Package MSP

delay~

Delay a signal

Description

Use the delay~ object to delay a signal by a certain amount of time. The delay time can be specified in samples (determined by the sampling rate), or using the Max time format syntax for tempo-relative values.

Discussion

The differences between delay~ and tapin~ / tapout~ are as follows: First, delay times with delay~ are specified in terms of samples rather than milliseconds, so they will change duration if the sampling rate changes. Second, the delay~ object can reliably delay a signal a number of samples that is less than a vector size. Finally, unlike tapin~ and tapout~, you cannot feed the output of delay~ back to its input. If you wish to use feedback with short delays, consider using the comb~ object. Note: While the delay~ object lets you specify time in any of Max's standard time formats, the interval attribute argument should be used when specifying time in any other time unit besides milliseconds or notevalues (e.g. delay 22050 @interval 11025 samples ).

If notevalue, ticks, or bars.beats.units are specified for the delay interval, the object will not operate unless the transport is running.

Arguments

maximum-delay-memory[int]samples
optional

Set maximum delay time in samples. This determines the amount of memory allocated for the delay line.

initial-delay-time[list]time-value
optional

Set the initial delay time. The delay time can be either a number which specifies time in samples (e.g. delay~ 44100 200) or a notevalue (e.g. delay~ 2000 2n).

ramp-time[int]time-value
optional

Set the delay ramp time, in milliseconds. If the delay time is controlled using a float rather than a signal value, the delay time will be crossfaded.

Attributes

delay[Time Value]

Delay time

Common Box Attributes

Below is a list of attributes shared by all objects. If you want to change one of these attributes for an object based on the object box, you need to place the word sendbox in front of the attribute name, or use the object's Inspector.

annotation[symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in the Clue window when the user moves the mouse over the object.

background[int]: 0

Adds or removes the object from the patcher's background layer. background 1 adds the object to the background layer, background 0 removes it. Objects in the background layer are shown behind all objects in the default foreground layer.

color[4 floats]

Sets the color for the object box outline.

fontface[int]

Sets the type style used by the object. The options are:

plain
bold
italic
bold italic Possible values:

0 = 'regular'
1 = 'bold'
2 = 'italic'
3 = 'bold italic'

fontname[symbol]

Sets the object's font.

fontsize[float]

Sets the object's font size (in points). Possible values:

'8'
'9'
'10'
'11'
'12'
'13'
'14'
'16'
'18'
'20'
'24'
'30'
'36'
'48'
'64'
'72'

hidden[int]: 0

Toggles whether an object is hidden when the patcher is locked.

hint[symbol]

Sets the text that will be displayed in as a pop-up hint when the user moves the mouse over the object in a locked patcher.

ignoreclick[int]: 0

Toggles whether an object ignores mouse clicks in a locked patcher.

jspainterfile[symbol]

You can override the default appearance of a user interface object by assigning a JavaScript file with code for painting the object. The file must be in the search path.

patching_rect[4 floats]: 0. 0. 100. 0.

Sets the position and size of the object in the patcher window.

position[2 floats]
write-only

Sets the object's x and y position in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its size unchanged.

presentation[int]: 0

Sets whether an object belongs to the patcher's presentation.

presentation_rect[4 floats]: 0. 0. 0. 0.

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in the patcher's presentation, leaving its patching position unchanged.

rect[4 floats]
write-only

Sets the x and y position and width and height of the object in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation).

size[2 floats]
write-only

Sets the object's width and height in both patching and presentation modes (if the object belongs to its patcher's presentation), leaving its position unchanged.

textcolor[4 floats]

Sets the color for the object's text in RGBA format.

textjustification[int]

Sets the justification for the object's text. Possible values:

0 = 'left'
1 = 'center'
2 = 'right'

varname[symbol]

Sets the patcher's scripting name, which can be used to address the object by name in pattr, scripting messages to thispatcher, and the js object.

Messages

int

In right inlet: set delay time. The delay time cannot be less than 0 (no delay) nor can it be greater than the maximum delay time.

Arguments:
  • delay-time [int]

float

Set delay time (converted to int)

Arguments:
  • delay-time [float]

list

Set delay time in a Max time format.

Arguments:
  • time/transport-settings [list]

anything

Set delay time in a Max time format.

Arguments:
  • time/transport-settings [list]

clear

Zero the delay memory

maxsize

Set maximum delay time

Arguments:
  • maximum-delay-memory [int]

ramp

Set the time to ramp to a new delay time

Arguments:
  • ramp-time [float]

signal

In left inlet: Signal to be delayed.
In right inlet: Set delay time. Signal-based delay uses interpolation, which introduces a one-sample delay.

Output

signal

The output consists of the input delayed by the specified number of samples.

See Also

Name Description
comb~ Apply a comb filter effect
tapin~ Input to a delay line
tapout~ Output from a delay line
mstosamps~ Convert milliseconds to samples
sampstoms~ Convert time from samples to milliseconds
pipe Delay numbers, lists or symbols
transport Control a clock