Chapter 1P - Sound synt hesis wi th Max/MSP 1p

In this patch , along with a brief recap of objects that we have already pre-
sented, we f ind two algor ithms t hat generate g lissandi. By con necting a line-
to an oscillato r, it becomes possible to vary the frequency of th at oscillator
cont inuously .

Act ivate t he patch w ith a click on "startwindow " , and listen to the f irst
glissando by raising t he gain - fader, clicking on t he · 7' message connected
to selector- , and final ly on the message box con nected to t he f irst line- .
The number- object permi ts you to see how the frequency is changing: it
departs from 220 Hz and arrives at 440 Hz in 5 seconds, as an ascending
glissando, aft er wh ich the pitch descends to 110 Hz over 3 seconds, whe re it
rests "forever" . Or at least as long as we don't click on the message box con-
nected to line- again (and hear once again t he same sequence of ascending
and descending glissandi), or click o n t he 'O' message that is connected to
selector- (t hereby telling th e object to stop passing any signal thro ugh), or
perhaps click on "stop" .
By dropp ing into edit mode and modifying the message, it is possible to imple-
ment whateve r "frequency routes" you like. Try substitutin g, for example, these
lists, or others of your ow n invention:

"2000, 1500 3000 80 100 440 5000"

"880 , 880 3000 110 1000"

The second of t hese departs fr om 880 Hz and then "a rrives" at 880 Hz aft er 3
seconds. What does this mean? It is a way that we can dictate t hat pitch w ill stay
still for 3 seconds, since the pitch fo r departure matches that for arrival.

Try implementi ng the followi ng route: leave from 400 Hz, arrive at 500 Hz after
1 second, then descend to 300 Hz in 0.1 seconds, rest at 300 Hz for 4 seconds,
and then climb to 1000 Hz over 0. 5 seconds.

The second algo rithm in t he patch impleme nts simu ltaneous glissandi using
two oscillators. We have connected a bu tt on to two message boxes, each
of which specifies how to prod uce a glissando o n one of the two l ine -
objects . As we know, when we click on the button , it w ill produce a bang,
which in th is case, w ill be sent to the two message boxes, w hich w ill then
send th eir messages at the same time. Af ter selecting message '2', con nected
to selector- , click on the button and hear t he two glissandi, which
depart from the frequency 220 Hz and separate, one heading for 440 Hz
and t he o ther fo r 880 Hz (with diff erent arrival times). After t hey arrive, both
oscillators dro p to 110 Hz.

As you see, the line- object has a second outlet on its right, fro m which a bang
emerges when it has fi nished executing its commands. If we connect th is out let
back to the button that sends the messagesto the two line - objects in the
right part of t he patch in figur e 1.33, we w ill obta in a glissando t hat repeats itself
periodically. (See fi gure 1.34 : to kick off the loop, you need to click at least one
t ime on the button. )
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