saveFilePathAttributes_(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const
+{
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    return attrs->setBinary("Path", path_.data(), path_.size()) == kResultTrue;
+}
+
+bool FilePathUpdate::loadFilePathAttributes_(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs)
+{
+    const void* binData = nullptr;
+    uint32 binSize = 0;
+    if (attrs->getBinary("Path", binData, binSize) != kResultTrue)
+        return false;
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    path_.assign(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(binData), binSize);
+    return true;
+}
+
+///
+bool SfzUpdate::saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const
+{
+    return saveFilePathAttributes_(attrs);
+}
+
+bool SfzUpdate::loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs)
+{
+    return loadFilePathAttributes_(attrs);
+}
+
+///
+bool ScalaUpdate::saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const
+{
+    return saveFilePathAttributes_(attrs);
+}
+
+bool ScalaUpdate::loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs)
+{
+    return loadFilePathAttributes_(attrs);
+}
+
+///
+bool SfzDescriptionUpdate::saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const
+{
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    return attrs->setBinary("Blob", description_.data(), description_.size()) == kResultTrue;
+}
+
+bool SfzDescriptionUpdate::loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs)
+{
+    const void* binData = nullptr;
+    uint32 binSize = 0;
+    if (attrs->getBinary("Blob", binData, binSize) != kResultTrue)
+        return false;
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    description_.assign(reinterpret_cast<const char *>(binData), binSize);
+    return true;
+}
+
+///
+bool PlayStateUpdate::saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const
+{
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    return attrs->setInt("ActiveVoices", state_.activeVoices) == kResultTrue;
+}
+
+bool PlayStateUpdate::loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs)
+{
+    int64 activeVoices;
+    if (attrs->getInt("ActiveVoices", activeVoices) != kResultTrue)
+        return false;
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    state_.activeVoices = static_cast<uint32>(activeVoices);
+    return true;
+}
+
+///
+bool AutomationUpdate::saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const
+{
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    return attrs->setBinary("Items", items_.data(), items_.size() * sizeof(Item)) == kResultTrue;
+}
+
+bool AutomationUpdate::loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs)
+{
+    const void* binData = nullptr;
+    uint32 binSize = 0;
+    if (attrs->getBinary("Items", binData, binSize) != kResultTrue)
+        return false;
+
+    const Item* events = reinterpret_cast<const Item*>(binData);
+    uint32 numEvents = binSize / sizeof(Item);
+
+    std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+    items_.assign(events, events + numEvents);
+    return true;
 }
diff --git a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.h b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.h
index 23f8a529..76357d5f 100644
--- a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.h
+++ b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.h
@@ -25,7 +25,8 @@ public:
     virtual ~IConvertibleToMessage() {}
 
     IPtr<Vst::IMessage> convertToMessage(Vst::ComponentBase* sender) const;
-    static IPtr<T> convertFromMessage(Vst::IMessage& message);
+    bool convertFromMessage(Vst::IMessage& message);
+    static IPtr<T> createFromMessage(Vst::IMessage& message);
 
 protected:
     virtual bool saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const = 0;
@@ -75,25 +76,32 @@ private:
 /**
  * @brief Update which notifies one or more note on/off events
  */
-class NoteUpdate : public Steinberg::FObject {
+class NoteUpdate : public Steinberg::FObject,
+                   public IConvertibleToMessage<NoteUpdate> {
 public:
-    using Item = std::pair<uint32_t, float>;
+    using Item = std::pair<uint32, float>;
 
-    NoteUpdate(const Item* items, uint32 count);
-    const Item* events() const noexcept { return events_.get(); }
-    const uint32_t count() const noexcept { return count_; }
+    NoteUpdate() = default;
+    NoteUpdate(const Item* items, uint32 count) : events_(items, items + count) {}
+    const Item* events() const noexcept { return events_.data(); }
+    const uint32 count() const noexcept { return static_cast<uint32>(events_.size()); }
+
+    bool saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const override;
+    bool loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) override;
 
     OBJ_METHODS(NoteUpdate, FObject)
 
 private:
-    std::unique_ptr<Item[]> events_;
-    uint32_t count_ = 0;
+    std::vector<Item> events_;
 };
 
 /**
- * @brief Update which notifies a change of SFZ file.
+ * @brief Abstract update which notifies change of a certain file path.
  */
-class SfzUpdate : public Steinberg::FObject {
+class FilePathUpdate : public Steinberg::FObject {
+protected:
+    FilePathUpdate() = default;
+
 public:
     void setPath(std::string newPath)
     {
@@ -107,17 +115,46 @@ public:
         return path_;
     }
 
-    OBJ_METHODS(SfzUpdate, FObject)
+    OBJ_METHODS(FilePathUpdate, FObject)
+
+protected:
+    bool saveFilePathAttributes_(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const;
+    bool loadFilePathAttributes_(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs);
 
 private:
     std::string path_;
     mutable std::mutex mutex_;
 };
 
+/**
+ * @brief Update which notifies a change of SFZ file.
+ */
+class SfzUpdate : public FilePathUpdate,
+                  public IConvertibleToMessage<SfzUpdate> {
+public:
+    OBJ_METHODS(SfzUpdate, FilePathUpdate)
+
+    bool saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const override;
+    bool loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) override;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @brief Update which notifies a change of scala file.
+ */
+class ScalaUpdate : public FilePathUpdate,
+                    public IConvertibleToMessage<ScalaUpdate> {
+public:
+    OBJ_METHODS(ScalaUpdate, FilePathUpdate)
+
+    bool saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const override;
+    bool loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) override;
+};
+
 /**
  * @brief Update which notifies a change of SFZ description.
  */
-class SfzDescriptionUpdate : public Steinberg::FObject {
+class SfzDescriptionUpdate : public Steinberg::FObject,
+                             public IConvertibleToMessage<SfzDescriptionUpdate> {
 public:
     void setDescription(std::string newDescription)
     {
@@ -131,6 +168,9 @@ public:
         return description_;
     }
 
+    bool saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const override;
+    bool loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) override;
+
     OBJ_METHODS(SfzDescriptionUpdate, FObject)
 
 private:
@@ -138,34 +178,11 @@ private:
     mutable std::mutex mutex_;
 };
 
-/**
- * @brief Update which notifies a change of scala file.
- */
-class ScalaUpdate : public Steinberg::FObject {
-public:
-    void setPath(std::string newPath)
-    {
-        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
-        path_ = std::move(newPath);
-    }
-
-    std::string getPath() const
-    {
-        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
-        return path_;
-    }
-
-    OBJ_METHODS(ScalaUpdate, FObject)
-
-private:
-    std::string path_;
-    mutable std::mutex mutex_;
-};
-
 /**
  * @brief Update which indicates the playing SFZ status.
  */
-class PlayStateUpdate : public Steinberg::FObject {
+class PlayStateUpdate : public Steinberg::FObject,
+                        public IConvertibleToMessage<PlayStateUpdate> {
 public:
     void setState(SfizzPlayState newState)
     {
@@ -179,6 +196,9 @@ public:
         return state_;
     }
 
+    bool saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const override;
+    virtual bool loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) override;
+
     OBJ_METHODS(PlayStateUpdate, FObject)
 
 private:
@@ -186,4 +206,36 @@ private:
     mutable std::mutex mutex_;
 };
 
+/**
+ * @brief Update which automates a pack of parameters
+ */
+class AutomationUpdate : public Steinberg::FObject,
+                         public IConvertibleToMessage<AutomationUpdate> {
+public:
+    using Item = std::pair<Vst::ParamID, float>;
+
+    AutomationUpdate() = default;
+
+    void setItems(std::vector<Item> newItems)
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+        items_ = std::move(newItems);
+    }
+
+    std::vector<Item> getItems() const
+    {
+        std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(mutex_);
+        return items_;
+    }
+
+    bool saveToAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) const override;
+    bool loadFromAttributes(Vst::IAttributeList* attrs) override;
+
+    OBJ_METHODS(AutomationUpdate, FObject)
+
+private:
+    std::vector<Item> items_;
+    mutable std::mutex mutex_;
+};
+
 #include "SfizzVstUpdates.hpp"
diff --git a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.hpp b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.hpp
index 48f9d32a..5b1ce1f9 100644
--- a/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.hpp
+++ b/plugins/vst/SfizzVstUpdates.hpp
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 template <class T>
 IPtr<Vst::IMessage> IConvertibleToMessage<T>::convertToMessage(Vst::ComponentBase* sender) const
 {
-    IPtr<Vst::IMessage> message = owned(sender->allocateMessage());
+    IPtr<Vst::IMessage> message = Steinberg::owned(sender->allocateMessage());
     if (!message)
         return nullptr;
     message->setMessageID(static_cast<const T*>(this)->isA());
@@ -20,13 +20,22 @@ IPtr<Vst::IMessage> IConvertibleToMessage<T>::convertToMessage(Vst::ComponentBas
 }
 
 template <class T>
-IPtr<T> IConvertibleToMessage<T>::convertFromMessage(Vst::IMessage& message)
+IPtr<T> IConvertibleToMessage<T>::createFromMessage(Vst::IMessage& message)
 {
     IPtr<T> object;
     if (!strcmp(T::getFClassID(), message.getMessageID())) {
-        object = owned(new T);
+        object = Steinberg::owned(new T);
         if (!object->loadFromAttributes(message.getAttributes()))
             object = nullptr;
     }
     return object;
 }
+
+template <class T>
+bool IConvertibleToMessage<T>::convertFromMessage(Vst::IMessage& message)
+{
+    bool success = false;
+    if (!strcmp(T::getFClassID(), message.getMessageID()))
+        success = loadFromAttributes(message.getAttributes());
+    return success;
+}