Tim Lloyd

Hello all, it's been a while since I've used Max.

I'm trying to run a SoX command from Max via the [shell] or [aka.shell] objects, but with no success. If I run this straight in Terminal:

... as expected a new aiff is created on my desktop, from the wav of the same name.

But running that exact text via [shell] or [aka.shell] does absolutely nothing. [aka.shell] politely prints out all the details about SoX to the Max window, but all I get from [shell] is a bang message.

Am I neglecting to include something in the message I'm sending from Max? I'm a bit stumped because the objects' help files don't have any extra info, leading me to believe this should be really straight-forward.

(SoX is a command-line utility for various types of conversion of audio files - 

Hello all, it's been a while since I've used Max.  

I'm trying to run a SoX command from Max via the [shell] or [aka.shell] objects, but with no success.  If I run this straight in Terminal:

... as expected a new aiff is created on my desktop, from the wav of the same name.  

But running that exact text via [shell] or [aka.shell] does absolutely nothing.  [aka.shell] politely prints out all the details about SoX to the Max window, but all I get from [shell] is a bang message.

Am I neglecting to include something in the message I'm sending from Max?  I'm a bit stumped because the objects' help files don't have any extra info, leading me to believe this should be really straight-forward.

(SoX is a command-line utility for various types of conversion of audio files - http://sox.sourceforge.net/)


another-shell-aka-shell-question

Hi there, multiple sequential commands in the shell object need to be separated by ;

now I just have to remember how to format text strings with spaces in specific places :-/ ... that's always irked me :)

... and how to extract compatible directories from a folderpath :-o ... need to find those regexp tutorials again

cd ~/Desktop; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100

cd ~/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100

cd ~/Untitled:/Users/Tim_Lloyd/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100

cd Untitled:/Users/Tim_Lloyd/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100

cd ~Untitled:/Users/Tim_Lloyd/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100

cd /Untitled:/Users/Tim_Lloyd/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100

cd :/Users/Tim_Lloyd/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100

This current directory thing in Terminal is confusing, and it's very hard to know where one is going wrong when there isn't any feedback apart from no new file being created :p

cd ~/Desktop; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100
cd ~/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100

cd ~/Untitled:/Users/Tim_Lloyd/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100
or
cd Untitled:/Users/Tim_Lloyd/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100
or
cd ~Untitled:/Users/Tim_Lloyd/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100
or
cd /Untitled:/Users/Tim_Lloyd/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100
or
cd :/Users/Tim_Lloyd/Desktop/Test; sox AltoSax.wav AltoSax_44100.wav rate -s 44100
...

This current directory thing in Terminal is confusing, and it's very hard to know where one is going wrong when there isn't any feedback apart from no new file being created :p


When I have a chance to sit in front of my computer again I could send you a lot of info about formatting but check the forums or even my profile for posts and you'll find a bunch of shell/space related questions.

Is your main volume really called untitled? By default it should be Macintosh HD:/Users/username/Desktop/thing.wav

By the way, most commands have a -v tag (verbose) meaning if it fails to copy it'll print out why if you have print hooked up to stderr out.

... nearly got something working ... but why, whyyyyyy do sequential commands need to be separated by a *backslash*; of all things :-o ... it's so irritating trying to deal with via [sprintf] and/or [combine] ...

I am also a bit stuck with shell formatting.

I have very little experience using Terminal. I would like to send Terminal a message from Max MSP telling it to open a vqs file using a hidden Command Interface application (hidden meaning no GUI). My objective here is to use Terminal to communicate with a Datapath X4 unit - a box which splits the image on my MacBook Pro from multiple screens

If I type this into Terminal it works as I want it to:

vqscmd -ConFigfile=tamquarter.vqs -DeviceNumber=0

But I am not sure how to format this through shell.

I am also a bit stuck with shell formatting.
I have very little experience using Terminal. I would like to send Terminal a message from Max MSP telling it to open a vqs file using a hidden Command Interface application (hidden meaning no GUI). My objective here is to use Terminal to communicate with a Datapath X4 unit - a box which splits the image on my MacBook Pro from multiple screens

If I type this into Terminal it works as I want it to:
cd Documents/DatapathFiles

But I am not sure how to format this through shell.


Just wondering if you were successful using the datapath x4 from your MBP. Any information appreciated!

... another shell / aka.shell question :)