tempo
Output numbers at a metronomic tempo
Description
Produces metronomic output controllable in beats per minute, and with specifiable whole-note divisions.
Arguments
tempo[int or float]
optional
The first argument sets an initial tempo, from 5 to 300 beats per minute. If there is no argument, the initial tempo is 120 beats per minute. The second argument is the beat multiplier and is set to 1 by default. The third argument sets an initial rhythmic value of the output, from a whole note ( 1 ) to a 64th note triplet ( 96 ). If the argument is not present, the initial value is 16 .
Attributes
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]
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
bang
int
Converted to float .
- input
[int]
float
In left inlet: If the number is not 0, it has the same effect as bang. If the number is 0, it has the same effect as stop.
In 2nd inlet: The number is stored as the tempo, in beats per minute (quarter notes per minute).
In 3rd inlet: The number is a beat multiplier, which can lengthen the amount of time taken for one beat. It slows the tempo down by a factor. For example, a multiplier of 2 will make tempo send out its output half as fast.
In right inlet: The number is the rhythmic value sent out by tempo, specified as a fraction of a whole note. For example, the number 8 causes tempo to output eighth notes, relative to the specified (quarter note) tempo. The numbers sent out the outlet cycle continuously between 0 and the number 1 less than the rhythmic value. The divisions of a whole note must be between 1 and 96.
- input
[float]
clock
The word clock , followed by the name of an existing setclock object, sets the tempo object to be controlled by that setclock object rather than by Max’s internal millisecond clock. The word clock by itself sets the tempo object back to using Max’s regular millisecond clock.
- name
[symbol]
stop
In left inlet: Stops tempo.
tempo
In left inlet: The word tempo , followed by a float, sets the current tempo to the number.
- tempo
[list]
Output
int
When tempo is started it outputs numbers in a continuous cycle from 0 to the number 1 less than the specified rhythmic value. The speed at which the numbers are sent out is determined by the tempo (quarter note beats per minute) and the rhythmic value of the output (fraction of a whole note).
See Also
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| clocker | Report elapsed time, at regular intervals |
| metro | Output a bang message at regular intervals |
| setclock | Create and control an alternative clock |