Software effect processor: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Computer program for audio processing}}

{{More citations needed|date=January 2024}}[[Image:Cubase 6 feature - software instruments and software effects.svg|thumb|250px|top: [[Software synthesizer|Software instruments]], and <br />bottom: '''Software effect processors'''<br />on [[Steinberg Cubase|Cubase]] 6 {{smaller|(CC-BY-SA-3.0 image)}}]]

A '''software effect processor''' is a computer program which is able to modify the [[Digital signal (signal processing)|signal]] coming from a [[Digital audio|digital]] [[Audio signal|audio source]] in [[Real-time computing|real time]].

A '''software effect processor''' is a computer program that alters the sound from a [[Digital audio|digital]] source through [[audio signal processing]] in [[Real-time computing|real time]]. It is a digital analog of hardware [[Effects unit|effects processors]]. It is an integral part of [[audio editing software]], such as in [[Adobe Audition]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Reese |first=David |title=Audio Production Worktext: Concepts, Techniques, and Equipment |last2=Gross |first2=Lynne |last3=Gross |first3=Brian |date=Nov 12, 2012 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=9781136035531 |at=Chapter 8.3}}</ref>

==Principle of operation==

The digital audio signal, whose origin may be analog (by conversion to digital) or be in an already digital source (such as an audio file, or a [[software synthesizer]]), is stored in temporary allotments of computer memory called [[Data buffer|buffers]]. Once there, the software effect processor modifies the signal according to a specific algorithm, which creates the desired effect. After this operation, the signal may be transformed from digital to analog and sent to an audible output, stored in digital form for later reproduction or editing, or sent to other software effect processors for additional processing.

The larger the buffer is, the more time it takes to play the audio data sent for playback. Large buffers increase the time required before the next buffer can be played, this delay is usually called '''latency'''. Every system has certain limitations - too small buffers involving negligible latencies cannot be smoothly processed by computer, so the reasonable size starts at about 32 samples. The processor load does not affect latency directly (it means, once you set certain buffer size, the latency is constant),. butBut with very high processor loads, the processingbuffer startsisn't filled with new sound in time for playback, and the sound droppingdrops out. Increasing buffer size or quitting other applicationapplications helps to keep playback smooth.

===Latency===

The larger the buffer is, the more time it takes to play the audio data sent for playback. Large buffers increase the time required before the next buffer can be played, this delay is usually called '''latency'''. Every system has certain limitations - too small buffers involving negligible latencies cannot be smoothly processed by computer, so the reasonable size starts at about 32 samples. The processor load does not affect latency directly (it means, once you set certain buffer size, the latency is constant), but with very high processor loads the processing starts dropping out. Increasing buffer size or quitting other application helps to keep playback smooth.

== Support in operating systems ==

===Drivers===

The default Windows drivers are not optimized for low latency effect processing. As a solution, [[Audio Stream Input/Output]] ('''ASIO''') was created. ASIO is supported by most professional music applications. Most sound cards directed at this market support ASIO. If the hardware manufacturer doesn't provide ASIO drivers, there isare a universalother [[Audio_Stream_Input/Output#Free_alternatives|ASIO driver namedfree ASIO4ALLalternatives]], which can be used for any audio interface. ASIO drivers can be emulated, in this case the driver name is ASIO Multimedia. However, the latency when using these drivers is very high.

====Microsoft Windows====

The default Windows drivers are not optimized for low latency effect processing. As a solution, [[Audio Stream Input/Output]] ('''ASIO''') was created. ASIO is supported by most professional music applications. Most sound cards directed at this market support ASIO. If the hardware manufacturer doesn't provide ASIO drivers, there is a universal ASIO driver named ASIO4ALL, which can be used for any audio interface. ASIO drivers can be emulated, in this case the driver name is ASIO Multimedia. However, the latency when using these drivers is very high.

====Apple Mac OS X====

All the Mac compatible hardware uses CoreAudio drivers, so the software effects processors can work with small latency and good performance.

== See also ==

* [[List of music software]]

* [[Audio plug-in]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

* [https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/fdscontent/uscompanion/us/static/companion.websites/9780199922963/Chapter8.html Software effect processor demo in companion with ''Refining Sound: A Practical Guide to Synthesis and Synthesizers'']

{{Music technology}}

[[Category:Music software]]