Audio and VST Development

We have done audio development of one type or another for 20 years. Invented and coded a version of the Karplus-Strong synthesiser algorithm on a 2650 micro in about 1979 and could play it in real-time from a connected scanned music keyboard.
Did some rather cool things with a DSP56k chip, and developed a visual programming system for it like a modular synthesiser in Smalltalk/V. Other systems too.

VTrainer C, C++ MFC

But PCs/Macs have more than enough power now for most things, and VSTs rule.

We use a DAW based on Reaper with a few bits of mostly DIY gear and we use several VSTs.  Reaper has a built in system, JS Script, to actually develop your own "VSTs". I would call it a rapid prototyping system, where you focus on the core of a VST.  SynthEDIT could also be used, in a similar way to my Smalltalk/V system all those years ago.

The really interesting part of commercial development always seems so small compared with all the house keeping that has to be done. And on going support may not be simple either.

JUCE is the framework for cross platform C++ VST development for a commercial release. It seems to be a decent platform.

Juce C++ VST Project

But when you want to have a look at an older project, that isn't compatible with the latest version of the library, and backwards compatibility isn't a priority for the developers, your in for some long term support issues. The younger the developer, the shorter the definition of "Legacy code" is.  The Juce guys consider 2010 an OLD version of the compiler.


I was involved with getting the Australian QuickBooks Accounting products product to work on VISTA when that came out.  An incredibly tedious task.
Compared to that, VST development is rather simple.....

Contact as at Art & Technology.