youcloudsofdoom

SO, I am making a generative system that involves multiple sfplay~/sflist~ combos, each playing a random sample from embedded sflist~ cues. These are selected at random from sfplay~ bang out into a [random] that then selects the cue number to play next.

The issue is that the samples are all in sync with each other (they are various synchronised percussion sounds etc), and I need a way to make sure that each sfplay~ loads its file in sync with the other sfplay~s (the samples aren't all the same length, but they are the same tempo and signature, so a lack of sync becomes noticeable very quickly). As it stands now, each sfplay~ gradually goes out of sync with the others and it sounds a mess within minutes. I also need each file to play fully, and again they are generally all different durations so one set duration length will not work.

I've looked into the input signal method of getting accurate syncs from sfplay~, but I can't figure a way of making it work with my sfplay bang out/random cue choice set up - it just seems to load the same sample over and over at whatever ms speed I send to the left inlet on [p loop cue].

Can any of you fine folks suggest a solution? There's going to be about 70 samples in all, between 20 sec - 3 minutes long each, so buffer~ seems to be out of the question because of the RAM implications.

I've attached one of my random loaders to show you what I'm working with here - there'll be about 15 of these 'Channel' patchers in the finished work.

SO, I am making a generative system that involves multiple sfplay~/sflist~ combos, each playing a random sample from embedded sflist~ cues.  These are selected at random from sfplay~ bang out into a [random] that then selects the cue number to play next.  

The issue is that the samples are all in sync with each other (they are various synchronised percussion sounds etc), and I need a way to make sure that each sfplay~ loads its file in sync with the other sfplay~s (the samples aren't all the same length, but they are the same tempo and signature, so a lack of sync becomes noticeable very quickly).  As it stands now, each sfplay~ gradually goes out of sync with the others and it sounds a mess within minutes. I also need each file to play fully, and again they are generally all different durations so one set duration length will not work.

Can any of you fine folks suggest a solution?  There's going to be about 70 samples in all, between 20 sec - 3 minutes long each, so buffer~ seems to be out of the question because of the RAM implications.

syncing-multiple-sfplay-together-with-random-cues

Is there no answer to this issue? I've combed forums and google for an answer that suits, but so far no luck...

Is there no answer to this issue?  I've combed forums and google for an answer that suits, but so far no luck...


If I understand you correctly, you want soundfiles only to be triggered in sync with a particular beat, but the durations of the soundfiles are not perfect multiples of the beat duration, so triggering the next soundfile at the ending point of the current soundfile results in the next soundfile being started off the beat.

1) Have a metronome going at the beat rate, and only pass its bang to trigger the next soundfile when a variable shows that the previous file has ended. The onebang object takes care of that for you.

2) Have the transport object running, and delay the triggering bang until the next beat.

Thanks so much for your response Christopher, that's been immensely helpful! Your second suggestion seems to be very close to what I'm looking for.

I've made it mostly work by having the delay object in the main patch, with send/return objects going to the random and from the sfplay~ bang out in each subpatch (the patch I attached in the OP is one of a number of similar subpatches).

I've still got some tinkering to do in terms of timing it so that the loops sync on the on beat rather than the off beat (there's a random chance that the loop doesn't fire for a random amount of seconds, which is probably foiling things somewhat), but one new issue that has appeared is that occasionally a new sample seems to load half way through one already being played - do you have any idea what could be causing that?

Thanks so much for your response Christopher, that's been immensely helpful!  Your second suggestion seems to be very close to what I'm looking for.

I've still got some tinkering to do in terms of timing it so that the loops sync on the on beat rather than the off beat (there's a random chance that the loop doesn't fire for a random amount of seconds, which is probably foiling things somewhat), but one new issue that has appeared is that occasionally a new sample seems to load half way through one already being played - do you have any idea what could be causing that?


on a slightly different note, I'm trying to determine the cue points within a longer sound file, and it doesn't seem that the timing in milliseconds matches up with what is actually in the file. The file is 44k, 24bit, if I open it in audacity, the point I'm looking for is at 15.263 seconds. If I put that into sflist as a cue (preload (filename) 0 15263, it plays well beyond the point it should. To make it stop at the right place, I have to put in 0 11650 ms. Am I just not thinking things through?

on a slightly different note, I'm trying to determine the cue points within a longer sound file, and it doesn't seem that the timing in milliseconds matches up with what is actually in the file. The file is 44k, 24bit, if I open it in audacity, the point I'm looking for is at 15.263 seconds.  If I put that into sflist as a cue (preload (filename) 0 15263, it plays well beyond the point it should. To make it stop at the right place, I have to put in 0 11650 ms. Am I just not thinking things through?


how to sync multiple sfplay~ together with random cues?