Implementing a parametric EQ plug-in in C++ using the multi-platform VST specification

Abstract: As the processing power of desktop computer systems increase by every year,
more and more real-time audio signal processing is performed on such
systems. What used to be done in external effects units, e.g. adding
reverb, can now be accomplished within the computer system using signal
processing code modules - plug-ins. This thesis describes the development
of a peak/notch parametric EQ VST plug-in. First a prototype was made in
the graphical audio programming environment Max/MSP on MacOS, and then a
C++ implementation was made using the VST Software Development Kit. The C++
source code was compiled on both Windows and MacOS, resulting in versions
of the plug-in that can be used in any VST host application on Windows and
MacOS respectively. Writing a plug-in relieves the programmer of the burden
to deal directly with audio interface details and graphical user interface
specifics, since this is taken care of by the host application. It can thus
be an interesting way to start developing audio DSP algorithms, since the
host application also provides the opportunity to listen to and measure the
performance of the implemented plug-in algorithm.