The open source toolkit for building virtual instruments and audio effects

Compile HISE from source code and stay up to date.

Precompiled binaries for Windows, macOS and Linux

Absolute Freedom

Compile native plugins (VST/AU/AAX) for macOS, Windows and Linux.

Batteries included

Start development with modular building blocks like Sampler, Synths, Modulation and FX.

Efficient Workflows

Write scripts with an inbuilt IDE, create interfaces with a WYSIWYG editor and program DSP in a graph environment.

Simple & Extendable

Start with Plug & Play, customize everything with Scripting add get into advanced C++ for maximum flexibility.

Deployment Tools

Add Expansions to your plugin, use a native Copy protection solution and distribute samples with HLAC compression.

Dev Community

Get to know an active and dedicated community of developers that will help you out when you're stuck.

Dive in

Documentation

Get to know the HISE Interface in the Quick Tour Learn about the basic Audio Modules, UI Components and the Scripting API Explore templates and example content with HISE Snippets

HISE Walkthrough Sit back and enjoy 20 minutes of going through the most important features of HISE:

Testimonials Read what other developers think about working with HISE:

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Features

Audio Modules HISE provides a broad range of basic audio modules: Sound generators like oscillators and samplers, modulators like envelopes and LFOs and effects such as EQs and convolution reverbs. Various auxiliary tools such as send effects, multichannel routing matrixes, and containers with flexible hotswap-functionality help you to create almost any audio plugin architecture. More info: Modules

Sampler With the HISE disk streaming engine and custom lossless audio codec you can create sample libraries that consume minimal memory and CPU resources. It features several modern sample library concepts such as Round Robin Groups, Lazy Loading, Dynamic Crossfades, and purgable multi-mic channels. The Sampler is tightly coupled with the scripting engine, enabling you to dynamically control functions such as hot-swapping sample sets or changing properties of individual samples. More info: Sampler Workspace Walkthrough | Sampler API

Scripting HISE's scripting language, which is derived from Javascript, provides a contemporary development workflow. Although it has been optimized for real-time performance for writing custom MIDI processing modules, it features several improvements that facilitate ease-of-use and solid code organization, even for large UI scripting projects. Every component in HISE, such as audio modules, samples, and DSP nodes, can be accessed and modified with the Scripting API. The built-in IDE tools, such as quick code navigation, breakpoints, console logging and live-variable-watch will significantly enhance your development flow.

More info: Scripting Reference | Scripting 101 Video

Scriptnode Scriptnode is a visual programming environment within HISE that empowers you to build custom audio effects, modulators, or synthesizers using low-level DSP building blocks like delay lines or math operators. If dragging cables is not your cup of tea, you can also write DSP algorithms using a JIT compiler for a subset of C++ or import third party C++ classes. Moreover, you can integrate DSP modules from other languages or applications, such as Faust and RNBO. Export your DSP algorithm as a static C++ class if you want to squeeze out the last CPU cycles. More info: ScriptNode Reference

Interface Designer Create the interface of your plug-ins with a workflow similar to that of graphic design applications: You can create, select, and manipulate UI elements using a drag-and-drop approach, modify properties, and structure them within a nested layer architecture while being able to preview the functional UI with a single click. Additionally, HISE's scripting engine is constantly accessible, allowing you to customize any behavior, appearance, or property of the UI. More info: [Interface Designer Reference] | [Watch Interface Designer Tutorial]

Native Plugin

Compile your project as a native application or audio plugin using a C++ compiler toolchain.

Create your own product installer. Use advanced features like scriptnode compilation or Faust DSP nodes. Modify the HISE codebase to optimize performance for your project. Compile and sign the binaries on each OS. Implement a custom copy protection solution. Incorporate third-party code and keep your IP secret.

Setting up the compilation process may seem intimidating at first, but there are videos available that demonstrate how to compile HISE on each supported platform: Once you've set it up, exporting your plugin becomes a one-click operation, plus you get the advantage of using the latest HISE version.

RHAPSODY Player Format

Export the plugin as a library for the RHAPSODY Player from Libre Wave. Quick route to your DAW Doesn't require you to set up a compile toolchain. Export it on your machine and use it on any OS that supports the RHAPSODY Player. You don't get the advantages and customizations that require a C++ compiler. The RHAPSODY Player from Libre Wave is open source and freely available and can be considered as the official platform for loading HISE libraries. Since it is an open platform, it easy to import and modify RHAPSODY libraries with HISE. This makes your plugin more accessible and customizable compared to a native binary deployment.

Knowledge Base There is a vast amount of information available if you need to learn more about HISE. During development, these three places of information will become very important, so make sure you check them out properly.

Open Source HISE Projects If you want to explore how a plugin is made in HISE, feel free to check out the repository of these open source projects. Note that for some of the third party projects you will have to contact the vendor to get the samples as they are usually not part of the repository.

HISE Tutorial Repository The official repository for multiple tutorials spanning simple projects like a basic synthesiser or convolution reverb to small examples for specific use cases like custom sample import. Libre Wave Sofia Woodwinds A very thorougly sampled woodwinds library by Libre Wave with emphasis on realtime playability.

Collab B3 The CollaB3 organ is a collaboration of various HISE developers and features a detailed reproduction of noises, clicks, leakage, rotary speaker and tonewheel.