Sneak Peek - Introducing Maxwell - A software laser synth (analogish)

[BlueFang]

I have seen this issue on occasion (it is not reproducible on my desktop system - but I have seen it on my laptop) - I do not know what causes it. I believe it is an OpenGL initialization issue with Max/MSP - their support is looking into it. There is a work-around though, which is to hit the Power button and wait until it turns yellow (which signals that all initialization is complete) - and then hit the small round "reset" button to the right of the Power button.

Ok so, some of us are not as intelligent with this stuff as others. I finally have about a minute and a half to play with this. How to I get something to display in the primary preview window on the right? I can get the external preview window to display but, unless I use an external second monitor, I have to switch back and forth between windows since once you click on something in Maxwell, it puts the external preview window behind it. If I uncheck "External Preview" nothing shows up on the main preview window.

[BlueFang]

BlueFang,

The APC40-Colorizer app has no effect for me. In fact, I can't get it to do anything at all.

Using the MIDI Monitor in Beyond, the top left clip launch button on the APC40 reports MIDI-in of:
90 35 7F Note On
80 35 7F Note Off

The button to the right reports 91 35 7F, while the button one down reports 90 36 7F.

I'm happy to help debug this further with you - either on this thread or PM me if you want to take it offline.

Thanks for your software!

This is very helpful. I am out of town this week and next - but when I get back, I should be able to look into this.

[Bradfo69]

That took care of it! And at least I don't feel *quite* as stupid.

[BlueFang]

That took care of it! And at least I don't feel *quite* as stupid.

Also, just in case you missed it a few pages back, here are some quick-tips / getting started tutorial steps:


The GettingStarted file is a "preset" file. You load this into Maxwell by hitting the "Load" button in the Presets section and choosing this file. The top row of presets is kind of just a basic getting started - sin wave of progressing complexity. The second row, is a collection of some of the presets used in the live performance video.

To save your current shape as a preset, hold "Shift" and click on one of the empty (non yellow) preset buttons (in the Scenes section).

If you want a quick tutorial on basic shapes here ya go:

Circle:

OSC X - turn amp mod all the way to the right - you should see a horizontal line
OSC Y - click on the "inv" button of OSC Y to invert the waveform (or shift by pi/2)
OSC Y - turn the amp mod all the way to the right - you should now see a perfect circle

Square:

OSC X - select Square waveform from waveform selector
OSC X - turn amp mod to the right until desired width of square - you should see a horizontal line
OSC Y - click on the "inv" button to invert the phase of the waveform
OSC Y - select the Square waveform from waveform selector
OSC Y - turn amp mod to the right the same amount as OSC X - you should see a square.

[Bradfo69]

Thanks! I do own a Z-5 analog console so I have some of the basics but software is always a different animal.

[BlueFang]

Thanks! I do own a Z-5 analog console so I have some of the basics but software is always a different animal.

The Z-5 is a totally different beast - it is analog and doesn't have to worry about frames, but has certainly been a big part of the inspiration for Maxwell... I started simple with Maxwell, but certainly have hopes of adding more and more levels of complexity... Upcoming features being working on include both amplitude and phase modulation per frame, re-factoring of what I call the "Z" Oscillator to be re-used as an assignable oscillator - it is just a generic oscillator, and a mix mode where instead of mixing the two panels of oscillators using algebraic expressions it simply draws two separate waveforms.

[CDBEAM]

OK...Started to " Twiddle the Knobs ".....they so deserve to be twiddled !!
.
Best way is to just keep experimenting I imagine.
.
SO....while I learn....I am still considering my DAC options. I emailed RIYA....ZZZZzzzzzzzzzz
.
Do you plan on supporting the DAC that comes with QuickShow ??? I got one a those too ??
.
So far...very impressive ! Thanx
.
CDBEAM=======>

[BlueFang]

OK...Started to " Twiddle the Knobs ".....they so deserve to be twiddled !!
.
Best way is to just keep experimenting I imagine.
.
SO....while I learn....I am still considering my DAC options. I emailed RIYA....ZZZZzzzzzzzzzz
.
Do you plan on supporting the DAC that comes with QuickShow ??? I got one a those too ??
.
So far...very impressive ! Thanx
.
CDBEAM=======>

Hey CDBEAM. Pangolin DAC support has been discussed but has basically only progressed as far as a "discussion". I can't add support for DACs unless the DAC companies release an API and a library to use - so if you are interested in laser output in the near future, unfortunately your only option is the Ether Dream DAC.

[VJ AIWAZ]

well fb3 wont likely ever have an sdk

but all the other dacs that have been mentioned do and there is a unified ish solution

https://github.com/tebjan/VVVV.LaserDAC

[CDBEAM]

Well.....Based on my high level of enjoyment at
" Twiddling da Knobs".....coupled with my general
low level of patience....screw it !! Time for a "Wet"
Ether Dream DAC !! BEAM OUT
.
And..... consider this.....
.
"Doc Ostrow: The total potential here must be nothing less than astronomical.
Dr. Edward Morbius: Nothing less. The number 10 raised almost literally to the power of infinity.
"
Forbidden Planet - 1956
.
Well....considering the Number of " Twiddle Knobs " available here....Maxwell potential....is also " Astronomical "....errrrr....ah....
I suppose....I would call it.... "Abstractonomical"....hahahaha ....no extra charge for the infantile humor !!!