Using "number~" object

michaelpromeo's icon

Hello,
I'm trying to use data from incoming audio signals whether it be guitar, piano, vocals etc. in order to take that data to manipulate video and so on. I'm a bit confused as to what the "number~" object is actually monitoring from the incoming signal. I've read through the help file but it still seems a bit abstract. My question is could I use the "number~" object to measure pitch, volume, or oscillations of the incoming waveform? Thank you Cycle '74 community!!

--Mike

Rodrigo's icon

Not what you're thinking at all.

For pitch/amplitude etc.. you'll need a dedicated object. I personally like descriptors and descriptorsrt from the Harker externals. Sigmund~ is also very good, as are fiddle/bonk, and Analyzer~.

Number~ is showing the current value of a signal, so if you imagine a waveform, sine wave let's say, as something going from +1 to -1, and oscillating between those two points, that is what number~ is showing you. It's basically the amplitude of any given sample. Useless as an indicator of pitch, amplitude, or anything really.

michaelpromeo's icon

Great. Thanks for the help. I'm now getting somewhere using the "Sigmund~" object. Basically, for every different pitch, I would like something different to happen to the video. The patch is attached.

4668.SyntheffectsVideo.maxpat
Max Patch
mzed's icon

You could also try fzero~, which is part of the standard distribution.

pdelges's icon

In many situations I tested, gbr.yin gave the more reliable results. It's part of the free FTM distribution from Ircam.

p

michaelpromeo's icon

Thank you for all the help! I'm using that fzero~ object with best results.

-Mike