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Software Synthesizerwith VST.NET

Kevin Reed

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Overview

Project motivations What is Virtual Studio Technology (VST)? What is VST.NET?

Audio Processing MIDI Processing

Combining Audio & MIDI Processing

Synth Future Developments

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Project Motivations

Show how easy it is to create effects andvirtual instruments using VST

Use VST.NET to create VST using C# .NET

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Virtual Studio Technology (VST)History

Developed by Steinberg in 1996 Provided a way to developed software based

emulations of audio processing hardware In 1999 included support for virtual

instruments (VSTi)

Neon (VSTi) - the first virtual analog synth

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VST.NET

Allows for VST development in any .

NET language (C#) Provides a structured framework Easier to learn than VST SDK

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Definition:VST Host = Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) = Reaper =

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Structure of a VST.NET Plugin

VST Host(Reaper)

VST.NETFramework

PluginRoot Class

VST.NET PluginInterface Manager

AudioProcessor

MIDIProcessor

MIDISource

PluginEditor

PluginPrograms

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Definitions

Audio Buffer - temporary package of

audio data to be sent to playback

MIDI - (Musical Instrument DigitalInterface) a way to communicate musicaldata from an input device

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Audio Processing

AudioBuffers

VST Host

(Reaper)

AudioProcessor

ProcessedAudio

Buffers

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Audio Processing

Done in blocks Block size set by VST host Size of block influences latency

latency - time delay from audio or MIDI input

to audio output as a result of processing

1

0

-1

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MIDI Processing

MIDI EventCollection

VST Host

(Reaper)

MIDIProcessor

ProcessedMIDI Event

AudioProcessor

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Combining MIDI & Audio

VST Host(Reaper)

MIDIProcessor

AudioProcessor

ProcessedMIDI Event

MIDI Event

Processed

MIDI Event

OutputBuffers

ProcessedOutput Buffers

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Synthesis Logic

When a note is presseda. Determine note frequencyb. Generate sound wave based on frequency

i. Sine, Square, Triangle, Sawtoothc. Apply Attack, Decay, and Sustaind. Fill audio output buffers until release

When a note is released Apply Release Stop filling output buffer

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SynthesisWaveforms

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SynthesisADSR

Attack time - the volume change from zerostarting when a key is pressed

Decay time - the volume level change after theattack is finished

Sustain level - the fundamental level of the

signal that is prolonged until the note is released Release time - the volume change from the

sustain level to zero after the key is released

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SynthesisADSR

Attack

De

cay

Sustain

ReleaseAm

plitud

e

Time

Note On Note Off

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Future Developments

Choose waveform in plugin editor

Combination of waveforms Edit ADSR parameters in real time

Legato - tie notes together Portamento - glide from one frequency

to the next

Polyphony - multiple notes at the sametime

Plugin Programs

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Sources

VST.NET http://vstnet.codeplex.com/ Marc's Blog Cabin - http://obiwanjacobi.blogspot.

com/2008/06/vstnet-plugin-structure.html Waveform - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waveform ADSR Envelope - http://en.wikipedia.

org/wiki/Synthesizer#ADSR_envelope

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthesizer#ADSR_envelopehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthesizer#ADSR_envelopehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waveformhttp://obiwanjacobi.blogspot.com/2008/06/vstnet-plugin-structure.htmlhttp://obiwanjacobi.blogspot.com/2008/06/vstnet-plugin-structure.htmlhttp://vstnet.codeplex.com/

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Questions?