Embedded Comparo: Small DSP Systems Side-by-Side

Francesco Di Maggio; Bart Hengeveld; Atau Tanaka

Embedded Comparo: Small DSP Systems Side-by-Side

Abstract:

This paper presents a comparative analysis of four embedded platforms designed for real-time audio processing: Bela, Daisy, OWL, and Raspberry Pi. These platforms have become integral tools in the field of embedded musical instrument design, offering a variety of workflows, programming environments, and deployment methods. Although each system carries its own distinct strengths and constraints, the current workflow to embed DSP code across multiple devices lacks standardized approaches. To address this challenge, we develop a methodology that focuses on deploying Pure Data patches across all four platforms. Our study is structured around four test patches. Our findings highlight the trade-offs in latency, processing power, and memory constraints across the selected platforms. As a result, we propose a streamlined workflow to deploy Pd patches across all boards using Plugdata, the Heavy Compiler, and their respective web IDEs. As an ongoing contribution to the NIME community, we document our methodologies, workflows, and best practices in an open source online repository, which serves as a continuously evolving resource for future research in the hands of musicians, researchers, and developers working with embedded musical systems.