If you're not into writing VST plugins, or don't know what they are, this post isn't for you. Really. Get out. Don't prolong your suffering. Out, I said. Out!
So. Up until now I used to write VST plugins in Delphi. I got some very satisfying results, including a very complicated self-script-supporting modular synth system, but, well, all my algorithms are written in Pascal, which is all nice and dandee until one needs to copy them to a non-Pascal environment. So I've been wanting to write’em in C++ for quite a long time, but never got to it.
The original VST SDK is, of course, in C++, but the graphic-design option is simply a disaster. Borland's C++Builder would be a very good tool, but for some reason it always refused to compile anything with even remotely resembled a VST plugin.
But not anymore. I found out how to do it, and in order to allow everyone to join the party, I created a demo project, source included, and put it online. Here.
Enjoy, people.
(I should also update my VST Plugins page, which is horribly outdated now. I hope I find the time anytime soon.)
ניר יניב
דמות בדיונית ומעלליה
I've always wanted to ask you about those. Do you really have to write them yourself? I mean, isn't there like a gazillion of them laying on the internet looking for new homes? Can you actually make something new in this field?
Also: I find programming regarding music to be a fascinating idea. Interestingly, the other way around (composing music regarding programming) doesn't work as well, however.
As you stated, indeed there are a gazillion of’em and a musician/technician can spend a rich and eventful life merely trying them out. Thus, of course I don't have to write them myself. I just think it's fun to do. Plus, if I want something very specific, I sometimes prefer writing it and knowing exactly what it'll do and exactly how it'll behave, instead of breaking my head over someone else's work. Still, it's mostly just for kicks.
Nir,
If you are programming these plug-ins for fun, I recommend that you look into doing it in Python. Really, I do not understand any more how C++ can be spelled out together with the word fun in the same logical unit. I estimate that for every 20 lines of cypher C++ code you will only need 1 elegant line of Python code, and the fun meter is guaranteed to go at least 300% up since you will be busy concentrating on what you want to code instead of how you want to code it. A simple Google search indicates that there are Python modules for this VST technology.
Nir
Does this Python thing allow for GUI development the way C++Builder and Delphi do? Also – how efficient is it? Remember – almost every operation of a plugin happens at least 44100 times a second…