controlling VST instruments from Ruby

Question

I've recently bought a copy of EZDrummer, a VST plugin that acts as a virtual drumkit. I'd really like to hook into it from Ruby code so that I can create loops and drum patterns programmatically. To be honest I am not sure even where to start. Presumably I have to create a VST host which can load the plugin and then hook into it somehow. I am a Ruby developer so that's the language I'd be looking to implement this in. Any pointers in the right direction?

Answer 1

Since you bought a VST plugin, I assume you have some sort of DAW as well. Before you start trying to host a VST from within ruby, try the following smaller projects:

1. Generate a MIDI file from ruby. Load the MIDI file into your DAW, and play.
2. Stream live MIDI data from your ruby process to your DAW. On Windows, you can do this with ReWire, on OSX, you can create an IAC bus in the Audio / MIDI setup app.

If you need more direct control of EZDrummer than this allows you, then go down the path of trying to host the VST from within Ruby.