Better tutorials for the engine API?

FMOD Engine
1

My title says it succinctly. Is there anywhere where the API tutorial gives more clear advice on how to create a simple instrument plugin? Currently working out how to create a simple osc instrument with volume and hz params. Looking at the examples helps a little but the api documentation implements code way too differently than in the examples. So I feel like I’m mostly running in the dark here. No videos at all? I’ve been scouring the internet but no avail. Is there any good reason for why this tutorial has had not the same treatment as the tutorials for implementing events in various engines?

2

The answer to this is simply that the plugin API is more niche and advanced functionality for FMOD users compared to the Core and Studio APIs, and as a result hasn’t received as much documentation. I can definitely see the use for it, however, and I’ve noted your interest on our feature tracker. In the meantime, you’re welcome to ask any questions you may have on the forums, and I’ll do my best to answer them.

The “fmod_noise” example plugin in the Core API examples is the most relevant to you as an example of a generator plugin, so I’d recommend starting there and looking at how it sets up the following:

  • FMODNoiseState to store the state of the DSP and functions is uses to generate/process the signal, particularly FMODNoiseState::generate which is called in the FMOD_Noise_dspprocess callback to generate a signal
  • The FMOD callbacks implemented (declared on lines 42-53), and their functions as stated in the Plugin API Reference doc
  • FMODGetDSPDescription() to see how info on the DSP is laid out so that an FMOD system can load it