The development of music-related software depends upon specialist music and real-time application programming interfaces (APIs). These are exposed by operating systems, provided in software libraries or by implementation engines, or embedded in console devices.

This module discusses the conceptual and technical underpinnings of such library software and builds experience of working with a variety of APIs, libraries and related editors and tools.

The design and implementation of an audio engine will be explored, and the use of digital audio and the MIDI protocol (and related data structures) in this context will be investigated.

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to

• Demonstrate an effective understanding of the design, implementation and use of music-related APIs and libraries.
• Develop software correctly within the context of real-time, multi-threading and other relevant system features.
• Implement music-related software leveraging industry-standard proprietary and cross-platform APIs and libraries.
• Design and build a custom audio API / library.

Student achievement will be measured by In-Course Assessment to include the development of a portfolio of work.

C++ Programming 2 is a pre-requisite for this module.

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