Contribute

JSynthLib Developers' Resources

Various resources exist to aid anyone who is interested in contributing to the continued
development of JSynthLib. The JSynthLib Programmer's Guide contains a lengthy section on how to create new drivers for JSynthLib. Anyone interested in adding support for currently unsupported synths should check this out.

There is a mailing list for JSynthLib developers and those interested in JSynthLib development to converse and ask questions. Mailing list membership is open to everyone. Please consider joining jsynthlib-devel if you are interested in JSynthLib development.

Although the source code for each version of JSynthLib is included in the JSynthLib
distribution, you should download the latest version of the source code to get any improvements made after the latest release. The source can be downloaded via SVN from JSynthLib's Project Page.

Options for Contributing to JSynthLib

Option One: Write Synthesizer Driver / Editor Modules

If you own a synthesizer which is not supported by JSynthLib, consider writing a module for the synthesizer and contributing it to the project. This will require a little knowledge of Java (you can pick it up in about an hour if you know C++) and an understanding of System Excusive Data. You will also need a copy of the MIDI Specifications for your synthesizer. Usually the required information can be found in the back of the manual.

On average, once you understand the program, you can write a driver for a synthesizer (to give it librarian support) in a couple of hours and can write a patch editor in a day or two. Details on how to write modules can be found in the [Programmer Guide].

You can begin working on a module for an unsupported synthesizer autonomously, and then contribute the code when ready, but join the mailing list to avoid duplicating effort.

Option Two: Add Features / Fix Bugs in the Core Program

If you wish to work on the core program, you should synchronize with the developers on the mailing list given above in order to not duplicate efforts.

Option Three: Contribute without Programming

If you are unable to program in Java or do not have the time to do so, but still wish to contribute to the project, you can send us Specifications we lack (currently we need a detailed specification for a Yamaha TG33 (we have the manual but it doesn't go into enough detail for us to write a patch editor).

Also, we will gratefully accept donations of suitable synthesizers for us to add support for.