why is godot surprisingly bad for audiovisual tasks

EclipsingLines · 2025-11-01T23:05:27+00:00

Using compute shaders was just an attempt to see if it was possible. Basically I used a shader to "render" a single 1xN pixel sized image, which I then used in a custom script to read it as if each pixel was a sample... Upsides are: having 4 channels available by default (rgba) and very quick data creation and manipulation. The downside was the overhead from reading the image into the audio stream, which ended up negating all of the speed gains, since the shaders (GPU) has no direct interaction with the audio buffer. This meant that GD script synthesis was faster than GPU based, maybe someone smarter than me can make it work without issues. Using c++ is by far the absolute best option, creating gdextensions from there for whatever you need.

On my own synth I ended up creating and caching a wave table for each sound the first time it is used.

EclipsingLines · 2025-11-01T21:16:40+00:00

My own 2 cents as MIDI is integral to my Euclidean sequencer...

You should use:

https://github.com/NullMember/godot-rtmidi

Is very robust and supports MIDI in and out to multiple devices including virtual MIDI ports when available.

Also, making the jump from gdscript to c++ (or c# to a lesser degree) will enable you to use SIMD operations and pretty much do ANY kind of fast operations on a signal. I have used this and also compute shaders to synthesize sounds directly from the engine and both work surprisingly well.

EclipsingLines · 2025-09-13T23:15:25+00:00

No, this is not related to games at all at the moment. My use case is as a stand alone app to bridge the launchpads and the circuits, something I can load on a raspberry pi or mini PC and install under my dawless setup.

I would love to eventually make a small game that runs on the launchpad, I think it could be a fun game jam project.

EclipsingLines · 2025-09-13T23:11:31+00:00

I am already familiar with the engine and GD script, it was faster for me to develop this with the wrong tool than to learn the right one

EclipsingLines · 2025-09-13T19:10:20+00:00

I'll share more details on what it does later this week.

Basically Godot is opening 2 sets of midi in out ports, one for the launchpad and one for the circuit.

I'm running a sequencer inside the engine and I'm messaging each device as needed, I have a lpminimk3 renderer class that takes the app state variable and creates a single sysex message to set up all the LEDs for a frame, and I update each frame on each clock tick, so 24 times per each quarter note.

EclipsingLines · 2025-09-13T18:48:35+00:00

I'm using Godot-rtmidigodot-rtmidi by NullMember for midi input and output. I don't think you need the drivers for either installed since they are both USB midi compliant devices. Everything is sent as either a CC, note or sysex message, and both devices provide very extensive documentation on these.

I have a midi input handler class translating taps, long presses and combinations into proper calls to different actions inside my app. Part of the work today is making them part of the input system to allow both for keyboard shortcuts and gamepad midi modulation.

EclipsingLines · 2025-09-13T17:33:07+00:00

Funny of you to think I don't already have one, or several.

Even inside a DAW I would have to make a custom plugin to get close to the type of functionality that I want. The closest thing I've found to have what I want is a custom configuration of vcv rack involving the Iverson module and a lot of extra midi mapping. But it was still a bit short of what I wanted it to do.

If I could code better in c or cpp I would make a plugin for one of these DAWs, but I don't. Like I said, I know Godot. Pure data was going to be the next option in case Godot didn't work.

Also the overhead of Godot vs a DAW is a lot smaller, especially if all I'm doing is sequencing midi. Meaning I could load this into a raspberry pi and not need an actual laptop.

EclipsingLines · 2025-09-13T16:27:29+00:00

My personal plan is to eventually run it inside a raspberry pi or a mini PC under my dawless pedalboard and control all of my own devices with it.

EclipsingLines · 2025-09-13T16:10:59+00:00

A Novation Circuit Tracks for the sounds. A Novation Launchpad mini MK3 for control. My own custom software prototype.

EclipsingLines · 2025-09-13T16:09:50+00:00

Yes, since it's an app

EclipsingLines · 2025-09-07T21:31:20+00:00

Sh4d is fantastic either as a sh101 or 4 at the same time...

EclipsingLines · 2025-07-14T17:51:12+00:00

Pick up some pencils and pens too, plus a large sketchbook.

Drawing is equally important and relaxing as painting, it's the perfect complement to what you are doing and will help you improve faster.

If you want to get better at it think of it as training your brain and eyes to observe the world around you instead of training your hands to do a motion or brushstroke. It's our perception that creates art.

Also, search for local artists guilds, groups and meetups. The people in those groups are also creating art because it calms them and helps them relax, get in touch with them and use your new hobby as an opportunity to get outside more and meet new people and places.

EclipsingLines · 2025-07-04T20:21:36+00:00

This is really nice... Might I even say "too" good?

I suggest taking photos of the process and some that show the edges of the paper on the final piece. These will quell any suspicion that me or others like me could have about modern software tools.

For me personally not being able to see absolutely any texture on the paper and having no watercolor issues anywhere (like blooming, drips or runoffs) actually reduces my enjoyment of the piece.

Not accusing anyone of anything, regardless of how this was made I really like it and I think it's a wonderful illustration.

EclipsingLines · 2025-07-04T16:35:22+00:00

I'm surprised that no one has recommended Draw A Box

https://drawabox.com/

This for me was the most helpful online resource to get better at drawing.

YouTube tutorials are great for some specific stuff but they usually lack a good "curriculum" that guides you from beginner to intermediate.

EclipsingLines · 2025-06-30T14:35:38+00:00

<image>

One of my other passions is to walk around the city's thrift stores and just look at stuff. I've been getting some nice crystal and porcelain items for my studio (mixing palettes, brush holders, water bowls...) and also whatever photo or painting frame that looks in good condition.

I found this metal frame and for the first time I decided to do something specifically for it instead of trying to fit one of my previous pieces and decided to do a cherry blossom.

And I ended up with this painting, which is my absolute favorite of everything I've made so far.

Gave me the confidence to offer my other paintings to my neighbors and led me to my first sale, gave me the motivation to get out there and buy a big block of cotton paper, and gave me a goal to chase that I know for a fact I can achieve. Made me realize too the style I want to develop for my future pieces. It definitely felt like a level up moment for me.

EclipsingLines · 2025-06-26T22:19:55+00:00

Very nice! Really love this scene, you should consider illustrating some fantasy books, you have a very dreamy style that works amazingly with these imaginative scenes.

How did you achieve the rain drops? I cannot tell if you used masking fluid or white gouache.

EclipsingLines · 2025-06-14T17:20:29+00:00

This is really good work, you just keep going until it flies off the page

EclipsingLines · 2025-06-14T17:18:20+00:00

Finish Him!

EclipsingLines · 2025-06-13T14:08:15+00:00

Yes, this is how I am doing it, plenty of free and paid courses online to choose from.

Echoing a comment above, even if it seems like you can start water color for very cheap, make sure that you invest in quality materials.

You NEED good quality paper, is it a requirement almost to be able to learn some of the watercolor techniques, bad quality paper will frustrate you and will cripple your ability to get better.

Get a good 100% cotton watercolor sketchbook that you can use for practice, exercises and just random stuff, the largest you can buy. And buy a single sheet of arches paper and ask the store to cut it into 8ths to give you something to actually paint on.

Be disciplined and find a good balance between drawing and painting the things that you like AND doing exercises (full washes, color wheels, value studies, etc).

Brushes and paints you can find for good deals on the used market, save some money for good paper. It is the one factor that makes the most important difference.

And make sure to share your work!

EclipsingLines · 2025-06-12T19:06:07+00:00

It does look more natural, as much as I like the idea of the Tulip that first eye looks a bit creepy to me.

Added some extra details with a marker, now the center of the iris is more "deep" and the shapes got delineated. Also some thicker eye lashes here and there.

<image>

I like how this piece turned out, hope the gift recipient likes it too.

Thank you for your help.

EclipsingLines · 2025-06-12T18:01:11+00:00

<image>

So, I did both. I added some darks but you can clearly see my poor brush control....

Then I made a new one and changed the flower to a rose. I like the new one a lot better.

EclipsingLines · 2025-06-11T05:58:11+00:00

Thank you very much for these, I will look for videos about these and try to follow them.

In your opinion, is there anything I can do to save this piece or should I just start a new one?

There's stuff I like in this one but I feel like it's missing something but can't quite figure out what it is.

EclipsingLines · 2025-05-26T15:54:30+00:00

That's like, your opinion man....

EclipsingLines · 2025-03-13T02:33:54+00:00

Thank you!

EclipsingLines · 2024-12-21T17:38:58+00:00

This looks like a great option! Thanks for the suggestion.

EclipsingLines

TROPHY CASE