mc.gen
Generate native audio event processing routines (multichannel)
Description
The gen object turns an embedded Gen patcher into event processing routines analagous to what the gen~ object does for audio signals. The Gen patcher can be built from a wide set of low-level Gen operator objects as well as embedded code expressions.
Arguments
patcher-name[symbol]
optional
The first argument, if given, specifies the name of a .gendsp patcher to be loaded which already exists and is in the Max search path. The patcher can also be specified using the gen attribute. If no Gen patcher is specified by argument or gen attribute, an embedded Gen patcher is created instead.
Attributes
active[int]: 0
The gen object contains an internal metro controlled by the active and interval attributes. When you change @interval the sample rate is updated (and currently the patch is recompiled); for an interval of 250 the sample rate is 4 samples per second. This permits oscillators etc. to work at any resolution in the event domain.
autoexport[int]: 1
Automaticall export code on edit. Equivalent to sending the exportcode message every time an edit is made.
cpu[float]
read-only
Reports cpu usage as a fraction of available compute time, if cpumeasure is enabled.
cpumeasure[int]: 0
CPU monitoring must be enabled for cpu to work.
dumpoutlet[int]: 0
Enables an additional "dump" outlet for diagnostics, such as reading the cpu attribute.
exportfolder[symbol]:
Folder to export code into. Used by the exportcode message to determine what directory to write source files into.
exportname[symbol]:
Export Filename
exportnotifier[symbol]:
Receive object name to receive export notification
exportscript[symbol]:
Post export script
exportscriptargs[symbol]:
Post export script arguments
gen[symbol]:
Gen patcher name to load from disk
hot[int]: 0
Any inlet will trigger output when >hot is on. Otherwise the standard behavior of only the left inlet triggering output will be used.
interval[float]: 5.
The gen object contains an internal metro controlled by the active and interval attributes. When you change @interval the sample rate is updated (and currently the patch is recompiled); for an interval of 250 the sample rate is 4 samples per second. This permits oscillators etc. to work at any resolution in the event domain.
nocache[int]: 0
The nocache attribute, with an argument of 1, recompiles the Gen patcher regardless of whether another instance of Gen has already compiled it. When set to 0 (default), Gen caches previous compiles to save on load time.
poll[int]: 0
Enable attribute polling
title[symbol]
Set patcher title.
Multichannel Group Attributes
chans[int]
The chans attribute sets the number of channels and instances in the MC wrapper object. To define a fixed number of channels regardless of what is connected to the object, set chans via a typed-in argument, for example typing mc.cycle~ @chans 100 would create 100 instances of a cycle~ object inside the MC wrapper. If chans is 0, the wrapper object will auto-adapt to the number of channels in its input multichannel signals (using the maximum of all connected signals). If an object does not have any multichannel signals connected to its inlets, the chans attribute will need to have a non-zero value if you want more than one instance.
If chans is changed while the audio is on, the number of instances will not change until audio is restarted. However, if chans is reduced while the audio is on, any extra channels will no longer process audio and will output a zero signal.
initialvalues[list]
The initialvalues attribute only applies to object creation time so it must be set via a typed-in argument. initialvalues sets the first (and only the first) initial argument for successive instances in the MC wrapper. For example, typing mc.cycle~ @chans 4 @initialvalues 50 60 70 80 would assign an initial frequency to the cycle~ instances inside the wrapper. The first instance would be assigned a frequency of 50, the second a frequency of 60, the third 70, and the fourth 80. Note that initialvalues does not determine the actual instance count; this can be done using the chans attribute. If there are more instances than elements for the initialvalues attribute, those instances are instantiated with the default value.
To set a default value of an argument for all instances, type it as an argument before any typed-in attributes. For example, modifying our example above: mc.cycle~ 100 @chans 10 @initialvalues 50 60 70 80 . In this example, the first four instances are set as before, but the next six are created with a frequency argument of 100.
To change instance values or attributes after the wrapper object has been created, use the setvalue , applyvalues , or replicatevalues messages.
values[list]
You can use values as an alternate name for the initialvalues attribute.
target[int]
The target attribute sets an index for targeting specific wrapper instances. Subsequent messages are directed to an individual instance instead of all instances. It is strongly recommended you use the more reliable setvalue message instead of the target attribute. The voice index of setvalue will override the current setting of target. When target is 0, incoming messages are sent to all instances. When target is -1, incoming messages do nothing. Note that target only affects messages, not setting attribute values.
usebusymap[int]
When usebusymap is enabled, the MC wrapper controls whether individual instances process audio using a busy map maintained by either an mc.noteallocator~ or mc.voiceallocator~ object. When a channel in the busy map is marked as "free" or "released" no audio processing occurs by any instance on the channel corresponding to the voice index. When usebusymap is disabled, instances in the MC wrapper process audio at all times. This will also be true if usebusymap is enabled and there is no local or named busy map available. (See the busymapname attribute for a description of local and named busy maps). For brevity the name bz can also be used.
zero[int]
When the zero attribute is enabled, channels in the MC wrapper due to the use of a busy map output zero signals. To save a small amount of CPU at the risk of loud and unpleasant noises due to uncleared signal data, you can disable zero. In this case, disabled channels in the MC wrapper do nothing to their output channels. If usebusymap is disabled or there is no active local or named busy map available, the setting of the zero attribute has no effect.
Conveniently, when usebusymap is enabled in mc.mixdown~ object, disabled channels are not mixed to the output. When unused signals from wrapped objects with zero disabled feed into mc.mixdown~, they will be ignored, reducing the risk of unpleasantness getting past the mix output.
busymapname[symbol]
When the usebusymap attribute is enabled, an MC wrapper object uses the local busy map of any mc.voiceallocator~ or mc.noteallocator~ in the same patcher by default. To use a named global busy map instead, set the busymapname attribute to the desired name. For brevity the name @bzname can also be used.
op[symbol]
Sets the function that will be used when the generate message is set. If you use attrui set to edit the op attribute, you can see a handy menu of the 40+ possible functions, so you don't have to memorize their names.
voiceprob[float]
The voiceprob attribute is used when employing the $ or * arguments to the setvalue message. It determines the probability that the setvalue message will be sent. For example, if voiceprob is 0.9, there is a 90% chance the setvalue message will be sent to a randomly chosen voice.
Common Box Attributes
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'
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]
JS Painter File
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
bang
Execute a calculation of the gen patcher or expression.
int
Set input value (if signal is not attached).
- value
[int]
float
Set input value (if signal is not attached).
- value
[float]
(mouse)
Double-click to open the Gen patcher.
exportcode
Export a gen patcher as C++ code.
open
View the Gen patcher.
reload
Reload the Gen patcher.
reset
Reset all parameters to defaults (including history values and buffer object associations).
reset_param
Resets a specific param, history or buffer object to the default initial value.
- name
[symbol]
wclose
Close the view of the Gen patcher.
Multichannel Group Messages
deviate
Generate a random value for each channel around a center value. An optional number after the center value specifies the upper range size so it can be different from the lower range size.
Example: deviate 100 cutoff 1000 will generate random values for the cutoff attribute of the objects in the wrapper centered around 1000 Hz (between 900 and 1100 Hz). deviate 100 1000 200 sends float messages to the objects in the wrapper with random values between 900 and 1200.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- range
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- center-value
[float]
- upper-range
[float]
exponential
The exponential message generates an exponential series. The first argument is N and the second
(optional) argument is K in the following expression:
K * exp(-1 * N * channel) where channel starts at 0 for the first channel.
If the second argument is not present the default value is 1. Example: exponential 1 10 would generate, for four channels, values of 10, 3.678, 1.353, and 0.498. exponential -1 2 would generate 2, 5.437, 14.78, and 40.17.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- exponent
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- multiplier
[float]
scaledexponential
The scaledexponential message generates an exponential series with the exponent scaled by the total number of channels. The first argument is N and the second (optional) argument is K in the following expression:
K * exp(-1 * N * (channel / num_channels) where channel starts at 0 for the first channel.
If the second argument is not present the default value is 1. Example: exponential -1 2 would generate, for six channels, values of 2, 2.363, 2.791, 3.297, 3.895, 4.602. scaledexponential -1 2 for four channels would generate 2, 2.568, 3.297, 4.324. scaledexponential provides a way to keep the range of the exponential series roughly the same independent of the number of channels.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- exponent
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- base
[float]
increment
The increment message generates a range of increasing values for each channel. The range starts at the second argument and increments each channel's value by the first argument. If no message name is provided then a float message is used by default.
Example: increment 5 2 for four channels would generate 2, 7, 12, and 17.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- increment-amount
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- start-value
[float]
harmonic
The harmonic message generates a harmonic series using the second argument as the fundamental
frequency ( F ) and the first argument as a multiplier ( N ) in the following expression:
F * (1 + N * channel) where channel starts at 0 for the first channel.
Example: harmonic 1 440 for five channels would generate 440, 880, 1320, 1760, and 2200. harmonic 0.5 440 for
four channels would generate 440, 660, 880, and 1100.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- multiplier
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- fundamental
[float]
subharmonic
The subharmonic message generates a subharmonic series using the second argument as the fundamental
frequency ( F ) and the first argument as a multiplier ( N ) in the following expression:
F / (1 + N * channel) where channel starts at 0 for the first channel.
Example: subharmonic 1 440 for five channels would generate 440, 220, 146.7, and 110.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- multiplier
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- fundamental
[float]
spread
The spread message generates a range of values distributed to each channel.
The first boundary value is included in the range outputs, but the second boundary value is not (see spreadinclusive , spreadexclusive , and spreadincludesecond for other options).
Example: spread 0 10 for four channels would generate 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- boundary-value
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- other-boundary-value
[float]
spreadinclusive
The spreadinclusive message generates a range of values distributed to each channel.
Both the first and second boundary values are included in the range outputs.
Example: spreadinclusive 0 10 for four channels would generate 0, 3.33, 6.66, and 10.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- boundary-value
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- other-boundary-value
[float]
spreadexclusive
The spreadexclusive message generates a range of values distributed to each channel.
Neither the first and second boundary values are included in the range outputs.
Example: spreadexclusive 0 10 for four channels would generate 2, 4, 6, and 8.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- boundary-value
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- other-boundary-value
[float]
spreadincludefirst
The spreadincludefirst message generates a range of values distributed to each channel. It is the same as the spread message. The first boundary value is included in the range outputs, but the second boundary value is not.
Example: spreadincludefirst 0 10 for four channels would generate 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- boundary-value
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- other-boundary-value
[float]
spreadincludesecond
The spreadincludefirst message generates a range of values distributed to each channel. It is the same as the spread message. The first boundary value is not included in the range outputs, but the second boundary value is included.
Example: spreadincludesecond 0 10 for four channels would generate 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- boundary-value
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- other-boundary-value
[float]
decide
The decide message generates a uniformly distributed random value between 0 and 1 for each channel; if the value is less than the probability value set by the first argument, the second argument is assigned to the channel. If the random value is greater than the probability value, 0 is asigned to the channel. (If a second argument is not present, 1 is used by default.)
Example: decide 0 10 for four channels would generate 0, 0, 0, 0 because the probability of generating a 1 is zero. decide 0.5 10 could generate 10, 0, 0, 10 if the randomly generated values exceeded 0.5 for the first and fourth channels.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- probability
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- value
[float]
randomrange
The randomrange message generates a uniformly distributed random range of values for all channels between the first argument and the second argument.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- low-value
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- high-value
[float]
generate
The generate message runs the function whose name is stored in the op attribute. Arguments passed to generate will be given to the function that is called. Example: if op is set to deviate , generate 50 440 is the same as sending the message deviate 50 440 .
- low-value
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- high-value
[float]
ease.linear
The MC wrapper provides access to the easing functions found in the Ease Package. These are accessed with message names consisting of ease. concatenated with the easing function name. For example, to use the in_out_circular function, send the message ease.in_out_circular .
The ease messages generate an non-linear and inclusive range of values across the space of channels. When you use two number arguments, the first value will be the low end of the range and the second will be the high end of the range. For in_ and in_out_ functions, this means the low end value will be set for the first channel and the high end will be set for the last channel. For out_ function variants, the high end will be set for the first channel and the low end will be set for the last channel.
When the ease messages are supplied with three numerical arguments, the first two specify the range as in the two-argument case, but the third argument, which will be constrained between 0 and 1, defines a mid point. Between the first channel and the channel closest to the mid point, the entire range of the function is applied. Between the mid point and the last channel, the range of the function is applied with the values reversed, creating a mirror image. The mirror image is exact when the third argument is 0.5, otherwise it will be biased toward 0 or 1. With a mid point of 1, the result is the same as if the third argument was not supplied at all. With a mid point of 0, the result is the same as if it was entirely reversed. In other words, it's as if the out_ version of the function were used instead of the in_ version that was originally specified -- or vice versa.
Available messages are: ease.linear , ease.in_back , ease.in_out_back , ease.out_back , ease.in_bounce , ease.in_out_bounce , ease.out_bounce , ease.in_circular , ease.in_out_circular , ease.out_circular , ease.in_cubic , ease.in_out_cubic , ease.out_cubic , ease.in_elastic , ease.in_out_elastic , ease.out_elastic , ease.in_exponential , ease.in_out_exponential , ease.out_exponential , ease.in_quadratic , ease.in_out_quadratic , ease.out_quadratic , ease.in_quartic , ease.in_out_quartic , ease.out_quartic , ease.in_quintic , ease.in_out_quintic , ease.out_quintic , ease.in_sine , ease.in_out_sine , and ease.out_sine . Refer to the Ease Package documentation for details on these functions and demonstrations of their behavior.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- low-value
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- high-value
[float]
- mid-point
[float]
smoothstep
The smoothstep function works analogously to the ease messages to generate an inclusive non-linear range of values, but uses the smoothstep function to generate a non-linear ramp. Refer to the documentation of the ease messages for more information.
If no message name is provided, a float message is used by default.
- low-value
[float]
- message-name
[symbol]
- high-value
[float]
- mid-point
[float]
setvalue
The word setvalue , followed by both a channel index (starting at 1) and any message that can be sent to the wrapped object, sends the message to an individual instance within the MC wrapper. setvalue 0 , followed by a message, sends the message to all instances. The setvalue message can be used in any inlet.
Instead of a number, the setvalue message can also take a symbol indicating that the target channel index should be randomly chosen:
- setvalue * will choose a channel randomly but avoid duplicate choices until all channels have been chosen (similar to the Max urn object). Before chosing a channel, * will also decide whether to send the message according to the current value of the voiceprob attribute. If voiceprob is 0.1, there is a 10% chance of sending the message. If voiceprob is 0.9, there is a 90% chance of sending the message.
- setvalue + will choose a channel randomly but avoid duplicate choices until all channels have been chosen (similar to the Max urn object). Unlike * it will always send the message.
- setvalue $ will choose a channel randomly (similar to the Max random object). Before chosing a channel, $ will also decide whether to send the message according to the current value of the voiceprob attribute. If voiceprob is 0.1, there is a 10% chance of sending the message. If voiceprob is 0.9, there is a 90% chance of sending the message.
- setvalue # will choose a channel randomly (similar to the Max random object). Unlike $ it will always send the message.
- channel
[int]
- message
[symbol]
- message arguments
[list]
setvaluerange
The word setvaluerange , followed by a low and high channel index (starting at 1) and any message that can be sent to the wrapped object, sends the message to the specified range of channels.
Example: setvaluerange 1 4 50 , sends the message 50 to channels 1 - 4. If the second argument is -1, the message is sent to all subsequent channels. For example, setvaluerange 2 -1 50 sends the message 50 to all channels between 2 and the current number of voices.
Note: the random channel selection feature using * , + , $ , and # does not work with the setvaluerange message.
- low channel
[int]
- high channel
[int]
- message
[symbol]
- message arguments
[list]
applymessages
The word applymessages , followed by one or more numbers and/or symbols, sends individual messages successively to instances in the MC wrapper, starting with the first instance. For example, the message applymessages 0 bang will send the '0' message to the first instance, and the 'bang' message to the second instance. If there are more instances than arguments to applymessages , the extra instances are unaffected.
- messages
[list]
applyvalues
The word applyvalues , followed by an optional message name and one or more message arguments, sends individual values in the arguments successively to instances in the MC wrapper, starting with the first instance. For example, the message applyvalues 4 5 6 will send 4 to the first instance, 5 to the second instance, and 6 to the third instance. If there are more instances than arguments to applyvalues , the extra instances are unaffected.
- message-name
[symbol]
- values
[list]
replicatevalues
The word replicatevalues , followed by an optional message name and one or more message arguments, sends individual values in the arguments successively to instances in the MC wrapper, starting with the first instance. Unlike applyvalues , the replicatevalues message continues sending values to successive instances, restarting with the first element, if it runs out of arguments to send. For example, replicatevalues 4 5 to an MC wrapper object with three instances will send 4 to the first instance, 5 to the second instance, and 4 to the third instance.
- message-name
[symbol]
- values
[list]
applynvalues
Whereas applyvalues can only set one value, the message applynvalues permits sending a message or setting an attribute with multiple values to instances in the MC wrapper, starting with the first instance. This is helpful for messages that require multiple values, such as the list message to wave~ to set start/end points. The message syntax is [applynvalues N value1, value2 etc.] where N is the number of values to set for each instance. For example, the message applynvalues 2 500 600 900 1000 will send 500 600 to the first instance and 900 1000 to the second instance. If there are more instances than specified in applynvalues , the extra instances are unaffected.
- message
[int]
- values
[list]
replicatenvalues
Whereas replicatevalues can only set one value, the message replicatenvalues permits sending a message or setting an attribute with multiple values to instances in the MC wrapper, starting with the first instance. This is helpful for messages that require multiple values, such as the list message to wave~ to set start/end points. The message syntax is [replicatenvalues N value1, value2 etc.] where N is the number of values to set for each instance. Unlike applynvalues , the replicatenvalues message continues sending values to successive instances, restarting with the first group, if it runs out of arguments to send. For example, replicatenvalues 2 500 600 900 1000 to an MC wrapper object with three instances will send 500 600 to the first instance, 900 1000 to the second instance, and 500 600 to the third instance.
- message
[int]
- values
[list]
See Also
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Gen Common Operators | Gen Common Operators |
| Gen Overview | Gen Overview |
| gen~ Operators | gen~ Operators |
| gen~ | Generate native audio signal processing routines |