This page highlights active NyxFX audio systems, plugins, and experimental tools built in modern C++.
Projects span VST3 plugin development, spectral analysis, MIDI processing, and real-time 2D graphics pipelines.
Many projects are accompanied by engineering articles documenting the journey, architecture, and design decisions behind them.
NyxFX Spectral MIDI Engine
Real-time spectral analysis tool for converting audio energy into MIDI events.
NyxFX Spectral MIDI Engine is a modular audio analysis system designed to extract musically meaningful MIDI events from spectral content. It was built as the signal-analysis backbone for nyx.vfx, a real-time graphics pipeline driven by MIDI input.
The standalone version focuses on algorithm development, deterministic testing, and real-time visualization prior to full VST3 integration.
Current Features
- Real-time ring buffer + hop processing
- Configurable FFT pipeline
- Windowing algorithms (Hann / Hamming / Blackman)
- Hot-swappable MIDI mapping engine
- Harmonic Energy Mapper
- Gaussian Cents Mapper
- Real-time FFT visualization
- MIDI note visualization
- Synthetic oscillator test harness for deterministic algorithm validation
- ImGui-based parameter control
Status
Active standalone development.
VST3 integration planned after multi-region spectral analysis is completed.
Accompanying Engineering Series
This project is documented in a technical article series covering the design decisions behind the spectral pipeline, mapping approaches, and testing infrastructure.
- Part 1: Setting up test infrastructure
- Part 2: Simulating Hardware, Ring Buffers, and FFT Pipeline
- Part 3: Window Functions, Harmonic Energy Mapping, UI and Rendering
- Part 4: Gaussian Cents Mapping, Swappable Mapping
- Multi-region Spectral Analysis (in progress)
nyx.vfx: Visual Effects Engine VST3 Plugin
Real-time MIDI-driven visual effects engine (VST3).
nyx.vfx is a multithreaded real-time shader pipeline for MIDI-triggered visual effects. The plugin renders GPU-accelerated graphics synchronized with musical events and supports exporting frame-accurate video output.
Originally developed as a visual event mapping tool for synchronizing music with video effects in DaVinci Resolve, the system evolved into a modular shader-driven visual engine.
Key Features
- Multi-pass shader rendering pipeline
- MIDI-driven visual triggers
- Real-time parameter automation
- Dynamic parameter registration system
- Frame-accurate video export
- Deep interactive UI for effect experimentation
Accompanying Engineering Articles
- Architecture
- Faster Expiration Scheduler
- PreShader Pipeline Design (Part 1)
- PreShader Pipeline Design (Part 2)
- Feedback Shader Redesign
- Nebula Drift Shader Effect
Walkthrough 1
Walkthrough 2
nyx.vtheory: Chord & Music Theory VST3 Plugin
Interactive music theory and chord exploration tool (VST3).
nyx.vtheory was created to provide a faster and more flexible way to explore chord progressions and music theory compared to traditional DAW tools or extensions such as ChordGun (much love to ChordGun, however).
The plugin focuses on visualizing harmonic relationships and enabling rapid progression experimentation.
Features
- Visual chord relationship mapping
- Rapid progression selection
- Custom progression creation
- Flexible layout system
- Chord stacking support
Version 1.2
Version 1.0
nyx.vgtr: Virtual Guitar MIDI Interface VST3 Plugin
nyx.vgtr is an experimental alternative to the traditional DAW piano roll. Instead of editing MIDI on a keyboard grid, the plugin allows interaction through a guitar-style fretboard interface.
The goal is to provide a more intuitive workflow for guitarists who want to compose, analyze, or document MIDI using a familiar instrument layout.
The project began while transcribing NES music from MIDI files and experimenting with alternative ways to represent note relationships on a fretboard.
Status: In development (early test version coming soon.)
If you're interested in becoming a tester, contact: