cydsp 0.1.2

High-performance Python DSP toolkit built on C++ libraries via nanobind

cydsp

High-performance Python DSP toolkit built on C++ libraries via nanobind. All processing uses float32 in a planar [channels, frames] layout with block-based APIs that accept and return AudioBuffer objects.

Backends

Library	License	What it provides
signalsmith-dsp	MIT	Filters, FFT, delay, envelopes, spectral processing, rates, mix
DaisySP	MIT	Oscillators, effects, dynamics, drums, physical modeling, noise
STK	MIT	Physical modeling instruments, generators, filters, delays, effects
madronalib	MIT	FDN reverbs, resampling, generators, projections, windows
HISSTools Library	BSD-3	Convolution, spectral processing, statistical analysis, windows
CHOC	ISC	FLAC codec (read/write)

Requirements

• Python >= 3.10
• numpy
• C++17 compiler
• CMake >= 3.15

Install

pip install cydsp

Or if you prefer to build from source (requires uv and cmake):

git clone https://github.com/shakfu/cydsp.git
cd cydsp
uv sync            # install dependencies + build extension
uv run pytest      # run tests
uv build           # build wheel

Use make help for additional targets (build, test, lint, format, typecheck, qa, coverage, etc.).

CLI

cydsp ships with a command-line interface accessible via cydsp or python -m cydsp.

# File info
cydsp info drums.wav
cydsp info drums.wav --json

# Process with effect chain (single file)
cydsp process input.wav -o output.wav \
  -f highpass:cutoff_hz=80 \
  -f compress:ratio=4,threshold=-18 \
  -f normalize_peak:target_db=-1

# Apply a preset
cydsp process vocals.wav -o out.wav -p vocal_chain
cydsp process input.wav -o out.wav -f lowpass:cutoff_hz=12000 -p master

# Batch mode -- process multiple files to a directory
cydsp process *.wav -O out/ -f lowpass:cutoff_hz=2000

# Dry run -- show chain without reading/writing files
cydsp process input.wav -n -f highpass:cutoff_hz=80 -f compress:ratio=4

# Verbose / quiet
cydsp -v process input.wav -o out.wav -f lowpass:cutoff_hz=1000
cydsp -q process input.wav -o out.wav -p master

# Analyze
cydsp analyze input.wav loudness
cydsp analyze input.wav pitch --fmin=80 --fmax=800
cydsp analyze input.wav onsets --json
cydsp analyze input.wav info

# Synthesize
cydsp synth tone.wav sine --freq=440 --duration=2.0
cydsp synth kick.wav drum --type=analog_bass_drum --freq=60
cydsp synth melody.wav note --instrument=clarinet --freq=440 --duration=1.0
cydsp synth seq.wav sequence --instrument=flute \
  --notes='[{"freq":440,"start":0,"dur":0.5},{"freq":554,"start":0.5,"dur":0.5}]'

# Convert
cydsp convert input.wav output.flac
cydsp convert input.wav output.wav --sample-rate=44100 --channels=1 -b 24

# Presets
cydsp preset list
cydsp preset list spatial
cydsp preset info master
cydsp preset apply master input.wav output.wav target_lufs=-16

# Pipe (stdin/stdout streaming)
cat input.wav | cydsp pipe -f lowpass:cutoff_hz=1000 > output.wav
cat input.wav | cydsp pipe -p telephone > output.wav
cydsp pipe -f highpass:cutoff_hz=80 < in.wav | cydsp pipe -f compress:ratio=4 > out.wav

# Benchmark
cydsp benchmark lowpass:cutoff_hz=1000
cydsp benchmark compress:ratio=4,threshold=-20 -n 100 --duration=2.0
cydsp benchmark reverb:preset=hall --channels=2 --json

# List available functions
cydsp list
cydsp list filters
cydsp list effects

Presets

30 built-in presets across 8 categories:

Category	Presets
mastering	master, master_pop, master_hiphop, master_classical, master_edm, master_podcast
voice	vocal_chain
spatial	room, hall, plate, cathedral, chamber
dynamics	gentle_compress, heavy_compress, brick_wall
creative	radio, underwater, megaphone, tape_warmth, shimmer, vaporwave, walkie_talkie
lofi	telephone, lo_fi, vinyl, 8bit
cleanup	dc_remove, de_noise, normalize, normalize_lufs

Quick start

from cydsp.buffer import AudioBuffer
from cydsp import effects, analysis

# Read, process, write
buf = (
    AudioBuffer.from_file("input.wav")
    .pipe(effects.highpass, freq=80.0)
    .pipe(effects.compress, threshold=-18.0, ratio=4.0)
    .pipe(analysis.normalize_lufs, target_lufs=-14.0)
)
buf.write("output.wav")

Modules

cydsp.buffer -- AudioBuffer

The central data type. A 2D float32 array with shape [channels, frames] plus metadata (sample_rate, channel_layout, label).

from cydsp.buffer import AudioBuffer

# Construction
buf = AudioBuffer(np.zeros((2, 44100), dtype=np.float32), sample_rate=44100)
buf = AudioBuffer.from_file("input.wav")       # read WAV/FLAC
buf = AudioBuffer.sine(440.0, channels=1, frames=44100, sample_rate=44100)
buf = AudioBuffer.noise(channels=2, frames=44100, sample_rate=44100)
buf = AudioBuffer.zeros(channels=1, frames=1024, sample_rate=44100)
buf = AudioBuffer.impulse(channels=1, frames=1024, sample_rate=44100)

# Properties
buf.channels        # number of channels
buf.frames          # number of frames
buf.sample_rate     # sample rate in Hz
buf.duration        # duration in seconds
buf.mono            # 1D view (mono buffers only)
buf.channel(0)      # 1D view of channel 0

# Channel operations
buf.to_mono("mean")                    # downmix
buf.to_channels(2)                     # upmix mono to stereo
AudioBuffer.concat_channels(a, b)      # stack channels

# Arithmetic
buf + other          # add
buf * 0.5            # scale
buf.gain_db(-6.0)    # apply dB gain

# I/O
buf.write("output.wav")                # write WAV/FLAC (detected by extension)
buf.write("output.flac", bit_depth=24)

# Pipeline
buf.pipe(effects.lowpass, freq=1000.0)

cydsp.io -- Audio file I/O

Read and write WAV (8/16/24/32-bit PCM) and FLAC (16/24-bit) files. Zero external dependencies for WAV (uses stdlib wave); FLAC uses the CHOC codec.

from cydsp import io

buf = io.read("file.wav")          # auto-detect by extension
buf = io.read("file.flac")
io.write("out.wav", buf)           # 16-bit default
io.write("out.flac", buf, bit_depth=24)

# Format-specific
buf = io.read_wav("file.wav")
io.write_wav("out.wav", buf, bit_depth=24)
buf = io.read_flac("file.flac")
io.write_flac("out.flac", buf, bit_depth=16)

# Byte-level (for stdin/stdout/pipe workflows)
buf = io.read_wav_bytes(raw_bytes)           # parse WAV from bytes
raw = io.write_wav_bytes(buf, bit_depth=16)  # serialize to WAV bytes

cydsp.ops -- Core DSP operations

Low-level building blocks: delay, envelopes, FFT, convolution, sample rates, mixing, panning, normalization.

from cydsp import ops

# Delay
ops.delay(buf, delay_samples=100)
ops.delay_varying(buf, delays=delay_curve)

# Envelopes
ops.box_filter(buf, length=64)
ops.box_stack_filter(buf, size=32, layers=4)
ops.peak_hold(buf, length=128)
ops.peak_decay(buf, length=256)

# FFT
spectra = ops.rfft(buf)                        # forward real FFT
buf = ops.irfft(spectra, size=1024, sample_rate=44100)  # inverse

# Convolution
ops.convolve(buf, ir, normalize=True)

# Sample rates
ops.upsample_2x(buf)
ops.oversample_roundtrip(buf)

# Mixing
ops.hadamard(buf)              # Hadamard matrix mixing
ops.householder(buf)           # Householder reflection
ops.crossfade(buf_a, buf_b, x=0.5)
ops.mix_buffers(a, b, c, gains=[1.0, 0.5, 0.8])

# LFO
lfo_signal = ops.lfo(frames=44100, low=0.0, high=1.0, rate=2.0)

# Normalization
ops.normalize_peak(buf, target_db=-1.0)
ops.trim_silence(buf, threshold_db=-60.0)

# Fades
ops.fade_in(buf, duration_ms=10.0)
ops.fade_out(buf, duration_ms=50.0, curve="exp")

# Panning and stereo
ops.pan(buf, position=0.3)     # equal-power pan
ops.mid_side_encode(buf)
ops.mid_side_decode(buf)
ops.stereo_widen(buf, width=1.5)

cydsp.effects -- Filters, effects, dynamics, mastering

52 functions covering signalsmith biquad filters, DaisySP effects/filters/dynamics, composed effects, reverbs, mastering chains, and STK effects.

Biquad filters (signalsmith)

All filter functions take freq in Hz, auto-converted to normalized frequency.

from cydsp import effects

effects.lowpass(buf, freq=1000.0, q=0.707)
effects.highpass(buf, freq=80.0)
effects.bandpass(buf, freq=1000.0, q=2.0)
effects.notch(buf, freq=50.0)
effects.peak(buf, freq=1000.0, gain=2.0, q=1.0)
effects.peak_db(buf, freq=1000.0, db=6.0)
effects.high_shelf(buf, freq=8000.0, gain=1.5)
effects.high_shelf_db(buf, freq=8000.0, db=3.0)
effects.low_shelf(buf, freq=200.0, gain=0.8)
effects.low_shelf_db(buf, freq=200.0, db=-2.0)
effects.allpass(buf, freq=1000.0)

DaisySP effects

effects.autowah(buf, wah=0.5)
effects.chorus(buf, rate=1.0, depth=0.5)
effects.decimator(buf, downsample_factor=0.5, bitcrush_factor=0.5)
effects.flanger(buf, rate=0.2, depth=0.5, feedback=0.5)
effects.overdrive(buf, drive=0.7)
effects.phaser(buf, rate=0.3, depth=0.5, feedback=0.5)
effects.pitch_shift(buf, semitones=12.0)
effects.sample_rate_reduce(buf, factor=0.5)
effects.tremolo(buf, rate=5.0, depth=0.8)
effects.wavefold(buf, gain=2.0)
effects.bitcrush(buf, bits=8)
effects.fold(buf, gain=2.0)
effects.reverb_sc(buf, feedback=0.8, lpfreq=10000.0)
effects.dc_block(buf)

DaisySP filters

effects.svf_lowpass(buf, freq=1000.0, res=0.5)
effects.svf_highpass(buf, freq=200.0, res=0.5)
effects.svf_bandpass(buf, freq=1000.0, res=0.7)
effects.svf_notch(buf, freq=1000.0, res=0.5)
effects.svf_peak(buf, freq=1000.0, res=0.8)
effects.ladder_filter(buf, freq=800.0, res=0.6, mode="lp24")
effects.moog_ladder(buf, freq=1000.0, res=0.7)
effects.tone_lowpass(buf, freq=2000.0)
effects.tone_highpass(buf, freq=100.0)
effects.modal_bandpass(buf, freq=440.0, q=50.0)
effects.comb_filter(buf, freq=500.0, revtime=0.5)

Dynamics

effects.compress(buf, threshold=-20.0, ratio=4.0, attack=0.01, release=0.1)
effects.limit(buf, threshold=-1.0)

Composed effects

effects.saturate(buf, drive=0.7, mode="soft")    # soft, hard, or tape
effects.exciter(buf, freq=3000.0, drive=0.4)
effects.de_esser(buf, freq=6000.0, threshold=-20.0)
effects.parallel_compress(buf, mix=0.5, threshold=-24.0, ratio=8.0)
effects.noise_gate(buf, threshold_db=-40.0)
effects.stereo_delay(buf, delay_l=0.25, delay_r=0.375, feedback=0.4, ping_pong=True)
effects.multiband_compress(buf, crossovers=[200.0, 2000.0, 8000.0])

Reverb

effects.reverb(buf, preset="hall", decay=2.0, mix=0.3)
# Presets: room, hall, plate, chamber, cathedral

Mastering and vocal chains

effects.master(buf, target_lufs=-14.0)
effects.vocal_chain(buf, de_ess_freq=6000.0, comp_threshold=-18.0)

STK effects

effects.stk_reverb(buf, algorithm="freeverb", decay=1.5, mix=0.3)
effects.stk_chorus(buf, mod_depth=0.02, mod_freq=1.0, mix=0.5)
effects.stk_echo(buf, delay=0.25, max_delay=1.0, mix=0.5)

cydsp.spectral -- STFT and spectral processing

Short-time Fourier transform, spectral utilities, and spectral transforms.

from cydsp import spectral

# STFT
spec = spectral.stft(buf, window_size=2048, hop_size=512)
buf = spectral.istft(spec)

# Spectral utilities
mag = spectral.magnitude(spec)
ph = spectral.phase(spec)
spec = spectral.from_polar(mag, ph)
spec = spectral.apply_mask(spec, mask)
spec = spectral.spectral_gate(spec, threshold_db=-40.0)
spec = spectral.spectral_emphasis(spec, low_db=-3.0, high_db=3.0)
freq = spectral.bin_freq(bin_index=10, fft_size=2048, sample_rate=44100)
b = spectral.freq_to_bin(freq=1000.0, fft_size=2048, sample_rate=44100)

# Spectral transforms
stretched = spectral.time_stretch(buf, rate=0.5)        # half speed
locked = spectral.phase_lock(spec)                       # identity phase-locking
frozen = spectral.spectral_freeze(buf, frame_index=10)   # frozen texture
morphed = spectral.spectral_morph(spec_a, spec_b, x=0.5)
shifted = spectral.pitch_shift_spectral(buf, semitones=5.0)
denoised = spectral.spectral_denoise(buf, noise_frames=10)

# EQ matching
matched = spectral.eq_match(source_buf, target_buf, strength=1.0)

cydsp.synthesis -- Oscillators, noise, drums, physical modeling

Sound generators using DaisySP and STK backends.

from cydsp import synthesis

# Oscillators
synthesis.oscillator(freq=440.0, waveform="saw", frames=44100)
synthesis.fm2(freq=440.0, ratio=2.0, index=1.0, frames=44100)
synthesis.formant_oscillator(freq=440.0, formant_freq=800.0, frames=44100)
synthesis.bl_oscillator(freq=440.0, waveform="saw", frames=44100)

# Noise
synthesis.white_noise(frames=44100, amp=0.5)
synthesis.clocked_noise(freq=1000.0, frames=44100)
synthesis.dust(density=100.0, frames=44100)

# Drums
synthesis.analog_bass_drum(freq=60.0, frames=44100)
synthesis.analog_snare_drum(freq=200.0, frames=44100)
synthesis.hihat(freq=3000.0, frames=44100)
synthesis.synthetic_bass_drum(freq=60.0, frames=44100)
synthesis.synthetic_snare_drum(freq=200.0, frames=44100)

# Physical modeling
synthesis.karplus_strong(buf, freq=440.0, brightness=0.5, damping=0.5)
synthesis.modal_voice(freq=440.0, frames=44100)
synthesis.string_voice(freq=440.0, frames=44100)
synthesis.pluck(freq=440.0, frames=44100)
synthesis.drip(freq=1000.0, frames=44100)

# STK synthesis
synthesis.synth_note("clarinet", freq=440.0, amplitude=0.8, duration=1.0)
synthesis.synth_sequence("flute", notes=[
    {"freq": 440.0, "amp": 0.8, "start": 0.0, "dur": 0.5},
    {"freq": 554.37, "amp": 0.7, "start": 0.5, "dur": 0.5},
])

Available STK instruments: clarinet, flute, brass, bowed, plucked, sitar, stifkarp, saxofony, recorder, blowbotl, blowhole, whistle.

cydsp.analysis -- Loudness, spectral features, pitch, onsets, resampling

from cydsp import analysis

# Loudness (ITU-R BS.1770-4)
lufs = analysis.loudness_lufs(buf)
buf = analysis.normalize_lufs(buf, target_lufs=-14.0)

# Spectral features
centroid = analysis.spectral_centroid(buf)
bandwidth = analysis.spectral_bandwidth(buf)
rolloff = analysis.spectral_rolloff(buf, percentile=0.85)
flux = analysis.spectral_flux(buf, rectify=True)
flatness = analysis.spectral_flatness_curve(buf)
chroma = analysis.chromagram(buf, n_chroma=12, tuning_hz=440.0)

# Pitch detection (YIN algorithm)
f0, confidence = analysis.pitch_detect(buf, method="yin", fmin=50.0, fmax=2000.0)

# Onset detection
onsets = analysis.onset_detect(buf, method="spectral_flux", threshold=0.5)

# Resampling
buf_48k = analysis.resample(buf, target_sr=48000.0)       # madronalib backend
buf_22k = analysis.resample_fft(buf, target_sr=22050.0)   # FFT-based

cydsp.stream -- Real-time streaming infrastructure

Block-based processing, ring buffers, and processor chains for streaming audio.

from cydsp.stream import (
    RingBuffer, BlockProcessor, CallbackProcessor, ProcessorChain, process_blocks
)

# Ring buffer
rb = RingBuffer(channels=2, capacity=8192)
rb.write(frame_data)
chunk = rb.read(512)

# Block processor
class MyProcessor(BlockProcessor):
    def process_block(self, block):
        return block * 0.5

proc = MyProcessor(block_size=512)
out = proc.process(buf)

# Callback processor
proc = CallbackProcessor(block_size=512, fn=lambda b: b * 0.5)

# Chain processors
chain = ProcessorChain([proc1, proc2, proc3])
out = chain.process(buf)

# Process with overlap-add
out = process_blocks(buf, block_size=2048, hop_size=512, fn=my_spectral_fn)

cydsp._core -- C++ bindings (low-level)

Direct access to the C++ extension module with 12 submodules. All high-level Python modules build on these.

Submodule	Backend	Contents
filters	signalsmith	Biquad with 16 filter designs, BiquadDesign enum
fft	signalsmith	FFT (complex), RealFFT (real)
delay	signalsmith	Delay (linear), DelayCubic (cubic interpolation)
envelopes	signalsmith	CubicLfo, BoxFilter, BoxStackFilter, PeakHold, PeakDecayLinear
spectral	signalsmith	STFT (multi-channel analysis/synthesis)
rates	signalsmith	Oversampler2x
mix	signalsmith	Hadamard, Householder, cheap_energy_crossfade
daisysp	DaisySP	9 submodules, ~60 classes (oscillators, filters, effects, dynamics, drums, noise, physical modeling, control, utility)
stk	STK	5 submodules, 39 classes (instruments, generators, filters, delays, effects)
madronalib	madronalib	FDN reverbs, resampling, generators, 18 projection functions, 6 window functions
hisstools	HISSTools	Convolution (mono/multi), spectral processing, 24 statistics functions, 28 window functions, partial tracking
choc	CHOC	FLAC read/write

from cydsp._core import filters, fft, delay, daisysp, stk, madronalib, hisstools

# Example: direct biquad usage
bq = filters.Biquad()
bq.lowpass(0.1, 0.707)
out = bq.process(input_array)

# Example: direct FFT
f = fft.RealFFT(1024)
spectrum = f.fft(signal)

# Example: DaisySP oscillator
osc = daisysp.oscillators.Oscillator()
osc.init(44100.0)
osc.set_freq(440.0)
samples = osc.process(1024)

Full type stubs are provided in _core.pyi for IDE autocompletion and type checking.

Architecture

cydsp/
  __init__.py          # package root (__version__ only)
  __main__.py          # CLI entry point (argparse, subcommand handlers)
  _cli.py              # function/preset registries, fx parser, type coercion
  _core.cpython-*.so   # compiled C++ extension (nanobind)
  _core.pyi            # type stubs for C++ extension
  _helpers.py          # shared private utilities
  buffer.py            # AudioBuffer class
  io.py                # audio file I/O (WAV + FLAC)
  ops.py               # delay, envelopes, FFT, convolution, rates, mix, pan
  effects.py           # filters, effects, dynamics, reverb, mastering
  spectral.py          # STFT, spectral transforms, eq_match
  synthesis.py         # oscillators, noise, drums, physical modeling
  analysis.py          # loudness, spectral features, pitch, onsets, resample
  stream.py            # ring buffer, block processors, overlap-add

Development

make build    # rebuild extension after C++ changes
make test     # run 1114 tests
make qa       # test + lint + typecheck + format
make coverage # tests with coverage report

License

MIT