Designing Software Synthesizer Plug-Ins in C++: For RackAFX, VST3, and Audio Units

Bridging the gap from theory to programming, Designing Software Synthesizer Plug-Ins in C++ For RackAFX, VST3 and Audio Units contains complete code for designing and implementing software synthesizers for both Windows and Mac platforms. You will learn synthesizer operation, starting with the underlying theory of each synthesizer component, and moving on to the theory of how these components combine to form fully working musical instruments that function on a variety of target digital audio workstations (DAWs). Containing some of the latest advances in theory and algorithm development, this book contains information that has never been published in textbook form, including several unique algorithms of the author’s own design.

The book is broken into three parts: plug-in programming, theory and design of the central synthesizer components of oscillators, envelope generators, and filters, and the design and implementation of six complete polyphonic software synthesizer musical instruments, which can be played in real time. The instruments implement advanced concepts including a user-programmable modulation matrix. The final chapter shows you the theory and code for a suite of delay effects to augment your synthesizers, introducing you to audio effect processing.

The companion website, www.focalpress.com/cw/pirkle, gives you access to free software to guide you through the application of concepts discussed in the book, and code for both Windows and Mac platforms. In addition to the software, it features bonus projects, application notes, and video tutorials. A reader forum, monitored by the author, gives you the opportunity for questions and information exchange.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Synthesizer Fundamentals
Chapter 2 Writing Plug-ins
Chapter 3 MIDI
Chapter 4 Analog and Digital Signal Processing
Chapter 5 Synthesizer Oscillator Design
Chapter 6 Envelope Generators and Controlled Amplifiers
Chapter 7 Synthesizer Filter Design
Chapter 8 Modulation Matrix, Polyphony, and Global Parameterization
Chapter 9 MiniSynth: Analog Modeling Synthesizer
Chapter 10 DigiSynth: Sample Playback Synthesizer
Chapter 11 VectorSynth and AniSynth: Vector Synthesizers
Chapter 12 DXSynth: FM Synthesizer
Chapter 13 Delay Effects