Convert *~.c to Max Msp

pianolife's icon

Dear all,
It's possibly been asked million of times: is there any way to convert a *~.c file to a Max Patch? I don't use C, and I was wondering if any of you could help me, please.

Thank you so much.
All the best

Stefano

Peter Castine's icon

There is no automatic, machine-based conversion. Just hard work by someone who understands both C and Max/MSP. In some cases, it can be very hard work.

EDIT:

Well, I suppose some people might argue that a C compiler, generating a .mxo external object, is a kind of "conversion" to Max/MSP. But I don't think that's what you were after.

pianolife's icon

Thank you very much Peter. Sorry for being so bold: are you one of those "someone who understands both C and Max/MSP"? :) I think the conversion wouldn't be too complicated, it's basically just an external object that I'd like to implement in Max, instead of importing it. Do you reckon you might have a spare 5 minutes to have a look at it?

Forgive my impertinence.
Thanks

Peter Castine's icon

Nothing impertinent and, yes, there are a fair few people here who understand both "languages," of whom I am one.

I'm pressed for time right now (traveling as of Saturday and facing deadlines), so I'd suggest you post a link to the .c code--or name the object, or say what it does in reasonably specific terms. Hopefully someone from the beehive that is the Max community may be able to help, or at least point you in the right direction.

That said, if you have a functioning external object, it will probably be a bit more efficient than a patch version. I realize there are sometimes reasons to prefer an abstraction over a (3rd party) external, but if something works now, it might be best to just use it. ("If it ain't broke, don't fix it!")

pianolife's icon

Thank you very much, Peter. I'm attaching the file here, it's one of the external objects done in PerColate, and I'd like to have a look at what/how it exactly does the job. I hope that someone can help me, I have never done C. Thanks again for you advices!

mandolin.zip
zip
Charles Baker's icon

Mandolin implements Perry Cook's STK mandolin: the original code was C++. As i recall (miles from source) it was two slightly detuned "karplus-strong" plucked string implementations. The niceness would be in the precise filters used in the feedback loops. Look up "plucked string synthesis". hmm... isn't there a msp plucked string tutorial/demo?... again, all recalled from a memory made delightfully fuzzy from a long weekend at the beach...:-).... *do* check the tutorials...