Please read:
As Pure Data patches are generally hard to survey, it is for the best to include some background informations to the patch.
The patch consists of 3 windows:
The read_joystick.pd window uses the hid-object by Hans-Christoph Steiner to connect with the joystick. To start it, one has to send the message "open" followed by VendorId and ProductId in Hex to the hid-object and activate the toggle switch.
The main joystick_instrument.pd window contains the assignment of the joystick output to certain send/reveive channels, which is not visible in the video. However, they are named in a manner which should make it easier to deduce, which joystick function controls which parameter. For example, the receive [r up_bang] send the a bang, whenever the up direction of the hat switch is pressed. The joystick_instrument window also contains the logic patching for the carrier frequency in the upper left corner. In the upper right, the envelope parameters and their respective [sends] can be found.
In the middle of the window you can finde three similar structures, which are called eins, zwei and drei (German for one, two, three).
They all share the thrust value (a.k.a throttle) as input as well as the carrier frequency times an integer multiple (4,5,6, in the red box).
They all share the same envelope losing which is governed by the aforementioned envelope parameters. Another notable thing are the inputs and outputs on the signal level ([r~ eins_in], [r~ eins_out], etc. ). These allow for quick patching within the mod_matrix window.
On the bottom of this window, the final signal from the mod_matrix subpath is send to the final carrier oscillator, which also has an envelope.
The output of this oscillator is sent to the dac~ of the patch.
In the mod_matrix window, the buttons 3 and 5 ([r left_down], [r left_up]), 4 and 6 ([r right_down], [r right_up]) as well as 0 ([r thumbtrig]) control the patching. Buttons 4 and 6 govern the connections from the modulators to the carrier (all modulators in parallel) and iterate through the different possible permutations, while the other three control the cascadation of modulators. With Buttons 3 and 5 a connection in selected, which is opened or closed by pressing 0.
Hopefully in the future a more intuitive control architecture can be developed, however this one suffices for now, as it allows for quick patching without having to let go of the instrument.
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This project has been on my mind for quite some time, and has existed in different stages. Giving old and dusty objects a new purpose is an inspirational practice, and the possibility of always being able to rewrite a patch for a different task is exciting.
A similar project, in which the joystick dimensions are sent via MIDI using Pure Data to control plugin instruments in a DAW is going to be loaded soon.
The accompanying Github page for this project will be uploaded to this description in a few days.
Thank you for watching the video, feedback is always appreciated. If you have suggestions, please write them in the comments or send me a DM on instagram:
/ yamitarek
29 сен 2024
