Second Major TouchOSC update

The dials do work smoother than the XY pads, working on version II that runs off two pages; one main 'Beast Box' page, and the 'Preset' page.

Changes and improvements;

• Bigger buttons for the windows and 
• Data improvements
• Possible Shaper inclusion
• Cheeky AlpineFox plug

The design still mirrors the Beast Box application in terms of the position of the playback options, the mixer and the mods. When the parameters are changed, their respective window comes up on the monitor, for example if the Destroyer window was present on the PC monitor, and the Beast parameter was altered on the mobile device, it would trigger the Beast window to come up on the monitor. Very handy in terms of providing visual feedback.

iPad Control

Was able to get an iPad I off one of my lecturers today, so I've been working to develop a control scheme for it. 
Version 1 has been pretty successful as it references the cross patch material. The button elements work especially well.

Issues with XY control and the multitoggle buttons as they are difficult to judge how to assign the right values.

The testing of data allocation

TouchOSC Success

The interface test across the University's system was successful, the interface is also capable of interacting across a considerable distance, for example across Whitespace or even outside.

Will look into securing a tablet for porting a more functional and intuitive interactive interface.

This will prove a very useful tool/route of development, bringing a hands on approach to the usability of the project.

Also looking ahead, this feature will be very useful for using at the end of year showcase, allowing people without a background knowledge in sound design, to have a hands on approach/interaction with the project.

The Beast Knob as featured on mobile.

Reverse Input

Got the reverse feature working for both the Beast output and bypassed output signal. However, not how I initially wanted it to function. Another dial had to be created and implemented that did the same thing, but instead it has a negative integer base;

The two dials however provide added functionality in that they can hold different values independent of each other, and also allow for quick real-time flip flopping between normal and reversed. A tab background also indicates which one is active, in addition to the mode indicator.

Debugging

Continuing the debugging of the segmented additions. The segmented layout that takes advantage of the bpatcher object brings a lot of positives. When it comes to repositioning objects concerning design and layout, it separates a sea of objects into a collection of more manageable chunks.  
I have had another attempt of reversing the input sample, this time with some partial success, however it only works only for the bypass sample through multiple instances of the selector~ object. 

Segmented Proof of Concept

The segmented concept works as a means to offer a variety of different options that can be displayed and hidden at any one time.
It involves referencing other patches, and my first use of the send and return objects to communicate data across patches.

The bpatcher as it appears in its own patch;

Prototype 5.1

More comprehensive help has been included along with a CPU meter, and driver selection tools that optimise the executable's functionality.

A resource that offers additional design options and concepts for making Max Executables available from; 

http://cycling74.com/toolbox/making-a-slick-max-standalone-presentation-from-expo-74-workshop/

Recording Output Integrated

Got the recording output working and integrated in the prototype. Work will need to done to streamline the process, as currently the file needs to be designated first before recording takes place. Using sfrecord~ saves the audio file to disk, instead of the record~ which saves it to a buffer~.  

The shadows have been revisited as I discovered that they can get cool graphic effects in one of the help patchers, especially when you use negative values.

A more comprehensive 'Help' feature has also been implemented briefly summing some of the features in the prototype.

Scaling Update

The scaling finishing touches are almost complete, the purple arrows point out the additional improvements in functionality the scaling has provided.

Arrow I; The XY control interfaces are now more intuitive and easier to use. 

Arrow II; The sample can be seen for reference and modifying the loop selection.

Arrow III; The scaling also allows improvement over the umenu object for selecting presets.

Export Application

With using the appropriate scaling down and the 'open in presentation mode' feature active the patcher can be exported for others to use;

Rescale Progress

The scale of the problem is displayed with the green arrow, for resizing all the features to go into that grey box.

Design Concept Development

Looking a bit fuller, the sample view is very specific to zoom level;

The striped appearance helps to segregate the prototypes features regarding input, process and output.

I have also cracked the executable problem I had, also when I open the patchs, is that I have been working in a zoom of about 30-50% and the default is always 100%, so I will need rescale everything to make it more agreeable. Doing it now will alleviate doing it later with potentially more objects. Will also take care of the sample view problem  

*I have also now discovered how to snap to grid.

Additional Design Concept

Currently working on the UI case studies.
Done a quick concept of another design;

Recording Input

Was a bit of a challenge concerning the naming conventions with the various arguments, but got recording working for the prototype.

Implementing this system allows for sounds to be recorded within the program increasing the functionality of the program.
This would make for a great way to showcase the system at the end of year exposition, allowing for guests to put their own voice into the the prototype and process it. 

Drawing upon the use of the buffer~ switching abilities of groove~.

The updated sample time select for both file and live. Still needs to be smoothed out.

Reverb

A feature implemented out of peer feedback and also out of curiosity, is a bypass-able plate reverb module to the prototype 3.3 under the name 'Chamber' that incorporates the XY pictslider control as executed previously utilised with the 'Morpher' module. While maybe not a necessary component, it is a handy experimental option for sound design. 

The new 'Chamber' module also doesn't drain too much on operating resources.

A personal consideration, drawing upon feedback from semester one considering the prototype as a sound chain, would be the possibility of rewiring the effects units in different orders.

Pitch Feedback

The prototypes progress was picked in the presentation, minor niggles considering functionality due to display. Progress the markers I've spoken about previously such as the record function, the granular element.

The start up delay has now be taken care of. When the prototype fires up for the first time, the bypass and signal selection toggles had to be switched on and off since they didn't output an initial signal on start-up. This was rectified with configuring the toggle an initial output value. This streamlines the prototypes ease of use and functionality. 

The initial value parameter control.

Latest Prototype Features BTB.3

The latest overall look.

                                                               

The refined preset layout for
the 'Beast' module. 

The 'Morpher' module which 
allows for XY sound manipulation 
using the pictslider object.
Currently alters Pitch change and 
peak filter frequency. 

The improved sample select feature that utilises looping using the waveform~ object. This has replaced the previous selection tool that used the rslider, to provide visual context to the loop selection.

Morpher Concept

Ideally taking inspiration of X-Y controllers for parameter control, will investigate if the function will suffice (yellow grid);

Filter Cutting

Low pass and high pass filters have been introduced that feature after the beast module. Level metering has also made an appearance;

Back to basics

The noise generation started to get progressively needy on the CPU with it going from 5+2 to 12+3 with the inclusion of a white and pink noise generators. With this I felt like I was getting distracted and pulled it back to focus on filtering. 

The filtering is better using bandpass filters configured in a cascading manner.

Have also modified groove~ with a rslider to offer a sample selection tool;

Hints have also now been implemented to aid navigation and feature use;