Re: Jack at the OS level? No way!
Re: Jack at the OS level? No way!
- Subject: Re: Jack at the OS level? No way!
- From: Benjamin Tremblay <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2007 04:30:10 -0800
I suspected this, judging by the sandbox-ness of the CoreAudio
architecture.
I think the only way to enable a global effects chain will be to build
something very low-level that tunnels around CoreAudio and to some
extent HAL. But I don't know how to do this. I think even the idea of
a virtual device driver is not enough, because you cannot automatically
designate the output device for each running audio app.
I see this as a challenge to splice an effects path into the very last
stage of the audio chain... rather EACH audio chain for EACH device.
What was known in the ancient times as patching a trap: spoofing an API
that handles audio device control.
On Jan 22, 2007, at 1:39 AM, Mikael Sundström wrote:
I don't think the reluctance from Apple to implement this kind of
inter-app audio routing functionality is due to pesky "DRM problems"
at all, and it's certainly not a matter of lack of competence! Let's
face it, Apple has some really talented people on board, and the audio
team is no exception! You may have seen the name James McCartney flash
by in this thread for instance. That's the guy who created
'Supercollider' back in the OS 9 days. Just take a look at that solo
achievement, and you gotta admit he's a pretty talented guy. Apple
scoops up such people.
No, if Apple wanted to do this, these guys can do it, and they can do
it really, really well.
But it seems someone don't want them to.
I think this is entirely a business decision. Think about it for a
minute: Apple gives away Garageband for free, preinstalled on every
machine, integrated with the rest of the i-suite. Anyone who can click
a mouse can instantly "create their own music". Kind of hard for
anyone to compete with that, don't you think? So, entry-level audio
producion is pretty much cornered on the mac. And once the new user's
appetite for greater things have been stirred, he's bound to have a
ton of Garageband projects he's invested time and creativity in. What
audio production software will allow him to import his stuff and
continue working with it? Why, that would be Logic, and nothing else.
So this new user's upgrade path is pretty much cornered too.
The ugly truth is, audio production on the mac is meant to be an
all-Apple business, from sowing the corn to selling the loaf!
You may not see it yet, because older users still cling to their older
stuff, but the next generation of users will grow along the path Apple
has groomed for them. Or at least that's the plan of Apple's
management, as evidenced by their actions. You can see the same
development in other fields as well, Apple is positioning itself as
the main (the only?) developer of third-party software for their
machines.
Apple does invite us third-party losers to share the fun in one, and
one way only: we may write audio unit plug-ins compatible with
Garageband and Logic. The developer docs even points the finger in
that direction, saying "look, here's a business opportunity for you.
Go for it.". I can't think of any other kind of software that Apple
actually encourage you to write in that way. Heck, they even offer you
assistance via this list to do so. Yes, it is indeed a business
opportunity, and Apple is indeed letting you have it, perhaps to some
extent out of the goodness of their hearts, but mostly because it's a
dang hard one to corner!
And when it comes to Apple providing general inter-app audio
communication, you have to ask the same question any Ferengi would:
"Where's the profit in that?"
Inter-app audio is not needed to use Garageband and Logic. The only
good it will do, is to allow the competition to stay around longer. To
allow the end users the freedom to stitch together their own toolbox,
taken from all manners of free market participants. Apple is not going
to provide it, which means it will stay a business opportunity in it's
own right, though one you'll have to pursue without Apple's blessing.
It means you'll have to solve any problems involved yourself, and be
prepared to keep solving them over and over for each system upgrade. I
applaud anyone taking up such noble tasks, as everyone's freedom is
ultimately at stake.
Cynical? Yes, but not without reason. Apple is a successful business,
with a decided taste for monopoly situations. Look at the iTunes-iPod
integration for further confirmation. Who's interest is it the music
you buy at the iTunes store can't be listened to in any other
mp3-player than the iPod? The user's, or Apple's? And who's interest
is it only the big record companies are allowed to sell their music
via this avenue? The user's, or the big record companies? Is it really
such a long stretch to conclude Apple secured the cooperation of the
big record companies, on Apple's terms, in exchange for a promise to
keep the small record companies out? This matters a lot, by the way.
Online music purchases are very random in nature, and anyone allowed
to put their music at the iTunes store WILL get sales, just for being
there. People will click on anything! :-)
Small record companies could really use such revenue, and the entire
music industry would get revitalized from it. Before you knew it,
music could actually become worth listening to again.
What prevent's this from happening? Apple. Apple is the gatekeeper,
and it's firmly commited to keeping the little guys locked out from
the race. The benefit to Apple's shareholders is great, as their
earning reports will tell you. The detriment to the common good of
humanity is equally great, as your ears will tell you whenever you
turn on the radio.
No, unfortunately Apple is not any more commited to the common good
than, say, Microsoft! They just happen to make better products.
Mikael Sundström _______________________________________________
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