Simple Astro synthesizer

Here is a simple example how to write your own synthesizer in Astro with multiple voices and a simple ADSR envelope. I thought I write it so that not everybody is posting hurtful high-frequency oscillators.

You will see why latency really matters when programming audio applications once you start pressing some keys. It is not really possible to play anything but hopefully this well get adressed before the final version of the FP10.

Also there is currently not a really great way to develop with FDT for Astro. It is too bad but I hope the guys at Powerflasher will release an update pretty soon as well. Right now you can compile the example using Ant.

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16 Responses to “Simple Astro synthesizer”


  1. 1 Leo

    Nice example!
    Thanks for sharing.

  2. 2 Fredrik

    Thank you! Do you think that latency will be an issue when the final version of fp10 is released? What latency was impossible to fix according to tinic? Overall latency of audioprocessing or mp3s?

  3. 3 chl

    Great example, thanks a lot! As for latency, I fear Tinic Uro was pretty clear about it – it’s not going to be fixed in FP10 (sadly):

    “The API has one big compromise which I can’t address without large infrastructural changes and that is latency. Latency is horrible to the point where some applications will simply not be possible. To improve latency will require profound changes in the Flash Player which I will tackle for the next major revision.”

  4. 4 joa

    Hi Fredrik,

    I am quiet sure that the latency will change and become better if you think about the audio drivers for different operating systems.

    It will get better on Mac — that is for sure. And I think we can be very happy that we have Tinic sitting at Adobe because he will not be satisfied with a 500ms latency as well.

    Cheers

  5. 5 Willem

    Joa,

    Where did find good resources for programming synths? Where did you learn this?

    cheers

  6. 6 sohbet

    Thanks for sharing.

  7. 7 starpause

    Hi Joa, I’m trying to compile this example with mxmlc following instructions at http://opensource.adobe.com/wiki/display/flexsdk/Targeting+Flash+Player+10

    Here’s my output: http://pastebin.sekati.com/?id=cantcompileSimpleSynth@d8928-9d255c4c

    Seems like mxmlc isn’t agreeing with vectors. Any thoughts? What’s your environment like?

    Thanks in advanced, very interested in playing around with generated sound in fp10!

  8. 8 joa

    Hey, the source is a little bit outdated and does not work with the latest SDK — it was built using a beta version. You will probably have to fix the callback for the SampleDataEvent.

  9. 9 starpause

    Joa, thanks for the quick response! I had to modify that callback and increase the buffer feeder length to the minimum (2048). I also gave the thing an 0ldsk00l kb layout. Updated source:

    http://dinoaids.com/as/SimpleSynth.zip

    Big ups to Andre for helping me get dynamic sound going @ MAX and for politely putting up with my latency questions :]

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