Chris Anderson @chrisanderson1973@librem.one

Working on AudioUnit Extensions for Mac and iPad. Turns out, it is kind of fun. I am building a synth module (which would be a re-imagined AnaddrSynth) for a new DAW I am working on.

Another post on this new direction: I'm building a performance app from Mac and iPad. It may be more like a digital audio workstation, and it may even be more like a lot plugins placed together, for software like Logic Pro on iPad.

Another swing of the pendulum, and I am looking into macOS/iPadOS apps once again. I have a much better grasp of Core Audio this time (versus 2011-2014 and 2018), and I will probably refactor AnaddrSynth completely and, of course, introduce a new app.

Cool work day - digging into how C++ works.... Untangling dynamically linked libraries and setting class pointers.... Basically, exposed variables, per name, need to match in terms of data types. I just overlooked the obvious. :D

A new direction - sorta.... I am looking into making a looper for recording audio. #problemsolving #reinventingthewheelprobably

More work with the iMX8 platform to try and mold it into an audio effects and/or digital audio workstation. Some quick tests recently have shown that USB audio is a little slow on the iMX8, in that the set up has a noticeable delay and that the USB interface doesn’t quite keep up. That is, at least with the port audio stack. So, the other option is to run analog in/out on the board, and have it work more like a deluxe effects box. The analog in sounds great. An analog out test is next.

Still working on Linux audio on the Toradex iMX8 platform.....

Today, I made a first stab at a recording app for the coming iMX8-based DAW system. The audio recording/playback set up is the very fist step. Today, I was able to record some improv off my Ibanez!

Nice bit of audio work and embedded Linux work tonight. I managed to have the Linux sound framework working, taken from a Yocto build. It was enough to instantiate the audio card interfaces, including USB audio, and even run audio playback through HDMI and a DUET USB audio interface.

More work on my power amplifier design tonight. I added an auxiliary output that is available after any gain/distortion and reverb, and before the output (power) stage.

Looking into new DSP platforms, rather than the very minimal STM32F series I researche di nthe fall.... Starting with the Cyclone V FPGA platform, using the Quartus Prime Lite Edition.

I've gotten as far as designing the printed circuit board, including the power supplies and power amplifier stage!

A starting design for a 100W guitar amplifier, complete with distortion and reverb. I need to add an auxiliary out circuit, as well. Looking good!

Turns out, I like building stuff. 100W amplifier coming right up.

Some EE work this morning and in the last few days. Looking into building a guitar amplifier!

A favorite software technique I use: dynamically loading libraries and using function pointers to access the loaded library. Works in just about any contact in C/C++ and I have used it to make projects simpler to manage, and faster to compile. It's also very useful for building plugins.

More work tonight on the embedded Linux platform. I am building my custom Qt app and Audacity, together, on a Weston (Wayland) reference compositor. The goal is to bring up Audacity on the board and work with the audio interfaces.

Continuing work on a Linux-based effects system....I had to move up from anything STM32-based. There is simply too much efficiency in using Linux.

It's been a while, but I simply had no "spark" as far as writing new/interesting software is concerned, for the last little while.

This is related to a work project, but I am well on my to creating a Qt/Golang-based Modbus simulation program. I have managed to bind Qt/Quick/Qml to Go, and this is all enough to run a full-blown simulation. More to come.

I am switching directions, but I am getting into what all I'd really like to do anyway, and that's solve a problem I have always seen with audio production setups. So, the new goal is to mostly skip over reinventing the wheel (USB audio) and delve into digital audio workstation development using embedded Linux and various control. Lots more to come.