Steam Controller "hi" (KB & M or Gamepad configurations)
Hello,
I'm new to using Max, MSP, Jit, Gen, Vizzi etc. Not sure what to call it either. It reminds me of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. I've noticed it being called Max or Max MSP since I heard about it. Whatever it's going to be called, it's wonderful, at least, that it exists and that it's somewhat affordable.
I ordered a Steam Controller with the idea in mind of using it as a gamepad connected to Max MSP with MIDI & OSC output, etc. When I got it I liked how the pad is set to chiral motion to control the scroll wheel. I've experimented some with the mouse settings since but I haven't been able to get Max MSP to see it as a Gamepad.
When I use the "hi" example the Steam Controller doesn't show in the list. Granted that it's a hybrid HID which I've read is seen as a KB & M (keyboard and mouse). The Steam software has to be running and it's necessary to go into the full screen mode, Big Picture mode, to change the configuration of the gamepad. On Steam, at least, all the buttons, pads, the joystick, etc, can be configured as either a gaming device or as keys, or mouse controls.
Out of the box it comes configured with the right pad as a touchpad for the mouse and the left pad as the scroll wheel, the chiral, rotating, motion being used. But there are templates for gaming configurations or manual configurations of settings available.
Ideally, it'd be nice to be able to separate the Steam Controller from the desktop mouse. I've tried Multi-mouse software before. I wonder if Max MSP can separate mouse and keyboard sources to treat them as separate controllers?
How come I can't type "info"? The "hi" example uses it. I double click or type "n" for a new object. But auto-complete turns it into "info~". I found that if I type "message" first, then I can edit it and change it to "info". After searching in the Key Commands I'm still a bit loss as to why some objects that I see in the tutorials seem difficult to duplicate because when I type those object names they are not valid. But I'm typing the same words in the object boxes that I see in the examples. This I find unnecessarily confusing from a beginners standpoint.
Best regards
Does anyone else
P.s. in gamepad mode it says that it uses X-Input. The other day in one of the configurations it showed up in the "umenu" list but I haven't been able to get it to be listed since.
By the way, I'd tried experimenting with ways to go through an iOS or Android device, to extend the range of the controller. But none of the virtual drivers were recognized as Gamepad inputs in the software I wanted to use. Since some of the drivers from these virtual gamepad controllers, Monect, for example, do show up in the "umenu" I might try that again and see if I can figure out how convert that into MIDI or OSC out.
How come I can’t type "info"? The "hi" example uses it. I double click or type "n" for a new object. But auto-complete turns it into "info~". I found that if I type "message" first, then I can edit it and change it to "info". After searching in the Key Commands I’m still a bit loss as to why some objects that I see in the tutorials seem difficult to duplicate because when I type those object names they are not valid. But I’m typing the same words in the object boxes that I see in the examples. This I find unnecessarily confusing from a beginners standpoint.
The solution for that issue lies in distinguishing between a message and an object. Typing N is the shortcut for an object (and there is no [info] object which explains the autocomplete strangeness) whereas typing M will yield a message box instead, which in this case is what you need. Max 7 arguably makes distinguishing the two a bit more of trick given the relatively subtle visual differences, but objects appear with upper and lower bands, where as message boxes don't (and in default view their edges more rounded). This may be a little confusing but with some study of the examples and patching a bit more, it should become readily apparent before long.
As far as solving the more immediate issue that you are having with the Steam controller, i can't offer any specific help, not having used one, but in either 'mode', I would expect it to show up in some form via the [hi] help patch if its connected...
Bump. It's been a couple years since I asked this. Has anyone gotten the Steam Controller working? I read that direct bluetooth connections are now possible via a firmware update. The touchpads would be useful for emulating an encoder wheel or knob, which is what I wanted to use them for.
if the controller doesn't appear in the list of available devices (in the [hi] helpfile) ; then i guess you're out of luck. You could try configuring it as a joypad from steam and then launch Max. Iirc the api is available somewhere, so an experienced user could eventually make it into a dedicated external. but that's possibly a bit of a stretch for now...
I no longer have access to a Steam Controller. I asked because I was wondering if anyone else has.
Do you still have one? Have you tried the bluetooth connection to Windows? Does it then appear in the list of available devices?
i don't have one ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I made it!! :)) To use steam controller in max you have to add max in your steam games! And then it will be recognized by max with the HI object as a Xbox controller!!
Everything is here https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6490-QOAJ-7167 in " How to use Steam controller in non steam games"
super, congrats.
@wesh i tried that as well, but it doesn't change anything, the pad is recognized as one "wired controler" and i still need to use this patcher to make any sense of the input data : https://cycling74.com/forums/-sharing-for-less-plastic-in-the-ocean-steam-controller-through-hi ; is your method more straightforward ? are you on mac or windows ?