Hi All,
I know I've posted an announcement about Praxis / Praxis LIVE here
before. Thought a few people might be interested in this blog entry
about Praxis' underlying architecture and the influence of the Actor
Model. Be really interested in any comments with thoughts, insights,
corrections, stupid mistakes, similar models in use elsewhere, etc.,
etc.
http://praxisintermedia.wordpress.com/2012/07/26/the-influence-of-the-actor…
Thanks in advance.
Best wishes,
Neil
--
Neil C Smith
Artist : Technologist : Adviser
http://neilcsmith.net
Praxis - open-source intermedia system for live creative play -
http://code.google.com/p/praxis
OpenEye - specialist web solutions for the cultural, education,
charitable and local government sectors - http://openeye.info
> > For historical interest. I did complete the GMPI prototype.
> I don't suppose the code for those modular synthesis plugins is
> available? :)
I release as many as possible open source. Unfortunately before I used
plugins I coded everything as part of my application, so a most of the good
filters, Oscillators etc are not available as plugins, when I have time I'll
do more. The stuff I have released is included with the SDK...
http://www.synthedit.com/software-development-kit/
It's pretty specific to SynthEdit and the SEM SDK though so might not be
much help to anyone.
> > The SEM DSP Plugin API has a total of four functions { open(),
setBuffer(), process(), receiveMessageFromGui() },
> > the remainder of the spec is covered by metadata.
> Did you consciously decide to use a setBuffer method for some reason?
> I consider that (connect_port in LADSPA/LV2) a mistake and efficiency
> problem. Passing an array to process is better.
[Plugin]--buffer-->[plugin]
I use the same buffers over and over, so I inform the plugin once of the
buffer addresses, then I need not do so again. Not passing an array to
process() is less overhead on the function call... But I think any
efficiency gain would be minimal either way, passing an array to process is
probably just as good.
> A requirement specifically about a strong and sensible plugin/UI
> separation would have been a good one. By far the worst thing about
> porting VSTs with GUIs. A free for all for UIs to screw with DSP code
> is insane.
Absolutely. The GMPI model is complete separation of GUI/DSP. The GUI has no
direct access to the DSP. When the GUI tweaks a parameter it does so only
via the Host. The GUI can run on you iPad, the DSP on you Linux box. No
special plugin code for that scenario, it's transparent. Very clean.
> > This point is simply that you
> > should not actively *disallow* copy protection, and that you can check
for
> > example that the plugin is GPL *without* instantiating it, (because a
host
> > might want to check the license before unintentionally breaking that
> > license by linking to the plugin).
>
> Fair enough, I guess I will just list this as met. I felt compelled to
> at least hint that LV2 is not the sort of project that would ever
> consider including evil software crippling garbage as a requirement ;)
Understood. GMPI was for both commercial and free software.
> "Including" MIDI is not a burden, it is a trivial consequence of having
> a sane event mechanism....Not allowing for MIDI is completely unrealistic,
> and would mean plugins can't work with by far the most common format of
> musical control data, and porting existing code to work as a plugin
> become dramatically more difficult. Clearly a loss. All you get
> trying
> to do things that way is endless mailing list fights about whether to
> mandate MIDI, or OSC, or the new Ultimate Control Structure, or
> whatever
> - a waste of everyone's time.
Yeah, I do support MIDI via 'events', MIDI was trivial....but.....
My concept with GMPI (not everyone agreed) was that MIDI was not required
*in* the plugin.
For example take your MIDI keyboard's "Modulation Wheel". Imagine the
function that parses the MIDI bytes, decides what type of MIDI message it is
and typically converts that 7-bit controller to a nice 'float' scaled
between -1.0 -> +1.0. Typically every single VST synth plugin has that
code. The inefficiency is that 1000 Plugin developers had to create and
debug equivalent code.
I decided the *host* should provide that routine. Written once, available
to every plugin developer. The plugin simply exposes a port, and the
metadata says "map this port to MIDI modulation-wheel".
The advantage is - very rich MIDI support is available to ALL plugins. Not
just the standard 7-bit controllers, I support CC, RPN, NRPN, SYSEX, Notes,
Aftertouch, Tempo, almost everything. The MIDI parsing code exists only in
one place so it's robust, and it saves plugin developers a lot of wasted
time duplicating existing code. Plugins are small and lightweight, but MORE
functional than the average VST plugin.
With VST it's a mess. Developers MIDI support is highly variable, almost
none support SYSEX for example. Half of them can't handle NRPN properly if
at all.
The other advantage is that with MIDI abstracted and presented as
normalized 'float' values, the host can substitute OSC or HD-MIDI control
without changing the API. Your existing plugins become 'hi-definition' and
'OSC capable' without any effort. You don't have to argue "MIDI vs OSC"
because both are possible.
Back then I said 'no MIDI in GMPI' - it was interpreted as highly radical
and everyone hated the idea. I should have said 'MIDI parsing provided as a
service to the plugin'. You have to write the MIDI parsing anyhow, why not
make it available for everyone?
> That said, sure, MIDI sucks. Something better is needed, but certainly
> not some One Ultimate Control Structure to the exclusion of everything
> else.
All I've done with GMPI is recognise that MIDI controllers can be
'normalised' and presented to the plugin as nice hi-definition floats using
the event system (atoms?). The plugin 'has no MIDI', no crufty 7-bit crap,
yet is fully compatible with MIDI.
That's my rant over ;)
Best Regards,
Jeff
> I have adapted the GMPI requirements final draft document to a
> comparison with the current state of LV2: http://lv2plug.in/gmpi.html
For historical interest. I did complete the GMPI prototype.
Now running on Windows (GUI + DSP support) and Mac/Linux (DSP support). We
have over 1000 plugins available on Windows, mostly related to modular
synthesis (because that's my interest).
This year I ported the SDK and several plugins to Mac, and will also be
ensuring they run on Linux (Waves Plugins Ltd have a high-end Linux-powered
mixing desk that runs plugins. It handles mixing and effects for large
consoles and runs at a rock-solid 1 ms latency).
.SEM Comparison with GMPI...
http://www.synthedit.com/software-development-kit/sdk-version-3-documentatio
n/specifications/
SEMs main differences with LV2:
* Sample-accurate parameter updates via time-stamped events.
* Provides a performance optimization mechanism for handling silent audio
streams.
* Supports fractional pitch numbers.
* Provides the ability for an instrument to define an arbitrary set of
parameters that applies to each voice
Comments on LV2.....
>53 Disagree - Achievable entirely with metadata.
If a feature is achievable with metadata, then you DID MEET that requirement
(in a cool manner). The spec doesn't say HOW to meet the requirement.
Update your table to say 'Met' on these requirements.
The SEM DSP Plugin API has a total of four functions { open(), setBuffer(),
process(), receiveMessageFromGui() }, the remainder of the spec is covered
by metadata.
>61 ...It is unclear what "patches" means here.
It means presets. Or more generally save/restore the plugin's state. It
doesn't mean the plugin *cares* about presets (like VST2), presets can be
concept the host entirely takes care of.
>73 "GMPI must define a simple in-process custom UI mechanism. " Disagree -
It is unclear what this requirement means.
It means the SDK should support GUIs, for example VST provides for opening a
OS 'Window', what and how you draw inside that window is not specified. More
importantly the API has a mechanism for tweaking the plugins parameters from
the GUI. The crux is not that the API supports graphics or drawing, but that
it supports communicating with the plugin from an abstact 'control surface'
potentially running in a separate thread or even a separate process space.
i.e in SEM the API supports a 'GUI' class getting/setting any of the
plugin's parameters in a thread-safe manner.
>101 "GMPI should allow for copy-protected plugins" Disagree - LV2 is not
and should not be encumbered with specific "copy protection" mechanisms.
I would say LV2 MEETS that requirement. This point is simply that you should
not actively *disallow* copy protection, and that you can check for example
that the plugin is GPL *without* instantiating it, (because a host might
want to check the license before unintentionally breaking that license by
linking to the plugin).
All in all very good to see GMPI requirements used as a benchmark. A lot of
smart people put many months into GMPI. I think it was considered 'too
radical' at the time (the utter crap VST2 was considered ideal by many, and
still is). My suggestion that it didn't need MIDI at all (MIDI being too
limited and crufty) resurfaced in VST3 Note-expression. What we see now
with LV2, SEM and VST3 is a vindication of GMPI actually being ahead of its
time.
Jeff McClintock
www.synthedit.com
Best Regards,
Jeff
On 07/30/2012 03:12 AM, James Morris wrote:
> (1.0) Non Session Management support
Nice to see a dev who's taking this up. Session management a 'must have'
for jack standalone applications and imho NSM is the best option for this.
Best regards,
\r
Lisalo - Linux Sampler Loader - is a command line program that loads entire directories of sample files, a single .sfz file or takes instructions from a meta .lsl file with relative paths to samples. Now you can quickly and easily load sampled instruments without even starting a GUI.
This is release 1.4, grab it here, no installation required
git clone git://github.com/nilsgey/Lisalo.git
[New Features]
-Jack Autoconnect-Port for the stereo sum/mix channels can be given from the command line
-Can start Linuxsampler with a given server-address and port, which makes multiple instances possible
-Jack Midi In for autoconnection is a commandline parameter.
There is only so much you can implement into a tool that aims to be small by design.
This marks my "feature complete" milestone. Future releases will be bugfixes.
One example what you can do now:
I use it to load the Salamander Piano shortly after boot and connect it to my ALSA midi port (which is always on, no matter if the keyboard itself is switched on or not). I now have instant piano sound whenever I switch my keyboard on. It does not conflict with other lisalo or Linuxsampler sessions.
With this lovely one liner:
/usr/bin/lisalo /home/nils/samples/sfz/SalamanderGrandPianoV2_48khz24bit/SalamanderGrandPianoV2.sfz -m alsa_pcm:Hammerfall-DSP/midi_capture_1 -p 7777 -m Salamander > /dev/null
[Contact]
https://github.com/nilsgey/Lisalo
info@...
irc.freenode.org #laborejo
Feedback and chatting are welcome!
Nils
Hi All,
Firstly, finally got around to some screencasts of Praxis LIVE in
action - http://praxisintermedia.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/video-rough-cuts-1/
These are just 'rough cuts', unedited except titles and no voiceover.
Only first 2 have audio, and the audio on the second is a little off
in places (see below!)
Secondly, anyone got a suggestion for screencast software that's good
at glitch free audio? These are done with Kazam. First is mostly OK,
but the second is a little glitchy. Finding only about 1 in 4
captures is any good - all sorts of weird glitches and sometimes speed
issues, though the audio playback while recording is fine.
Thanks and best wishes,
Neil
--
Neil C Smith
Artist : Technologist : Adviser
http://neilcsmith.net
Praxis - open-source intermedia system for live creative play -
http://code.google.com/p/praxis
OpenEye - specialist web solutions for the cultural, education,
charitable and local government sectors - http://openeye.info
Hi,
I don't know if this is on-topic or off-topic - technically it runs on a
linux, but then, maybe, just, no, no Android on LAD?? :D But anyways: I
played a little with Android Development and hacked up a little
experimental Synthesizer app.
https://github.com/fps/android_camsynthhttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.fps.camsynth
It's free and open source and renders 8 voices (on my LG-P500) with a
trivial (and wrong :D) synthesis method where the voice gains are
determined by the camera image at a 8 x 8 px resolution..
I guess it's somewhat a minimal project which can be instructive to some
(the synthesis part is implemented in C via JNI). And the code is very
small..
Have fun,
Flo
We are proud to announce the release of guitarix2-0.23.3.
Guitarix is a modular tube amplifier simulation for jack, with
additional Effect-Racks, inbuilt effects as well as support for LADSPA
plug-ins.
This is a Bug-fix release witch fix the ladspa_guitarix.so
module guitarix-fx [UniqueID 4070] to avoid segfault when loading into a
host.
Please refer to our project page for more information:
http://guitarix.sourceforge.net/
download site:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/guitarix/
have fun
guitarix development team
Hello everyone!
I have just asked myself, if it is a good idea to use an IR of a Leslie for
simulating a Leslie. Correct me, if I'm bloody stupid, but working on the
basics of convolution, it doesn't look promising. Since you take the IR of the
Leslie and then apply the full IR to each sample, meaning, that you might get
more of a whirling reverb? Or is there another technique, to apply an IR and
cycles. Just one "sample" of the IR to one sample of the input signal.
If I am completely wrong, a simple no will suffice. My knowledge of this is
basic. I've only got some knowledge from a lecture called "signal theory' to
back me up and it should probably be called "an introduction to" or "basics
of" at that. :-)
Warm regards
Julien
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Such Is Life: Very Intensely Adorable;
Free And Jubilating Amazement Revels, Dancing On - FLOWERS!
====== Find my music at ======
http://juliencoder.de/nama/music.html
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so I never have to live without you." (Winnie the Pooh)