Comparison of sound modules

Hi,

I’m having some fun learning the Toolbox lately (via C) and, similarly to the MIDI thread the other week, one of the things I’m interested in doing with it is sound/MIDI stuff. I have a couple things I’m tinkering with but I figured one trivial thing I can finish that would be educational is a silly little “soundboard” app that lets you load various sound samples to be played back at will by buttons or key shortcuts. The main thing I’m trying to deal with is figuring out the pros and cons of various playback modules that are out there — I’ve been trying out PlayIt since I was able to find documentation for it but it does have its limitations, especially with handling multiple samples.

I’ve searched and I’ve found some discussions but nothing like a comparison of the modules that are out there (I’ve seen lots of mention of something called TimPlayer but no primary info on it, not sure what DiskSample actually is, RDSP is super cool and I’m going to use it for something but seems to only have BASIC and star commands, etc)

Does anyone have a resource for this? Or some up to date links on sound playback modules that may help me out? Support for more encumbered formats could be a plus but at this stage I am more or less satisfied with wav/aiff playback if it’s flexible enough. Thanks!

There must be a name for the law or something that states that you find what you’re searching for only after you’ve made the forum post, and so far I’ve found a few things helpful:

The ROSS document on this page of the wiki
https://www.riscosopen.org/wiki/documentation/show/USB%20sound%20and%20sound%20in%20general

The modules documentation on this page of the DigitalCD website:
http://www.riscos-digitalcd.net/digitalcd/player/download.htm

BUT, to save face if nothing else, I’m still interested in any opinions anyone has one the merits of various sound modules.

Hello and welcome, it is good to hear you are making progress and having fun.

Here are a few things I’ve seen, link to Rick’s Blog, link to DH’s homepage, link to a ROSS sound document, link to Jim’s homepage, link to various manuals and release notes and a link to a version of the PRMs.

I hope you find some of these useful, and I’m sure you may have come across some of them already.

;) This is a small plug for the upcoming meetup if you are free.

Definitely had some of those bookmarked, but some I hadn’t, thank you for the links! I’ve definitely been messing with the USBMidi module as well. I might be too shy and American for the meetups but we will see ;)

I might be too shy and American for the meetups

Shyness:

I turned up at one and I’m introvert to the point of living alone in the rural wildness where every day is just like lockdown. ;)

I left early because I was tired (I’m an hour ahead of the UK), not because I didn’t want people looking at my ugly mug.

It’s easier to look at a camera than people. And if you’re really not sure, Zoom can track your movements and replace you with an animated penguin or whatever.
Failing that, just turn off video and/or and watch rather than contribute.

American:

That depends. Can you finish a sentence in under five minutes? ¹ Or do you have a near unintelligible accent? ²
If not, the only real difference will be that you’ll have all the ’R’s that we’re missing.

messing with the USBMidi module as well.

I hope it works well for you. Maybe one day ROOL will include it with the bonus binaries.

¹ That slow southern style

² Lookin’ at you, Bahston!

I agree; I tend to believe shyness is a strength. You’ll be in good company- it’s a global community.

Good to know you found something useful in what I posted.

I’m still interested in any opinions anyone has on the merits of various sound modules

Is anyone able to help with Laura’s question?

@Lauren

a silly little “soundboard” app that lets you load various sound samples to be played back at will by buttons or key shortcuts.

RDSP is very good because it allows to have more channels, effects and can use original wav sounds. You can use the stars commands from a C program with the OS CLI function. The swi exists, but it is not listed by info module in !Verma.

The MIDI module is perfect for sending MIDI commands. !Player to play wav files and MIDI files via the MIDI module
Note !DigitalCd uses these two modules.
I don’t know if this will help you in your project.

PS To reassure you, I don’t see myself participating in a zoom meeting with my “poor English (French)”, I prefer to read quietly.