I don't do a lot of synthesis so I haven't scratched my beard over this question much yet. Usually I am merely doing some kind of trapezoidal declickification and that is it. Now I am trying to play some synthesized tones (cycle~ for now) and be able have various envelops for it.

I want to be able to produce short blips and bleeps as well as long drones that fade in and out super slowly. In short I want a variety of attacks and durations.

It strikes me that there probably many strategies for this. Using line~ or using number~ or using the function~ jibby into line~ or trapezoid or curve with presets. So this is where a LONG max layoff, old school stupidity meets option paralysis.

What is a good, performable (let us say using your laptop live, sans MIDI) strategy for managing various amplitude envelopes elegantly?

Amateur hour, i know. I sheepishly ask for your guidance and wise council oh wise list….

It strikes me that there probably many strategies for this. Using line~ or using number~ or using the function~ jibby into line~ or trapezoid or curve with presets. So this is where a LONG max layoff, old school stupidity meets option paralysis. 

Amateur hour, i know. I sheepishly ask for your guidance and wise council oh wise list….


synthesis-amplitude-control

Use [key] and set your top 10 favorite function envelope presets to q w e r t y u i o p, more if you want. (Don't use number keys because they'll be lost if a number box has focus.) Use the mouse for sliders and maybe a [pictslider] with some fun XY controls, like 2 FX parameters or volume/pan.

"So this is where a LONG max layoff, old school stupidity meets option paralysis."

I am stuck on something basic again. Let me collect all my rustiness and shame in one thread. I think my brain just forgot the idioms. ack. I can do what I want to do with function and sustain (teepee with sustain point) but I don't want to do that in this case b/c prefer to just use line~ and type in the ramp times as numbers here.

I am using button & [line~ ] with pack & co to enter an amplitude target & long fade-in time. At the appropriate time I hit the button and experience the bliss of a long sexy fade-in of my sound.

But then I want to *change the ramp time* and after some time has passed ramp back down to zero (or some other lower value). But I need to ramp down starting from whatever amplitude I am currently at to avoid discontinuities.

Weirdly I can't seem to get my head around how to do that. In short I want to use line to execute linear fade ins and out with arbitrary (& independent) ramp times using the same [line~ ] object, etc.

But then I want to *change the ramp time* and after some time has passed ramp back down to zero (or some other lower value). But I need to ramp down starting from whatever amplitude I am currently at to avoid discontinuities. 

I mean, I have been just doing thins but there are numerous inelegance and performance issues here. For one, it is going to send to line every time you adjust the last item in pack.... I know there is some variation on this that allows you to set everything and have nothing happen till you are ready and can send a bang to start the line.... ack... max brain where have you gone?

Tremendous help I was, of course doing the pack and button thing wrong fumbling around half remembering ... and of course as you indicate there all i had to do was put the output the pack into the RIGHT inlet of the message box and then hit the message with my mouse.

I still find it odd, and always forget to use the message box in that way. Thank you thank you thank you. Exactly what I was trying to do.

Tremendous help I was, of course doing the pack and button thing wrong fumbling around half remembering ... and of course as you indicate there all i had to do was put the output the pack into the RIGHT inlet of the message box and then hit the message with my mouse. 

I still find it odd, and always forget to use the message box in that way. Thank you thank you thank you. Exactly what I was trying to do.


I've gone to gen~ for complex envelopes when I need 'em.

synthesis amplitude control