Power Audio :: Music Tech Blog

You should download Ubuntu

2007-04-19T22:41:00.000-07:00

Ubuntu Linux has finally released version 7.04, dubbed "Fiesty Fawn", which is by far the easiest Linux distribution I have ever experienced.
While I am no noobie to the computer game, even I want Linux to just work without changing config files.
Check it out at http://www.ubuntu.org

SonicBirth AU plugin designer

2007-03-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

via CreateDigitalMusic
SonicBirth is an open-source AU plugin designer. Check it out at Sourceforge...

Hardware Hacks

2007-03-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

This Engadget article caught my attention:

How-To: Make a solid-state A/V switcher

This A/V switcher has a ton of hacking potential, especially in conjunction with something like Arduino.

This was linked from Hack A Day :

This foot-pedal hack sends midi messages when pressed.
Check out the design at Tv Kid's Myspace..

Podcast & Blogger ?

2007-03-05T15:36:00.000-08:00

Let's see if we can make some MP3 Podcast action happen!!

Here's the MP3.

Check me out at the Podcast!

Archive dot Org Rules!

2007-03-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

If there's one think I love, it's the Internet Archive.
Little did I know, you can submit your audio and license it through Creative Commons by simply using an IE browser and going to THIS LINK.

Seriously people, this couldn't me simpler.

Clicking the picture takes you to the jam I helped produce last night.

Plugin Roundup : VST on Linux

2007-03-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

To round out my recent interest in plugins, I came across the tutorial hosted at Linux Sound dot Org:

Using VST/VSTi Plugins In Linux

Audio Effects on OS X: AudioUnits

2007-02-28T14:15:00.000-08:00

Recently, my Windoze machine bit the bullet, so I reverted back to the old G4 Mac Mini. As I began to use OS X again, I picked up on my old trail to learning Audio Units, Apple's format for VST-like plugins. If you install the CoreAudio SDK in fact, there are a set of valuable AudioUnits plugins that are available for GarageBand, Ableton, etc.

For a basic tutorial from Apple visit their Developer Documentation site:
AudioUnits Tutorial
..and dont' forget their templates:
AudioUnits Template

Multi Touch Interface Experiment

2007-02-28T12:06:00.000-08:00

Taken from Make Magazine Blog:

"This is an experiment based on "frustrated total internal reflection" aka FTIR. This is a very basic demo and we did it just to see how it work and it took us just 4 days! "

This experiment resembles of course JazzMutant's Lemur, without all the bells and whistles. While these interfaces may seem to fancy for most uses, I still think that the best kind of interface for any computing environment is one that is not static.
Either way, check out their progress...

Tinker dot IT

David Wetzel, Thea Musgrave, and Max/Msp

2007-02-22T08:14:00.000-08:00

Recently, I rediscovered the initial PDF paper on Thea Musgrave's Narcissus, which prompted me to recreate the MAX/MSP patch necessary to complete the piece.
In 1987, Musgrave's piece called for a solid-state digital delay system, with a set of controls that required settings changes every 4 measures (of a 10 - 12 minute work).
The first author to recreate this work, and adapt the necessary delay systems to max patches was David Wetzel. Using the picture of his patches, and a basic understanding of Digital Delay systems, we recreated his work and presented it at The University of Alabama.
Mp3 from the concert to follow.
For now, a belated thank you to Dr. Wetzel for all of his work.

Programming your own VST on *nix / Windows / OSX

2007-02-20T07:47:00.000-08:00

Steinberg's VST architecture is a common plug in system available to many applications on all platforms. VST plugins can be used as audio / midi generators or receive data from other applications for adding effects / equalization / etc. Using the API from Steinberg, you can write plugins from your own audio applications in C++ (or even Java).

The best place to begin your own experimental VSTs is
The Yvan Grabit Developer Source!!
Here you will find links to all the API material you must first download from Steinberg. Also, many tutorials on using DevC++ or Visual Studio are available.

When you're ready to really flex your programmer muscle, direct your attention to the standard in internet audio material at HarmonyCentral.
Their Programmers Guide has a plethora of material for you to get lost in.

Not one to jump in the deep in right away? That's O.K. too, there are many developers who have kept code available for you to try and tweak:
Music DSP . org host for a collection of algorithms in C C++ C# Java... (no frills version)
VST source part of Music DSP . org, archive of VST source code (no frills version)