HISE Scripting Foundations
Learn the core principles of plugin scripting
A step-by-step course that teaches you how to write scripts in HISE.
You’ve mastered the visual tools in HISE but the real magic happens with code.
You can construct module trees, build effects, and create GUIs, but when you want your instrument to do something smart, you hit a wall.
Scripts look mysterious. Copy-pasted snippets don’t work for you. The documentation feels cryptic.
You know there’s power hidden behind the Script Editor, you just need someone to show you how to unlock it.
If that sounds like you, then you’re in the right place.
A Powerful Scripting Language That’s Actually Easy to Learn
I began my audio development journey more than 15 years ago, building sample libraries in Kontakt. At first, I didn’t know how to script, and the idea of learning Kontakt’s scripting language, just to add a few basic features, felt like a mountain I didn’t want to climb.
I kept putting it off, but without scripting my projects lacked the polish and functionality of professional libraries. Even creating a half-decent user interface was impossible without it. Eventually, I gave in and started learning. With only a handful of resources available, it was slow going. It took weeks to understand the basics, months to gain confidence, and a couple of years to reach a professional level. By then, I could build powerful scripts, but I never enjoyed working in KSP or the Kontakt editor.
Enter HISE
Then HISE arrived, and it completely changed the game. Its scripting language was a breath of fresh air. Unlike Kontakt, HISE is built for developers, not end users. From the start, it included tools that made scripting faster, clearer, and far more enjoyable.
That said, there’s still a learning curve. HISE Script borrows ideas from JavaScript but also introduces its own concepts and quirks. I’ve been there since the early days, not only watching the language evolve but also contributing to its development. Over that time, I’ve built up insights and experience that go beyond what most new users will encounter.
This background gives me a clear understanding of why HISE works the way it does, helping me explain its design choices and guide others through challenges that might seem confusing at first.
Why Many Struggle
Over time, as more developers started using HISE, I noticed a common pattern: many struggled to get started with scripting. Most came from music, not programming. They were composers, producers, and sound designers, just like I was when I first faced KSP. Learning a scripting language felt daunting, even unnecessary.
If that’s you, here’s the good news: HISE scripting is easier than it looks, as long as you start with the right foundation. Once you understand the core principles, everything else builds naturally. You’ll avoid the confusion and bad habits that often come from piecing together a mix of online resources without clear guidance. You’ll write clean, reliable code from the start, and you’ll save countless hours of frustration down the road.
For Those with Coding Experience
There’s another group of developers I often see: those with some coding background. Maybe you’ve worked with KSP, or perhaps you’re a web or app developer who already understands logic and control flow.
That experience helps, but it can also trip you up. Many experienced programmers expect HISE to behave like the languages they already know. When it doesn’t, they try to force it to, and that leads to unnecessary complexity. The better path is to reset and learn HISE from the ground up.
Understand how it works, not how to make it work like something else. You’ll move faster, make fewer mistakes, and develop a much deeper understanding of the platform.
Building a Solid Foundation
Wherever you’re starting from, the key to long-term success in HISE is the same: build a solid foundation. It will save you months, sometimes years, of trial and error. You’ll skip the dead ends and get straight to the concepts and techniques that actually matter.
In recent years, tools like ChatGPT and other AI assistants have made it tempting to skip the learning process and let them write code for you. But without a real understanding of how scripting works, the results will be inconsistent and unreliable.
AI will be a powerful tool once you know the basics, but it’s not a substitute for knowledge and experience. You’ll often spend more time trying to get AI to produce a simple working script than it would take to learn those foundations yourself. Once you do, AI becomes a helpful companion rather than a crutch, saving time instead of wasting it.
What I’ve Seen From My Students
Since I began teaching HISE scripting, I’ve seen hundreds of developers make rapid progress. Some have turned their skills into full-time businesses, while others have discovered a new creative outlet that deepens their connection to music.
If you’re ready to start your own journey and want the best possible head start, the HISE Scripting Foundations is where you begin.
Sound Familiar?
Too Much Info, No Direction
You’ve opened the docs and there’s plenty to read, but how do you know which parts are actually relevant to your project? Without context it’s hard to know where to start or what the jargon means.
Code Snippets Don’t Always Work for You
You’ve copied examples from the forum, but they don’t behave the same way in your project and you don’t know why. Without understanding the logic behind the code, every fix feels like guesswork and every error sends you back to square one.
You Have A Destination, But No Clear Path
You can see exactly how you want your project to behave, but translating that vision into code feels impossible. You know the goal, yet the steps to reach it aren’t clear, leaving you stuck.
Your Project Feel Static, Not Dynamic
You can design interfaces that look professional, but they don’t react. You want your plugin to change, respond, and adapt to the user’s actions, yet without scripting all you have is fixed, lifeless behaviour.
AI Vibe-Coding Never Works For You
You’ve tried to get AI to do the heavy lifting. The script looks right, but it doesn’t run, and fixing it feels impossible. That’s because AI can’t replace understanding. Without knowing how scripts actually work, you can’t guide AI to the right solution.
Trial and Error Isn’t Getting You There
You’ve spent hours testing, tweaking, and guessing, but progress feels slow and uncertain. What you need isn’t more aimless experimenting, it’s a clear, structured path that helps scripting finally make sense.
This course gives you the clarity and structure to stop guessing and start understanding.
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to use scripting to make your instruments dynamic, expressive, and professional.
With HISE Scripting Foundations
You’ll Finally Understand What the Code Is Doing
No more copy/pasting lines you don’t understand.
You’ll know what each statement means, why it’s there, and how to change it to get the result you want.
You’ll Learn by Doing, Not Just Watching
Every concept is reinforced with a practical project.
You’ll write code, test it, and see immediate results, so every lesson sticks.
You’ll Build Confidence with Real Structure
The course follows a clear, logical path that builds knowledge one layer at a time.
By the end, scripting will feel like a natural part of your development process, not an obstacle.
You’ll Create Interactive, Responsive Projects
You’ll move beyond static controls and learn how to make your plugins react to user input, MIDI messages, and changing conditions.
You’ll Gain the Foundation to Grow on Your Own
Instead of relying on tutorials or forum snippets, you’ll leave with the understanding to explore new ideas independently.
This course gives you the tools to keep learning and solving problems long after you finish.
Learn HISE Script the Smart Way, Not the Hard Way
You could spend months piecing together snippets, forum posts, and half-working code examples…
but that approach costs time, drains your energy, and often leads to bad habits that are hard to unlearn later.
HISE Scripting Foundations gives you a direct, structured route. You’ll know exactly what to focus on and in what order, and how each concept builds on the last. A clear path that makes sense from start to finish.
Rather than guessing your way through inconsistent examples, you’ll follow a focused sequence that builds real understanding step by step. The result is less frustration, faster progress, and solid, reliable code you’ll be confident to use in every project.
Learn it once, learn it right, and save yourself months of trial and error.
A Small Investment That Pays for Itself Many Times Over
Hiring a developer to fix bugs, write scripts, or add custom features adds up fast. One small change can cost more than this entire course, and you’ll face that same cost again every time you want to update your project or try something new.
By learning to script yourself, you eliminate those expenses entirely. You’ll be able to prototype ideas, add features, and make improvements on your own schedule, without waiting for anyone else or paying extra for every small change.
If you still choose to hire a developer in the future, understanding code will make you a better collaborator. You’ll be able to explain your ideas clearly, understand what’s being built, and evaluate the work with confidence, ensuring you get the results you want.
And once you understand scripting, you’ll also be able to use AI tools far more effectively, turning them into real time-savers instead of guesswork generators. That means faster development, fewer mistakes, and complete control over your creative process.
The upfront cost is small, but the long-term payoff is enormous. What you learn here will save you thousands in developer fees over the years ahead.
One course. Lifetime value.
The Complete Beginner’s Guide To HISE Scripting
HISE Scripting Foundations gives you the solid grounding you need to write scripts with confidence and purpose.
You’ll Learn How to Think Like a Developer
This course shows you how to reason through problems, understand programming logic, and see cause and effect inside your scripts.
Gain Confidence Through Hands On Practice
Each concept builds on the last. You’ll learn one idea, apply it right away in a small project, and strengthen it through practice. No overwhelm, no wasted effort, just steady, structured progress.
How It Compares to Other Platforms
If you’ve used scripting with other platforms like Kontakt or Falcon, this course will show you how a modern system works differently. You’ll see where the two overlap, where HISE’s scripting language is more powerful, and how to translate what you already know into a faster, cleaner workflow.
It’s Built on Real-World Experience
Everything taught in this course comes from years of building professional plugins and sample libraries, not from theory or guesswork. You’ll be learning the same principles and practices used in real commercial development every day.
This course focuses on understanding, not imitation. You’ll learn how scripting actually works so you can write clean, reliable code that does what you want.
Code, Build, Reflect: A Learning Framework for Success
Learning to script isn’t about memorising commands, it’s about understanding how code works and why it behaves the way it does. That’s why this course follows a structured learning system designed specifically for creative developers.
By the end of the course, you’ll not only know how to write code, you’ll think like a developer and understand how to keep improving long after the lessons end.
1. Code: Learn the Concept Clearly
Every new topic starts small and focused. You’ll see exactly how a concept works through simple, direct examples with no unnecessary jargon and no filler. You’ll understand what each line of code does before moving on to anything more complex.
2. Build: Apply It Immediately
Once you’ve seen the idea in action, you’ll use it right away. Each section includes a short, practical project. Organising related ideas into manageable chunks will reinforce your understanding and develop the confidence to adapt what you’ve learned to your own projects.
3. Reflect: Lock It In
Learning doesn’t stick until you’ve had a chance to test it. That’s where the reflection phase comes in, with quick quizzes, cheat sheets, and hands-on drills designed to help you recall, apply, and troubleshoot what you’ve just learned.
Here’s What You Get
Module 1
The Fundamentals
Explore the core ideas of coding and how they apply to HISE projects, including simple skills like keeping track of information and working with text and numbers. Discover how to make your scripts respond when users interact with your plugin’s interface.
Module 2
Reusable Code & Decision Making
You’ll learn how to make your scripts easier to manage by grouping repeated actions into simple, reusable blocks. Discover how to add rules that let your script make choices and adapt to different conditions.
Module 3
Automating Repetitive Tasks
You’ll learn how to save time and reduce effort by letting your scripts handle repeated actions for you. If your script needs to do something more than once, you can tell it to repeat the steps, without rewriting the same code over and over.
Module 4
Core Data Structures
You’ll learn how to keep track of complex information in your scripts. See how to store and manage data in different ways, and how to search and group it so that it can be used effectively.
Module 5
Interacting with MIDI and Modules
You’ll learn how to make your scripts respond to incoming MIDI signals from a DAW or MIDI controller. Discover how to interact with modules through scripting. Build on what you’ve learned so far to simplify your workflow and control multiple modules with a single action.
Who This Course Isn’t For
- Complete beginners to HISE who haven’t finished the Bootcamp.
This course assumes you already understand the HISE interface, no-code workflow, and compiling. - People expecting instant, copy-and-paste results.
The course teaches how to think in code, not just follow recipes. - Students looking for a quick crash course.
It’s structured, methodical, and intended for gradual understanding and practice. - Those who dislike learning by doing.
Each module involves hands-on exercises and writing code. - Developers only interested in GUI design or graphics.
This course focuses on scripting logic and interactivity, not interface artwork or layout design. - Students who expect real-time audio processing examples.
The scripting covered here doesn’t handle audio streams or signal processing. - Anyone wanting a platform-agnostic programming course.
The techniques taught are tailored specifically to HISE Script, not to other platforms like JUCE or Kontakt.
Meet Your Instructor
Hello! I’m David Healey.
I help musicians and sound designers turn their ideas into fully working plugins and virtual instruments, even if they’ve never written code before.
Over the past decade, I’ve built dozens of sample libraries and plugins, taught hundreds of creators, and worked behind the scenes with some of the biggest names in the industry.
I created the HISE Scripting Foundations to provide a clear, structured path to mastering the scripting side of HISE, the part that makes your plugins unique.
Through guided lessons and practical projects, you’ll learn to think in code and build the logic that drives professional plugins.
What my students say!
My free HISE Bootcamp has already helped hundreds of students set up HISE and build their first plugins. HISE Scripting Foundations is the natural next step for those ready to start coding.
Here’s what some of my students have said about their learning experience.
What You’ll Learn
The HISE Scripting Foundations course gives you a complete, structured path from writing your first line of code to building fully interactive instruments.
- Understand the fundamentals of coding and how they apply to building plugins in HISE.
- Think logically and systematically when approaching problems or designing plugin behaviour.
- Store and manage data within scripts to keep track of values, states, and user input.
- Write conditional logic that allows plugins to make decisions and respond intelligently.
- Create and organise functions to structure code efficiently and avoid repetition.
- Connect interface controls to modules through event-driven programming.
- Work confidently inside the HISE scripting environment, including its editor and console.
- Debug and troubleshoot scripts using HISE’s built-in tools and structured problem-solving methods.
- Follow good coding practices that make scripts readable, reusable, and easy to maintain.
- Build functional, interactive plugins that go beyond in-built scripts and demonstrate real creative control.
A Few Questions You Might Have
I’m not a programmer. Can I learn to code?
Yes, you are exactly who this course is for. Every lesson is explained in plain language, with clear examples you can follow at your own pace.
I’ve read through the HISE documentation, but can I use it to learn scripting?
The documentation is a great reference once you know what you want to look-up, but it isn’t built to teach you how to script. This course bridges the gap and provides a clear, practical roadmap.
Can’t AI write scripts for me?
AI is a powerful tool once you already know the basics of scripting, but it’s not a substitute for knowledge and experience. You’ll often spend more time trying to get AI to produce a simple working script than it would take to learn those foundations yourself. Once you do, AI becomes a helpful companion rather than a crutch, saving time instead of wasting it.
Will this still be relevant for future HISE versions?
Yes. The syntax and principles you learn here apply to every version of HISE. The foundations don’t change.
What if I get stuck?
You’ll have access to the Audio Dev School Discord community, the HISE forum, and you can contact me directly, so help is always available when you need it.
Why pay for this when there’s free information online?
Free information is scattered, inconsistent, and often out of date. This course gives you a complete, structured learning path that builds logically from one step to the next.
Start Your HISE Scripting Journey Today
Here’s everything you get:
Lifetime access to HISE Scripting Foundations
Regular Price $199
A complete, structured path to mastering HISE scripting
Complete project files, cheat sheets, and guidance notes
Estimated value $39
Save hours of trial and error with ready-to-use resources you can reference while coding.
Quizzes and training drills
Estimated value $39
Reinforce what you’ve learned and test your understanding with guided exercises and instant feedback.
An invite to the private AudioDevSchool Discord Community
Estimated value $69
Get help when you need it, share progress, and connect with other developers learning alongside you.
Total Value: $346
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
If you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase, just let me know and I’ll give you a full refund, no questions asked.
Frequently asked questions
What will I be able to do after completing the course
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to write and understand real HISE Script code. You’ll know how to connect interface controls to modules, respond to MIDI input, use logic and loops to create custom behaviours, and make your instruments dynamic and interactive instead of static.
Do I need any previous programming experience to take this course?
Not at all. This course starts right at the beginning. If you’ve never written a line of code before, you’ll be guided through everything step by step. If you already have some coding experience in another language, you’ll quickly learn how those same principles apply in HISE.
What kind of projects will I build during the course?
You’ll create four progressively more advanced projects, starting with a simple calculator and ending with a playable synth that includes presets and randomisation. Each project builds on what you’ve learned so far, so you’ll always be applying your new skills in a practical way.
The projects in the course are designed as learning exercises, they are not intended as end-points for final plugins.
How is this course different from the HISE Bootcamp?
The HISE Bootcamp is a no-code introduction that shows you how to build instruments using HISE’s visual tools. The HISE Scripting Foundations goes deeper, and is focused on learning how to use HISE’s scripting language.
Will I learn to create fully functional plugins by the end of this course?
This course is about learning how scripting works, it’s not a roadmap or template for creating specific plugins. The projects we’ll create are focused exercises designed to teach you specific skills that apply to all HISE projects.
By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation in scripting and the confidence to start applying those skills to your own plugin ideas.
Does the course cover real-world examples I can use in my own plugins?
The lessons draw on real scenarios like reacting to user input, controlling module parameters, or processing MIDI data. The examples are simplified so you can learn the core ideas clearly, but everything you learn can later be adapted to your own projects.
What programming concepts does the course teach besides HISE-specific topics?
You’ll learn essential coding concepts such as variables, functions, logic, loops, arrays, and objects. These are universal programming tools that apply far beyond HISE, giving you a solid foundation for more advanced scripting or even other languages later on.
Can I go through the lessons at my own pace?
Yes. There’s no schedule or deadline, you can start any time and progress at your own speed.
You get lifetime access, including any future updates or additional resources added to the course.
Do I need to install or compile HISE before starting?
Yes. You should already have HISE installed and be comfortable compiling it from source, as well as exporting plugins. If you’re not there yet, start with the free HISE Bootcamp course first, it covers everything you need to get HISE set up and ready for scripting. Once you’ve completed that, you’ll be fully prepared to begin this course.
Are there downloadable resources included?
The modules include downloadable files, example projects, cheat sheets, and practice exercises, so you can experiment on your own and revisit key topics any time.
What language are the videos?
The audio of the videos is English.
Auto-generated subtitles are included in the following languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish.
If you would like subtitles in another language please let me know and I’ll see what I can do.
What kind of support do I get if I get stuck or don’t understand something?
You can post questions under each lesson or in the course Q&A area. I personally answer student questions, and you’ll also benefit from discussions with other learners who’ve faced the same challenges.
You’ll have access to the Audio Dev School Discord community, a space where students share code, ideas, and feedback on their projects.
Got more questions?
If you have any questions about the course or want to know if it’s a good fit for you, feel free to reach out.
Just send an email to david@audiodevschool.com and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
