Get Real, From Plugins to Hardware
Intro to Software Development of Audio Devices
Many audio software developers are working on PC or Mobile only, building plugins, DAWs, various applications. There is the whole world of developing physical audio products - synthesizers, grooveboxes, effect pedals or eurorack modules, that is unknown to them. Working with these may seem very different, strange and scary. The notion of "embedded software" may have bad reputation. Nowadays, the truth about developing on hardware is far more nuanced, if not very different.
The purpose of the talk is to show why developing software for hardware can be fun and satisfying and that it's not that much different to working on a PC or mobile.
A review of typical architectures of such products will be presented - starting from hardware itself, but focusing on software aspects - operating systems, programming languages in use and aspects that may be different to PC architecture - such as differences in (or lack of) threading or handling of interrupts.
Last but not least - some tips on how to get started in the field - review of recommend prototyping hardware platforms, interesting software platforms and open source projects.
Wojtek Jakobczyk
Head of Software Development
Polyend
I'm passionate about making electronic music instruments that have physicality and give a feeling of something real and alive.
In the same time, I've been interested in making software since forever :).
Luckily, I can join the two passions working at Polyend, where we make synthesizers and grooveboxes.