CLAP, new plugin interface proposal

[abique]

Hi,

I worked on a new plugin interface, it is not yet finished and set in stone, but ready enough to gather initial feedback and advice.

The specification is hosted on github: https://github.com/free-audio/clap and is available under the MIT license.
There is a generated specification document at: http://free-audio.github.io/clap/

In a few words CLAP features:
- per sample and ramp automation
- per note automation
- you can play a note at any frequency
- extensible design
- preset browsing
- parameters grouping
- event based
- the plugin can say which parameters are used and which aren't
- the plugin can dynamically add new parameters
- the plugin can expose multiple ports configuration, including repeatable sidechain input which lets the host connect any number of inputs to the plugin, and name those inputs. It is useful for an analyzer.
- The plugin can inform the host that it does not need to process the next block, like when all the voices are off. It will help to save a lot of CPU on big project when you have hundreds of plugin instances idle.
- The interface is very easy to understand and use, anyone can get started from the example synthesizer and host.

I hope that you'll find it interesting and give it a chance. Thanks.

Regards,
Alexandre

[JHughes]

It's beyond me but your project sounds very interesting, thank you!

[whiteaxxxe]

so after half an hour of reading - I am in general in a war with anything on GitHub - I think I got it. the basic idea, not what you did in detail.

very fine ... very fine. but with Windows there was a TDB. to be done in what time frame? aaannnddd ... there must be at first someone who writes plugins the plugins. if I understood it right, at least that what I understood. so there is a long way to go to put this to use??

anyway, thanks for your effort, a new way is always appreciated. :-)

[abique]

Thanks whiteaxxxe,

The TDB on Windows is not something big, it is just defining CLAP standard installation path.
I'm not a Windows expert and here help is wanted to define it.

[citizenkeith]

Originally Posted by abique

Thanks whiteaxxxe,

The TDB on Windows is not something big, it is just defining CLAP standard installation path.
I'm not a Windows expert and here help is wanted to define it.

If it's anything like VST, it would be the following:

64-bit
C:/Program Files/CLAP

32-bit
C:/Program Files (x86)/CLAP

[abique]

I think it is a bit more complicated than C:\Program Files\CLAP, because on Windows you can have D: instead of C:, and they're environment variables or registry key for that right?

That's why I think I need an expert for this part

[innuendo]

I think it should be %PROGRAMFILES%\CLAP

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1...ndows-os-32bit

[abique]

Sounds better! :^)
Thanks.

[Lawrence]

Looks pretty cool.

Maybe the first commercial plug that uses the CLAP protocol should be named "Penicillin"?

[abique]

Penicilin, really a good one