HelmBoy is a sequel to a historic virtual synthesizer, , and a fork of
of the original one.
It began as a personal gambit, playing back with c++, JUCE, and thinking of what it would be to get Helm back nowadays. As it's now in a usable state, I have the pleasure to share it, hoping you will have fun with it, and as a beginning for new forks adventures, maybe.
- Code update, to build and compile under C++20 (compiled under C++14).
- Code refactoring, using C++17 and C++20 otimisations
- Use of submodules, to keep project up to date in the future:
from
from
from xtensor, to allow SIMD optimisation, preserving a good compatibility
- Added waveforms display and possibility of direct choice (existed in code, but were disabled?)
- Added 2 mono LFO and 1 Poly LFO
- Extended step sequencer to a max of 64 steps.
- Hability to set individual step using direction arrows (left-right to change step, up-down to increase-decrease value, with .01 step, of .1 step using Ctrl ; also with 1/48 step using Shift, and 6/48 using Shift + Ctrl)
- Experimental midi 2.0 implementation (not tested)
- Phase Shifting on every waveforms (LFO and oscillators): like PWM for square, stretching the wave left or right depending on knob value
- Ring modulation
- Frequency modulation
- logo and design changes (tastes and colours...)
- added a 250% size option to about window
- lots of templates patches added, to allow easy sound design beginning
- Full documentation:
- Some controls keep black when launching the synth. Mouse over it or displaying the about window get rid of it.
- Linux and MacOS compilations not tested at this time (play with it and let me know if it's OK!)
- Asio initialisation in standalone mode sometimes a bit quirky (JUCE has some difficulties with my Steinberg ur44c audio interface). First try misses, second one is the good one.
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2026
Have fun!
Marc Scheffer, 2025 12 19