Alright! I'm throwing this one in here, since there's a better ratio of programmers in this section...
I had this idea, and am wondering if anyone wants to take off with it, or if it's even feasible.
Basically, its the idea of having a program that you can build a circuit in (within probably fairly strict limitations), that would then be able to write a plug-in for use with recording and editing software.
The main idea would be basic op-amps, basic transistors, filter components (R's, L's, and C's). Something that you can actually build a virtual distortion (say, a Dr. Boogey), Overdrives, etc., but basically keeping the library to a minimum. No delays, etc.
I just think it'd be nice to build a tweaked distortion on my computer, write a plug-in, and then run that dry-as-sand guitar track through it. I'd love to be able to build a tone stack with values of my own choosing, and have it as a plug-in.
I know, you can emulate everything with plug-ins that are already available.... I hate tweaking on a graphic EQ just to get the same response curves I want. If I want less highs, I don't reduce one value, I have to go through and make sure the curve is the same, etc. It's not hardware.
What do you guys think? I haven't done programming of any sort in over 10 years... I'm way out of the loop on it.
Oh yeah... if someone thinks it's a good idea and does it, don't worry about credit... just make it Linux compatible!!! :icon_twisted:
+1 on this
Sounds like a really good idea. Unfortunately, I only remember VB!
You'd probably have to transform each circuit into a kind of filter or something. Are computers powerful enough to do this in real-time? I know LTSpice can do it to pre-recorded wavs...
That's the reason you would want to render a plug-in. Your plug-in will simply contain the generated algorithms for the music software to use.
I'm guessing this would be best based off of Spice, so I assumed the obvious: Would a person really want to run something like Spice in the background while you are trying to record? That is definitely a big, fat no. Rendering an algorithm seems to me like the best option.... maybe make it preview-able using a pre-determined wav file, or option of live pre-render play, if it's easy enough.
The usefulness I'm looking at is not to compete with every pedal emulator plug-in on the market, but rather to virtually do what we do with our hands... modify for our own tastes. It would be awesome to open up a TS8 from a library and change values in it to reflect a certain player's own modded pedal. You could have every BMP version ever discovered at your disposal.
(trying to motivate someone here, lol!)
I suspect that this would entail a massive amount of research and work. I don't think it's something that anybody's likely to do just for fun or the spirit of DIY. But you might convince somebody who develops VSTs that it would be worth their while. Lots of them hang out here:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=33&sid=48258aac91ef0c1c648703b303f49b50