JSyn
Encyclopedia
JSyn is a free
API for developing interactive sound applications in Java. Developed by Phil Burk and others, it is distributed through Burk's company, SoftSynth. JSyn has a flexible, unit generator
-based synthesis and DSP
architecture that allows developers to create synthesizers, audio playback routines, and effects processing algorithms within a Java framework that allows for easy integration with other Java routines (e.g. graphics, user interface
, etc.). A plugin is available for web browser
s to run JSyn-enabled applet
s distributed over the world wide web
.
Although fundamentally a synthesis language (imitative of if not directly inspired by Csound
and other MUSIC-N
languages), JSyn has a number of powerful extensions and ancillary libraries, including JMSL (a Java update to the HMSL music specification language) and JScore (a staff notation editor and library), which adds a significantly higher level of musical informatics
to the package than would normally be supplied with a set of synthesis routines. Wire, a graphical editor for JSyn routines, also allows developers to create DSP chains using a simple GUI
that gives the API some of the ease of use of programs such as Max/MSP.
A commercial (though inexpensive) developer
license allows JSyn to be incorporated into commercial applications.
Gratis
Gratis is the process of providing goods or services without compensation. It is often referred to in English as "free of charge" or "complimentary"...
API for developing interactive sound applications in Java. Developed by Phil Burk and others, it is distributed through Burk's company, SoftSynth. JSyn has a flexible, unit generator
Unit generator
Unit generators are the basic formal units in many MUSIC-N-style computer music programming languages. They are sometimes called opcodes , though this expression is not accurate in that these are not machine-level instructions.Unit generators form the building blocks for designing synthesis and...
-based synthesis and DSP
Digital signal processing
Digital signal processing is concerned with the representation of discrete time signals by a sequence of numbers or symbols and the processing of these signals. Digital signal processing and analog signal processing are subfields of signal processing...
architecture that allows developers to create synthesizers, audio playback routines, and effects processing algorithms within a Java framework that allows for easy integration with other Java routines (e.g. graphics, user interface
User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
, etc.). A plugin is available for web browser
Web browser
A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content...
s to run JSyn-enabled applet
Applet
In computing, an applet is any small application that performs one specific task that runs within the scope of a larger program, often as a plug-in. An applet typically also refers to Java applets, i.e., programs written in the Java programming language that are included in a web page...
s distributed over the world wide web
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
.
Although fundamentally a synthesis language (imitative of if not directly inspired by Csound
Csound
Csound is a computer programming language for dealing with sound, also known as a sound compiler or an audio programming language, or more precisely, a C-based audio DSL. It is called Csound because it is written in C, as opposed to some of its predecessors...
and other MUSIC-N
MUSIC-N
MUSIC-N refers to a family of computer music programs and programming languages descended from or influenced by MUSIC, a program written by Max Mathews in 1957 at Bell Labs. MUSIC was the first computer program for generating digital audio waveforms through direct synthesis...
languages), JSyn has a number of powerful extensions and ancillary libraries, including JMSL (a Java update to the HMSL music specification language) and JScore (a staff notation editor and library), which adds a significantly higher level of musical informatics
Music informatics
Music Informatics is emerging interdisciplinary research areas dealing with the production, distribution, and consumption of music through technology ....
to the package than would normally be supplied with a set of synthesis routines. Wire, a graphical editor for JSyn routines, also allows developers to create DSP chains using a simple GUI
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
that gives the API some of the ease of use of programs such as Max/MSP.
A commercial (though inexpensive) developer
Software developer
A software developer is a person concerned with facets of the software development process. Their work includes researching, designing, developing, and testing software. A software developer may take part in design, computer programming, or software project management...
license allows JSyn to be incorporated into commercial applications.