HISE - The open source toolkit for building virtual instruments and audio effects

The open source toolkit for building<br>virtual instruments and audio<br>effects

Download

GitHub<br>repository

Compile HISE from source code and stay up to date.

Download<br>Installer

Precompiled binaries for Windows, macOS and Linux

Absolute Freedom

Compile native plugins (VST/AU/AAX) for macOS, Windows and Linux.

Batteries included

Start development with modular building blocks like Sampler, Synths, Modulation and<br>FX .

Efficient Workflows

Write scripts with an inbuilt IDE ,<br>create interfaces with a WYSIWYG editor and program DSP in a graph<br>environment .

Simple & Extendable

Start with Plug & Play , customize everything with Scripting<br>add get into advanced C++ for maximum flexibility.

Deployment Tools

Add Expansions to your plugin, use a native Copy protection solution and<br>distribute<br>samples with HLAC compression .

Dev Community

Get to know an active and dedicated community of developers that will help<br>you out when you're stuck.

Dive in

Documentation

Get to know the HISE Interface in the Quick<br>Tour

Learn about the basic Audio<br>Modules, UI Components and<br>the<br>Scripting API

Explore templates and example content with HISE<br>Snippets

HISE Walkthrough

Sit back and enjoy 20 minutes of going through the most important features of HISE:

Testimonials

Read what other developers think about working with HISE: Roll

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Features

Audio Modules

HISE provides a broad range of basic audio modules: Sound generators like oscillators and samplers,<br>modulators like envelopes and LFOs and effects such as EQs and convolution<br>reverbs.

Various auxiliary tools such as send effects, multichannel routing matrixes, and<br>containers with flexible hotswap-functionality help you to create almost any audio plugin architecture.

More info: Modules

Sampler

With the HISE disk streaming engine and custom lossless audio codec you can create sample libraries that<br>consume<br>minimal memory and CPU resources. It features several modern sample library concepts such as Round Robin<br>Groups, Lazy Loading, Dynamic Crossfades, and purgable multi-mic channels.

The Sampler is tightly coupled with the scripting engine, enabling you to<br>dynamically<br>control functions such as hot-swapping sample sets or changing properties of individual samples.

More info: Sampler Workspace<br>Walkthrough | Sampler<br>API

Scripting

HISE's scripting language, which is derived from Javascript, provides a contemporary development workflow.<br>Although it has been optimized for real-time performance for writing custom MIDI processing modules, it<br>features several improvements that facilitate<br>ease-of-use and solid code organization, even for large UI scripting projects.

Every component in HISE, such as audio modules, samples, and DSP nodes, can be<br>accessed and modified with the Scripting API. The built-in IDE tools, such as quick code navigation,<br>breakpoints, console logging and live-variable-watch will significantly enhance your development flow.

More info: Scripting<br>Reference |<br>Scripting 101 Video

Scriptnode

Scriptnode is a visual programming environment within HISE that empowers you to build custom audio effects,<br>modulators, or synthesizers using low-level DSP building blocks like delay lines or math operators. If<br>dragging cables is not your cup of tea, you can also write DSP algorithms using a JIT<br>compiler for a subset of C++ or import third party C++ classes.

Moreover, you can integrate DSP modules from other languages or applications, such<br>as Faust and RNBO. Export your DSP algorithm as a static C++ class<br>if you want to squeeze out the last CPU cycles.

More info: ScriptNode<br>Reference

Interface Designer

Create the interface of your plug-ins with a workflow similar to that of graphic design applications: You<br>can create, select, and manipulate UI elements using a drag-and-drop approach, modify properties, and<br>structure<br>them within a nested layer architecture while being able to preview the functional UI with a single click.

Additionally, HISE's scripting engine is constantly accessible, allowing you to customize any behavior,<br>appearance, or property of the UI.

More info:<br>[Interface<br>Designer Reference] |<br>[Watch Interface Designer Tutorial]

Deploy

Native Plugin

Compile your project as a native application or audio plugin using a C++ compiler toolchain.

Create your own product installer.

Use advanced features like scriptnode compilation or Faust DSP nodes.

Modify the HISE codebase to optimize performance for your project.

Compile and sign the binaries on each OS.

Implement a custom copy protection solution.

Incorporate third-party code and keep your IP secret.

Setting up the compilation process may seem intimidating at first, but there are videos available that<br>demonstrate how to compile HISE on each supported platform: Once you've set it up, exporting your plugin<br>becomes a one-click operation, plus you get the advantage<br>of using the...