what to know to make software like Ableton

[simonator123]

Hermanus, I am seriously considering it I'm going to apply for an internship for Summer 2011 (right before I go to graduate school).

[malutki]

I've already done some job requirement searching for DAW type stuff, and it's hard to find stuff online.

You could always check the company websites like so:

http://www.ableton.com/jobs/application-developer

(via ableton.com -> company -> jobs)

but how to make VST's? lol.

something as commonplace as THIS

might quickly have taken you to something as useful as HERE YOU GO


if you really want to work for a softwarecompany,
there is plenty of digging and homework ahead

rewarding digging and homework to be done by you:

You should be self-motivated, results-oriented, hard-working

(not to bash you, just to give you a realistic outlook)

[dum]

It was pretty realistic of Simon to put his question to the board here,
he's gets an early preview of the kind of near-autistic douchebags he's going to be catering to with his code.

btw Simon, I think this is the forum for you:
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=33
DSP and Plug-in Development


I don't know if they'll be any less condescending there, but it should certainly be more informative.

[IP]

If I am to make software similar to Ableton, what kind of knowledge should I have?

tease mode!
dont know about what special knowledge needed but here is a free tip...

make sure to code "automation to session view" from the beginning because it will be 100 times harder if you want to code it later

love

[Hidden Driveways]

Hi, my name is Jared, I am a 22 year old college student. I am a computer science major at Missouri S&T. This semester I am taking psychology classes, next anthropology and graphic design. I really love programming, and I really love music. I am addicted to yoga. I like painting, rock climbing, web design, riding my bike every where, partying and MUSIC FESTIVALS. I would love to work for a company that made software like Ableton! I am constantly listening to music; LOVE: indie, punk, jam bands, rock and ELECTRONIC. If I am to make software similar to Ableton, what kind of knowledge should I have? I combined my love for electronic music and interest in web design to create my first ever website: DJDanceClub. I already know how to program in C++. What else is there?

sorry simon... just a little fun on a monday.

[Tone Deft]

how can you get a CS degree and not know what DSP is? DSP is not something you learn in a few summer classes, how much math do you know?

surely not all the work at Ableton is DSP code, control code has a LOT to do with Live. drawing to the screen, handling midi data, stuff like that, zero DSP.

whatever the case may be, point yourself in the direction you want to go and do not deviate. take whatever jobs you can that get you to inch closer to your goal. put your time in and amazing things can happen. don't think you're above any job but know when you're in a rut and need to move on.

[Poster]

how can you get a CS degree and not know what DSP is? DSP is not something you learn in a few summer classes, how much math do you know?

surely not all the work at Ableton is DSP code, control code has a LOT to do with Live. drawing to the screen, handling midi data, stuff like that, zero DSP.

this..
plus a huge chunk of music theory..

and let's not forget; vision and innovative thinking..

[housemusiclover]

plus a huge chunk of music theory..

I very much doubt that. But big lol at does Ableton really use DSP...

[ChiDJ]

I'm confused. Dum WTF?

You, being nice and supportive on this forum?? Someone has surely hacked his account.

[simpleton]

When you graduate, go to China and there they will teach you the art of reverse engineering. That's where the future jobs are anyway.

[H20nly]

I'm confused. Dum WTF?

You, being nice and supportive on this forum?? Someone has surely hacked his account.

yeah who's that guy? ... maybe the letters r and n are running together on our screens. that guy is durn




what you need to make software like Live is a Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator

[jonny72]

If you want to get up to speed on programming music software, a good place to start would be the source code for some of the main open source projects - something like Audacity would be perfect. Plus contributing to projects like Audacity would look really good on your CV if you're trying to get a job somewhere like Ableton.

[H20nly]

^ +1 ...this reminds me...

a pretty solid/geeky guy I know was telling me, just last week, that Ubuntu (linux) has an open source music app that works like their version of photoshop... I think he was trying to nudge me into switching my OS - since I previously listed Live as my number one reason why the open source route won't work for me...

but for you, simon, it could be another way to get a look under the hood, so to speak.



here it is... http://ubuntustudio.org/

hth

[simonator123]

Wow. This is much more feedback than I ever expected. Thank you all very much. It greatly appreciate it.

ooo. dum and malutki, very useful websites. Thank you very much! When I have time I will check those out!

Tonedeft, I have taken three calculus courses, differential equations, a little Linear Algebra, and Statistics. I will have a math minor when I graduate. However, lol, that doesn't mean anything because I have forgotten almost all of what I have learned besides Calculus (don't remember the 3D stuff), not sure why I remember calculus so well. Maybe because I thought it was basic stuff and was good at it. What is control code? What other stuff, Tonedeft, cause I really don't know.

whatever the case may be, point yourself in the direction you want to go and do not deviate. take whatever jobs you can that get you to inch closer to your goal. put your time in and amazing things can happen. don't think you're above any job but know when you're in a rut and need to move on.

Great advice. Thank you. You are absolutely right. I need to focus on my goal, and do everything I can to make sure that that goal happens.

I've got some music theory under my belt.

Johny72, excellent idea! I have so many ideas now, I'm going to have to pick and choose. lol.

ShelLuser, that makes two people who have mentioned that program. I will have to look into that.

Wow. What a plethora of ideas. I have so many things to look up. I feel like all of my questions are drifting away. Thank you all.

What I have gotten out of this:
mess around with some of the software you guys have suggested
get familiar with DSP
look at some open source stuff
make something for audacity (great idea)
lol...well, there is much more. But that is what comes to mind immediately.

I will applying to Georgia State and Yale. They both have great Computer Science programs, and they both offer two DSP courses!

[Matthias]

You could start with enhancing your c++ skills with that ones:

- "Exceptional C++: 47 Engineering Puzzles, Programming Problems, and Solutions", Herb Sutter
- "Modern C++ Design: Generic Programming and Design Patterns Applied", Andrei Alexandrescu


And some classics on software:

- "Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software", Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, John M. Vlissides
- "Large-Scale C++ Software Design", John Lakos


Even if DSP is just 2% and if you are really sure you want to dive into, this one is a good start:

- "Discrete-Time Signal Processing", Alan V. Oppenheim


best wishes,
matthias