Plugin suggestion - Valley/ModulR/others - is this possible?

[optilude]

Hi,

I was just wondering if this is possible, and if it's something others may find useful?

Can a VST (or even ReWire slave) know the exact current position of the Tracktion timeline? If so, I was thinking it would be incredibly cool to have a a VST that could act as a cue card. For instance, I'm just now trying to insert a solo section into a song. I know the underlying chord pattern, but it's basically just a big space at the moment, and I'd like to be "cued" when the next change is coming. So I was thinking something like:

* A VST that scrolls upwards (or maybe sideways) as the timeline progresses
* Users can move the Tracktion playhead to a desired cue position and, in the VST, click "Add cue" to add a line of text to concide with that time
* A marker near the top of the VST window signifies "now".
* Text scrolls towards and past the "now" point - when it's too far away, it's invisible ("off the bottom" - depends on the size of the window). As it comes into view, it moves towards this line, then crosses it just at the predetermined "cue" point, and finally scrolls up and out of sight again.

If you've ever played Dance Dance Revolution, you'll know what I mean.

This would be incredibly useful for promting in rehearsals, and even for keeping track of song structure as you play through it. What do you think? Is it doable?

Incidentally, if someone can get me started, I may be interested in learning to write this sort of thing myself (though if others want this, too, and someone else with time offers to do it, I think that's a safer bet time-wise). I'm good with Java, C++ and a host of other languages. What tools do I need? I know Valley and ModulR have been doing a lot of Delphi, which I don't know (because I never liked Pascal), but I may be persuaded. Problem is, I can get free C++ compilers, but Delphi costs money, no? What about the VST toolkit? And what is needed to do graphics?

Martin

[valley]

Hi,

I was just wondering if this is possible, and if it's something others may find useful?

Can a VST (or even ReWire slave) know the exact current position of the Tracktion timeline?

yup.

This would be incredibly useful for promting in rehearsals, and even for keeping track of song structure as you play through it. What do you think? Is it doable?

Yes, it is doable, and it isn't a million miles away from the code I'll be finishing for Rock once have my life has stopped going insane.

I'm good with Java, C++ and a host of other languages.

C++ is your best bet here.

What tools do I need?

A compiler, the VST SDK, and ideally a subscription to the VST mailing list.

I know Valley and ModulR have been doing a lot of Delphi, which I don't know (because I never liked Pascal),

Philistine!

but Delphi costs money, no?

Not the personal editions. You just can't sell your work if you compile with a personal release.

If you are comfortable with C++ though I'd say go that way unless you specifically want access to mine or Mod's code.

What about the VST toolkit? And what is needed to do graphics?

You can make graphics with any decent paint package and a ray tracer (I like povray and paintshop pro). The implementing of the UI can be done by hand or using the VSTGUI SDK (which persoanlly I despise). Alternatively if you use C++ Builder or plump for Delphi you can use the built in GUI editors (the speed at which I can have a UI up and running is the primary reason I use Delphi - I can have a whole CT visualisation and measuring interface up and running in about twenty minutes at work).

[optilude]

Yes, it is doable, and it isn't a million miles away from the code I'll be finishing for Rock once have my life has stopped going insane.

Does that mean you could/would adapt/add onto the plug for Rock (is that the lyrics/karaoke thing?) to support this?

A compiler, the VST SDK, and ideally a subscription to the VST mailing list.

Right. Are there any decent tutorials (esp. for C++) I should check out? This may be fun.

Philistine!

Philstine, n:
1. A member of an Aegean people who settled ancient Philistia around the 12th century b.c. 2a. A smug, ignorant, especially middle-class person who is regarded as being indifferent or antagonistic to artistic and cultural values. b. One who lacks knowledge in a specific area.

Ah....

You can make graphics with any decent paint package and a ray tracer (I like povray and paintshop pro). The implementing of the UI can be done by hand or using the VSTGUI SDK (which persoanlly I despise). Alternatively if you use C++ Builder or plump for Delphi you can use the built in GUI editors (the speed at which I can have a UI up and running is the primary reason I use Delphi - I can have a whole CT visualisation and measuring interface up and running in about twenty minutes at work).

Ray tracer? Why'd I need one of those?

I think the best bet here would be to have a look at some examples to figure out how I may be able to do it. Who knows, it could be a fun pet project after my exams (help!) are done!

Martin

[valley]

Does that mean you could/would adapt/add onto the plug for Rock (is that the lyrics/karaoke thing?) to support this?

Potentially, yes.

That said, I'm not having the best week of my life right now, so I wouldn't get too impatient.

Right. Are there any decent tutorials (esp. for C++) I should check out? This may be fun.

The standard SDK comes with some basic tutorials, and Urs Heckman's site has a number of examples you can look at. Beyond that, Mod, NiallM, and I could probably help you out (most of the difficulties you will run into are VST logic things which aren't specific to any language.

Ray tracer? Why'd I need one of those?

Couple povray with moray which allows you to automate povray and you have the fastest and simplest way to get animated knobs and sliders. It's hardly essential but if you want to do 3d style guis it's worth checking out.

[Rock]

valley I sent you an email to cheer you up

[ModuLR]

I guess I'm late on this one but... valley basically summed it all up already. What you are describing really does sound like it falls inline with the project rock brainstormed and valley started coding. So it seems like it would definately be possible.

Regarding the languages. Well, if c++ is a strength, you might as well stick to it... There are SDKs of sorts for the various compilers, and the resources mentioned are great.

<delphi plug>
I'm using delphi because (a) it's free (personal edition), and (b) basing projects off of tobybear's template makes things easy easy easy. And handling the GUI is easy easy easy. Did I forget to mention that delphi is easy? Then again, I'm an old pascal head from back in the day. I think I still have my TurboPascal 1.0 disks along with some strange UCSD Pascal compiler.
</delphi plug>

I can't comment much on the GUI development stuff, cos I usually don't have the patience for anything too fancy.

[optilude]

Thanks guys!

I'm not being impatient at all - no time to even look into it until after my exams (finish June 3rd). I may look at the VST SDK then to see how hard it would be - it could be a fun "intro" project - if I have time, though should this be supported by what you're doing Valley, I'd trust your implementation a lot more!

Martin

[Rock]

Hey, that's cool. I didn't know Delphi was related to Pascal. That's wonderful!, I studied Pascal in school! Unfortunatly, all I remember is "Pen Up" and "Pen Down". Would that help me write a VST plug?

[Crossinger]

Unfortunatly, all I remember is "Pen Up" and "Pen Down". Would that help me write a VST plug?

Hey, that's not exactly Pascal! Sounds more like "Logo" with the programmable "Turtle".

(Can hardly remember - but it must be around TP 3.0, where basic Logo-support was integrated...)

Crossinger

[amoebe]

If you want some cool graphics to go with your plugin I can provide you with them. Anything from pseudo 3d to chuck jones cartoonesque(*) is possible. I've got some skins on my homepage to show the pseudo 3d.

*you don't believe me? Check out Voxengo's new TubeAmp GUI

[optilude]

Mmm.. thanks!

I want a clean GUI, something like StepChild or similar, no mumbo-jumbo. If you want to help, that'd be great!

As I said, I can't look into this until after exams, so let's see. I appreciate all the support, though!

[husker]

<delphi plug>
I'm using delphi because (a) it's free (personal edition), and (b) basing projects off of tobybear's template makes things easy easy easy. And handling the GUI is easy easy easy. Did I forget to mention that delphi is easy? Then again, I'm an old pascal head from back in the day. I think I still have my TurboPascal 1.0 disks along with some strange UCSD Pascal compiler.
</delphi plug>

I was looking at doing some stuff based on tobybear's templates, but found that Delphi personal was no longer free (or downloadable)...did i get this wrong?

[valley]

Borland aren't making it so easily available as it used to be.

Supposedly you can still get it on the FTP site. Typically it is given away on magazines too.

PM me if you want more info.

[cordura21]

Hello Valley. Did you end up doing the vsttext plugin?
I've been looking for seomthing similar (http://www.kvr-vst.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=602399), so I was wondering.
Regards, Andrés

[Karbon L. Forms]

You won't get chicks if you say you use Delphi.