A filter compiler for digital sound synthesis

A simple one-pass compiler that translates an intermediate filter language (IFL) into filter code is described. The main motivation is to provide an easy way to experiment with filters for digital sound synthesis. Any realizable, linear, constant-coefficient digital filter can be represented, using two primitive commands. The present version takes less than 250 lines of Pascal and produces Pascal. This compiler is completely portable, requires small computer resources, uses text input that can be generated by other programs, and is easy to modify. As an example of an application, an elaboration of the plucked-string filter is described that produces beat tones in a way similar to FM synthesis