AUdIoCoUrSeS
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014
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| Creating a VST Intrument |
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This thread is to be considered a "workshop" so we can fully explore the concept of
building a VST instrument and/or VST effect
suitable for plugging into your favourite VST compatible host, such as Cubase.
We will start the workshop off from the starting point of zero, i.e. we know nothing about this concept.
All opinions and suggestions will be very much appreciated and valid, we are seeking all your information sources regarding this topic, we intend to build this up to be a unique and informative resource.
I think to get the ball rolling we could ask the question of what exactly is a VST effect and what is the fundamental environment within which they operate?
Anyone like to get us going here?
_________________
It's all in the ears. - Learn the concepts not the software.
Audio Courses is a way into the music business for you
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Sun Jun 05, 2005 1:44 pm |
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raykeefe
Newbie
Joined: 16 Sep 2002
Posts: 8
Location: Melbourne, Australia |
| VST Effects |
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Hi,
I have down some embedded software development before but not a streaming plug in for a PC.
Firstly, a VST effect accepts blocks of bytes from a host application, processes them and passes them back. There are different ways of handling this depending on the number of channels being handled (ie. mono, stereo, 5.1 ...). Parameters for the effect are adjusted using a user interface component. Important factors are low latency (doesn't delay the returned data for long) low CPU usage (so the machine doesn't grind to a halt and lose sync) and conformance to the design specifications for VST (so it works with lots of different hosts) and support for automation (so the host can alter parameters in real time (for multichannel automated mixdown).
Having never developed on of these before, I would start by getting the Steinberg VST developers SDK. Go to:
http://www.steinberg.de/Steinberg/Developers8b99.html?Langue_ID=2&loc=lMen1449
You will need to register with them to get the URL to download the developers kit. It provides all the instructions for how the module works and the interfaces (software calls) it must support.
I use Borland C++ Builder for my PC projects so I went to www.borland.com and logged in as a developer. This gave me access to the developer network resources. There wasn't much there on making a VST plug in using Borland C++ Builder.
A google search produced the following useful links:
http://www.u-he.com/vstsource/archive.php?classid=5#36
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30071
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/tutorial/diy1/3.asp
Better get back to work now. But that is a start.
Ray
_________________
Ray |
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Sun Jun 05, 2005 9:23 pm |
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AUdIoCoUrSeS
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014
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| Re: VST Effects |
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quote:
Originally posted by raykeefe
Hi,
I have down some embedded software development before but not a streaming plug in for a PC.
Firstly, a VST effect accepts blocks of bytes from a host application, processes them and passes them back. There are different ways of handling this depending on the number of channels being handled (ie. mono, stereo, 5.1 ...). Parameters for the effect are adjusted using a user interface component. Important factors are low latency (doesn't delay the returned data for long) low CPU usage (so the machine doesn't grind to a halt and lose sync) and conformance to the design specifications for VST (so it works with lots of different hosts) and support for automation (so the host can alter parameters in real time (for multichannel automated mixdown).
Having never developed on of these before, I would start by getting the Steinberg VST developers SDK. Go to:
http://www.steinberg.de/Steinberg/Developers8b99.html?Langue_ID=2&loc=lMen1449
You will need to register with them to get the URL to download the developers kit. It provides all the instructions for how the module works and the interfaces (software calls) it must support.
I use Borland C++ Builder for my PC projects so I went to www.borland.com and logged in as a developer. This gave me access to the developer network resources. There wasn't much there on making a VST plug in using Borland C++ Builder.
A google search produced the following useful links:
http://www.u-he.com/vstsource/archive.php?classid=5#36
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30071
http://www.computermusic.co.uk/tutorial/diy1/3.asp
Better get back to work now. But that is a start.
Ray
A cracking start there Ray, many thanks, this is a really good introduction to get us going.
I'm now wondering if we should actually have a pet project for us to follow as it gets built, is that something you would consider? Or anyone?
_________________
It's all in the ears. - Learn the concepts not the software.
Audio Courses is a way into the music business for you
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Mon Jun 06, 2005 1:27 pm |
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AUdIoCoUrSeS
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014
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| VST Categorisation |
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Checking out the Steinberg site reveals that in order to register for a VST licence you have to define your VST as belonging to one of the following categories:
Effect ( general)
Analysis ( e.g. phasescope )
Mastering ( dedicated mastering) processors
Spacializer ( e.g. panners )
RoomFx ( e.g. delays and reverbs )
SurroundFx ( dedicated surround ) processors
Restoration ( e.g. noise-click removal)
OfflineProcess ( e.g. resampling)
Dynamics ( e.g. compressor llimiter)
CreativeFX ( e.g. filter - ringmodulator - distortion)
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Synth ( general)
DrumModules ( synthesis or sampling)
ClassicalInstruments ( e.g. grand piano physical models)
Sampler
CreativeModuls ( e.g. audio processed via MIDI Note On/Off)
Other
Perhaps we should choose one, or look further into the complexities (construction) involved for each? I guess they will differ radically in the programming?
_________________
It's all in the ears. - Learn the concepts not the software.
Audio Courses is a way into the music business for you
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Mon Jun 06, 2005 1:49 pm |
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wailingalleycat
Forum Manager
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 694
Location: Jersey C.I (UK) |
| pet VST |
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I think a pet project is a cool idea, screenshots in here or on a seperate page on the site, possibly "beta" versions to download and we could all chip in with ideas.
Firstly someone needs to offer to take on the task, and we need to decide what we want our plug-in to do.
any suggestions?
_________________
If In Doubt...Hit It With a Hammer, If Still In Doubt... Find a Bigger Hammer. |
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Mon Jun 06, 2005 4:00 pm |
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AUdIoCoUrSeS
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014
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| Re: pet VST |
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quote:
Originally posted by wailingalleycat
I think a pet project is a cool idea, screenshots in here or on a seperate page on the site, possibly "beta" versions to download and we could all chip in with ideas.
Firstly someone needs to offer to take on the task, and we need to decide what we want our plug-in to do.
any suggestions?
Well in terms of what it is to do I'd quite like our own Wah-Wah plug-in, with some interesting parameter tweaks.
I'm fairly keen to get working on this with a programmer.
Anyone else interested?
_________________
It's all in the ears. - Learn the concepts not the software.
Audio Courses is a way into the music business for you
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Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:37 am |
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wailingalleycat
Forum Manager
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 694
Location: Jersey C.I (UK) |
| pet wahwah |
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yup wah seems like a simple first attempt
_________________
If In Doubt...Hit It With a Hammer, If Still In Doubt... Find a Bigger Hammer. |
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Wed Jun 22, 2005 3:18 pm |
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wailingalleycat
Forum Manager
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 694
Location: Jersey C.I (UK) |
| What is Wah-Wah |
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Firstly:
Wah Wah is either a bandpass filter or an overcoupled lowpass filter that exhibits a resonant peak just at its lowpass rolloff frequency. The resonant peak can be moved up and down in frequency by the player, and this makes for a striking emulation of the human voice making a "waaaah" tone, or its tonal inverse, "aaaooow".
_________________
If In Doubt...Hit It With a Hammer, If Still In Doubt... Find a Bigger Hammer. |
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Wed Jun 22, 2005 3:34 pm |
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AUdIoCoUrSeS
Joined: 31 Oct 2002
Posts: 2014
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| VST Registered |
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Good stuff wailing, so we have a moveable low-pass filter to build as a VST.
I popped along to Steinberg and registered the VST idea as the "
Funky Humpa Wah
" which gives the project an authorised code to use the VST technology for development.
The next step was to download the development pack which provides the following files:
VST_Licensing_Agreement.html
VSTLogoArtwork.sea.hqx
VSTLogoArtwork.zip
VST_Logo_Usage_Guideline.pdf
VST_Licensing_Agreement.rtf
vstsdk2.3.dmg
vstsdk2.3.sit
vstsdk2.3.zip
I'll inform once I have understood these files.
_________________
It's all in the ears. - Learn the concepts not the software.
Audio Courses is a way into the music business for you
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Wed Jun 22, 2005 4:12 pm |
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