Using Faust DSL to Develop Custom, Sample Accurate DSP Code and Audio Plugins for the Web Browser

Abstract

The development and porting of virtual instruments or audio effects on the Web is a hot topic. Several initiatives are emerging, from industry-driven ones (e.g., Propellerhead Rack Extension running on the Web2), to more community based open-source projects. Most of them aim at adapting existing code bases (usually developed in native languages like C/C++) as well as facilitating the use of existing audio Digital Signal Processing (DSP) languages and platforms. Our two teams previously presented an open format for WebAudio Plugins coined WAP [2]. It aims at: (i) improving the interoperability of audio/MIDI plugins developed using pure Web APIs, (ii) porting existing native code bases, or (iii) using Domain Specific Languages (DSL). In this paper, we present a solution based around FAUST DSL, its Web-based editor, and the integration of a plugin GUI editor allowing to directly test, generate and deploy WAP plugins. We also evoke our collaborative work: one team hatching and improving FAUST, the other working on the recreation of tube guitar amplifiers and pedalboards within Web browsers. So as to fully illustrate the FAUST online framework, a case study is detailed with complete workflow, from the FAUST DSP source code written and tested in a fully functional online editor, to a self-contained plugin running in a separate host application.