DRAFT PROPOSAL: Free Software synthesizer implementation for the OpenJDK project

[Karl Helgason]

DRAFT PROPOSAL

Free Software synthesizer implementation for the OpenJDK project

Karl Helgason

Summary
=======

The current software synthesizer is part of encumbered code which can
not be released as open source. It is mostly written in native
code which makes supporting and enhancing difficult. Also current
software synthesizer only support proprietary soundbank file format.

Thus we need a new synthesizer engine which can be released
open source and that supports open and widely used soundbank formats.
And also we need that the new synthesizer works in similar manner like
the current one so we won't break compatibility with older applications.

By writing the new synthesizer engine in Java it will be easer
to support and make enhancement to engine in the future.
This will also mean safer and more portable code.

Goals
=====

The goals are to create open source software midi syntheizer
which can be integrated into the openJDK project.
And also to create high quality synthesizer with supports
for universal and open soundbank formats like
SoundFont (http://www.soundblaster.com/soundfont/) and
DLS (Downloadable Sounds, http://www.midi.org).

The Audio Engine Project gave these requirements for solution:
 * Pure-Java implementation.
 * Uses JavaSound mixers/lines for sound output.
 * Supports DLS and/or SoundFont soundbank files.

And this engine will also support:
 * General Midi Level 2
 * Downloadable Sounds Level 2.2
 * Midi Tuning Standard
 * SoundFont 2.04

These requests for enhancement will also be resolved with this proposal:
  Bug ID: 4705306 RFE: Adding Microtonal support to Java Sound API
  Bug ID: 4666912 RFE: Add support for soundbanks contained
                       in SoundFont and DLS files

Development
===========

Developments takes place at the Audio Synthesis Engine Project:
  http://openjdk.java.net/projects/audio-engine/
All communications regarding this object
are done at the audio-engine-dev mailing list.
Access to source code is at: https://gervill.dev.java.net/

Dependencies on Sun
===================

The creation on software engine as it self doesn't have
any dependencies on Sun to finish it.
However the work on integrating it into the OpenJDK 6 and OpenJDK 7
is handled by Sun.
But this software engine will also work stand alone without
any assistance from Sun.

Developer
=========

Karl Helgason is the developer for this project and has previously
create SoundFont engine for the RasmusDSP project:
   http://sourceforge.net/projects/rasmusdsp,
And also he is a member of the Frinika project
   http://sourceforge.net/projects/frinika
which is a complete music workstation written in Java.