This paper describes a new rapid development environment for digital audio applications and computer instruments, AIDE (Audio Instrument Development Environment). The system is designed to help users build signal processing applications for use in music, multimedia and sound design. Based on a graphical patching principle, this system generates software using the V and Sound Object libraries. These provide the graphical interface/application framework and sound processing elements, respectively, for standalone programmes generated by AIDE. It is envisaged that the system will also generate application components in addition to stand-alone programs. The paper outlines in some detail the elements involved in the software. It discusses how the system is aimed at different types of users with different levels of interaction. The paper concludes with an overview of the typical application development cycle using the system.