Improvements/Wishes for the patcher

keyman 2016-03-11 13:32:54 UTC #122

Allow *.axs *.axb to show up in favorites??

thetechnobear 2016-03-11 15:05:41 UTC #123

Ive an idea for favourites, when I get around to the browser

toneburst 2016-03-13 18:55:33 UTC #124

The ability to to set range and step-size of custom object Parameters (as you can with Attributes) would be great. I know it's possible to post-process parameter values in the object itself, but It would be nice not to have to do that, and also (more importantly), it would be great if the values on the control matched the values used internally (though I'm aware this is only an issue within the Patcher itself, but still...).

a|x

johannes 2016-03-13 21:49:12 UTC #125

What are the use-cases for step-size? What 'd be the expected behavior when such parameter is mapped to a midi CC?

One "difficult case" is BPM controls, people often use a "round" bpm number, below 40 does not make much sense but an upper limit of 40+127 (when increments are mapped to midi CC increments) would be 167 bpm, too low as an upper limit.

Avoiding parameter re-computations in dsp code is certainly a goal, and frequently used, but currently not very flexible or documented well. Also UI (unit) values are not flexible in object configuration.

There are multiple things that I consider refactoring about parameters, sub-ranging for midi-mapping, inlet-parameter duality, user-selectable ranges, but these changes needs a lot of care, potentially conflicting requirements etc. First priority is going from the current 'test' releases back to a stable mainstream release...

anon5189335 2016-03-13 21:59:38 UTC #126

An object that has the option to show tekst instead of just values.

Something like Reaktors List object:

Maybe a version with drop down menu:

toneburst 2016-03-13 22:17:53 UTC #127

I guess the argument there is that since the Axolotl doesn't have a screen, such a feature is only really of use within the Patcher application. That's not the case with Reaktor, since a Reaktor Ensemble or Instrument can have whatever GUI you choose, so the need for a wide variety of control interfaces is stronger.

a|x

toneburst 2016-03-13 23:23:34 UTC #128

Thanks for your thoughtful reply, johannes.

I mentioned this with a specific use-case in mind, in fact. As you know, I've been working on my first custom Axolotl Object. I'm very pleased to have got it working, but I'd like to extent it in two specific ways:

I'd like to set a pattern-length, as a Parameter, rather than an Attribute, and
I'd like to set a step-offset value, again as a teatime-tweakable Parameter

In both cases, it would be useful to have the controls actually show integer values in a particular range (2 to 128, and 0 to 128, respectively). It just feels weird to me to have some arbitrary number displayed on the UI element in this case. BPM, as you mention, is another case in point.

a|x

johannes 2016-03-13 23:50:47 UTC #129

oh but integer parameters are implemented

in XML:

   <params>
      <int32 name="value">
         <MinValue i="0"/>
         <MaxValue i="16"/>
      </int32>
   </params>

This does not handle situations where one parameter range depends on another, like limiting step-offset to be less than the parameter length. That 'd be tricky to implement...

toneburst 2016-03-14 07:33:47 UTC #130

Oh, my bad. I didn't realise that. Is it possible to set a default, too?

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toneburst 2016-03-14 09:39:37 UTC #131

I think the only sensible way to do this, from a user's point of view, is for the whole range of the CC (0-127) to map to the whole range of the control (whatever it is). I realise this will mean some conversion will have to be carried out.

a|x

anon5189335 2016-03-14 16:26:03 UTC #132

Yes true. But I still think it would be a nice object to have. I use Axoloti with the patcher running most of the time. I think a lot of people do. I havent really used mine in stand alone mode yet, always connected to a computer. So for me it would be very valuable.

But yeah, there are objects that I would consider more important and more fun to have

toneburst 2016-03-17 08:34:34 UTC #133

How about some kind of indication of a percentage of Axoloti processor resources each object will use?

a|x

johannes 2016-03-17 10:28:32 UTC #134

Not so easy, this can depend on context (leaving certain inlets/outlets unconnected can lower the load), and object settings (for example polyphony).

toneburst 2016-03-17 12:36:38 UTC #135

Understood. Maybe just some simple graphic device or colour to indicate more/less processor-heavy objects...

a|x

philoop 2016-03-17 15:43:43 UTC #136

it would be good if the console would say how much
sram is still free, thats should be easier..

toneburst 2016-03-17 16:57:02 UTC #137

This could be an object that just sends the index of the selected item as an integer from its outlet.
I guess typically, you'd connect one of these to a Multiplexer or Demultiplexer object.

a|x

toneburst 2016-03-17 17:01:33 UTC #138

How about Nord Modular-style 'Morph Groups' that could control a number of different parameters at the same time, with per-parameter ranges.

This may already be possible. If so, I'd love to know how.

Alternatively (and this would be more flexible), a way of morphing between whole presets. I realise this is probably too ambitious, given the hardware limitations, but it would be very cool if it were possible, and would open up all kinds of expressive possibilities...

a|x

computertablelamp 2016-03-27 18:02:41 UTC #139

More randomization, the one thing I loved from the Nord Modular was patch mutations. Allowing you discover sounds in your own patches you might otherwise never make, maybe to make it easy you could exclude knobs that are already in a preset? similar to how the Nord lets you exclude selected objects from mutation. This way you can keep things like gain from randomizing to a high number and shredding your ears.

toneburst 2016-03-27 18:23:57 UTC #140

+1 for that.

Mutation and Randomisation could just operate in the patcher, so there wouldn't be any hardware overhead for the Axoloti Core.

You'd Randomise or Mutate, then save to a preset, I guess.

a|x

anon5189335 2016-03-27 18:26:16 UTC #141

Yeah. I use the patch mutation s lot on G2 too

+1 from here