The Audio Interface ‘Escape Room’
Debugging an Audio Product, One Clue at a Time
Participants will work through a series of increasingly challenging software problems in a real C++ audio application, using the same tools an engineer would to find and fix each one. Can you find all the bugs, solve all the puzzles, and release the product? Each puzzle is a genuine bug rather than theoretical: participants will listen to the audio output and use tooling to track down the root cause of each issue. They'll then fix it, and confirm the fix with a test...
The workshop runs as a self-contained desktop application, so no audio interface or other special hardware is required - just a laptop and headphones.
This workshop will cover:
- Isolating bugs in a real-time audio application
- Using metering, visualisation, logging and other diagnostic tools
- Verifying a fix with tests as proof and for future maintenance
- Working methodically from "something is broken" to "verified fixed"
WORKSHOP REQUIREMENTS
Attendees should be comfortable reading and editing C++. Prior real-time audio experience is helpful but not required. A laptop with a working C++ development environment is needed; exact toolchain details will be published closer to the event. No audio interface or other external hardware is needed.
Ross Chisholm
Head of Embedded Software
Focusrite
Ross is currently the Head of Embedded Software at Focusrite, responsible for the teams developing embedded software, automation, and DSP for Focusrite and Novation brands.
Ross graduated from the Music and Sound Recording Course at the University of Surrey back in 2011, initially focusing on hardware and firmware development of both MIDI Controllers and Audio Interfaces before eventually moving solely to focus on embedded software development. He now focuses on helping to develop engineering teams to deliver amazing products as well as volunteering as a mentor for The Access Project to help promote STEM subjects for the next generation.
Outside of work, Ross is a keen runner completing several half marathons and marathons as well as a musician.
Alex Middleton-Dalby
Software Developer
Focusrite
Alex has been a C++ developer for more than 10 years, and has spent the last 5 of those working on JUCE-based control software at Focusrite. Alex is passionate about the craft of software development, and loves poking at things to understand how they work.
Before becoming a software developer, Alex studied Sound Technology at LIPA, and played guitar in several terrible bands. Outside of work, Alex is an avid nature photographer, and also plays Super Smash Bros Melee (yes, the one for the Gamecube) competitively.