Designing Audio Effect Plug-Ins in C++ ─ With Digital Audio Signal Processing Theory

The professional recording industry is rapidly moving from a hardware paradigm (big studios with expensive gear) to a software paradigm, in which lots of expensive hardware is replaced with a single computer loaded with software plug-ins. Complete albums are now being recorded and engineered "inside the box"-all within a computer without hardware processing or mixing gear. Audio effect plug-ins, which are small software modules that work within audio host applications, like Avid Pro Tools, Apple Logic, Ableton Live, and Steinberg Cubase, are big business. Designing Audio Effect Plug-Ins in C++ gives readers everything they need to know to create real-world, working plug-ins in the widely used C++ programming language.

Beginning with the necessary theory behind audio signal processing, author Will Pirkle quickly gets into the heart of this implementation guide, with clearly-presented, previously unpublished algorithms, tons of example code, and practical advice. From the companion website, readers can download free software for the rapid development of the algorithms, many of which have never been revealed to the general public. The resulting plug-ins can be compiled to snap in to any of the above host applications. Readers will come away with the knowledge and tools to design and implement their own audio signal processing designs.

• Learn to build audio effect plug-ins in a widely used, implementable programming language-C++
• Design plug-ins for a variety of platforms (Windows and Mac) and popular audio applications
• Companion site gives you fully worked-out code for all the examples used, free development software for download, video tutorials for the software, and examples of student plug-ins complete with theory and code

Will Pirkle is an Assistant Professor of Music Engineering Technology at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where he teaches C++ audio programming, signal processing, audio synthesis, recording studio workshops, and mobile app programming. In addition to his nine years of teaching, Mr. Pirkle has twenty years of experience in the audio industry, during which he worked and consulted for companies including Korg Research and Development, SiriusXM Radio, Diamond Multimedia, Gibson Musical Instruments, and National Semiconductor Corporation. An avid guitarist and studio owner, Mr. Pirkle continues to seek projects that combine all his skills.