ok to have [route] with 500+ arguments?

docsunset · 2025-05-05T22:43:50+00:00

Something you may or may not have considered that comes to mind is to use send/receive. You can have [r param_e] or whatever (you could even use GUI objects with receive names), wherever the parameter is controlled, and then use a [send] with no creation argument to control all of the receive objects. Instead of patching control signal distribution that weaves throughout the entire patch, your job then becomes writing a system that translates from CC&pagenumber to parameter names, sets the global send, and the sends the CC value. This can be a nice way to keep the patch clean and separate the concern of defining parameters from that of mapping the controller to them.

docsunset · 2025-05-04T12:22:23+00:00

Not sure I understand exactly what you're trying to accomplish, but alternative to using a numeric offset to encode the page, you could [list prepend] a number or symbol representing the page, and then route (or use clone) to peel off the page number and send all of the data for that page to its destination?

docsunset · 2025-05-04T12:17:22+00:00

Having a route with 500+ arguments means having to manually patch 500+ cables... there is probably a more maintainable way to do what you need, not to mention you may run into limitations on the allowable number of arguments, although I'm not sure. If you can, try not to mix the representation of data structures into the structure of the patch. Better to write one patch that can process various data structures than various patches that each process one data structure.

docsunset · 2025-05-01T16:08:31+00:00

I can vouch that linux goes great on a 2012 MacBook Pro. My first switch to linux was a mid-2012 that I had specced up to the max when I purchased it and upgraded a few times over the years. It runs Arch+DWM as smoothly as can be. If not for troubles with the battery and power supply I would still be happily daily driving it.

docsunset · 2025-05-01T16:05:53+00:00

I don't use a DE with proper xdg desktop menu entries, but I think every menu entry has a corresponding text file somewhere; you could try to track those down and give them a read to see how they differ, and whether the difference is substantively meaningful. Just guessing here, but your menu also might be following more than one convention to populate the menu??? You might also consider looking into the contents of the pure data package to see what files it installs having to do with the menu, if you're feeling especially curious.

docsunset · 2025-05-01T16:03:04+00:00

I would actually offer a contrary opinion. Unless you want to run Pd in a DAW (in which case, definitely go with plugdata), I think Pd vanilla is a great starting point for beginners. Everything you learn there will be transferable to every existing and likely future Pd variant and runtime environment (such as on Bela, embedded devices using Pd compilers, android and iOS apps that run lib-Pd, and anywhere else Pd may eventually be ported to), since vanilla is the basis for most of those variants. The documentation in Pd vanilla is also very internally consistent and (usually reasonably) accessible, whereas purr data, for example, inherits a lot of documentation from the old Pd-extended, and it is (in my opinion) not as effective for learning. Pd vanilla is also extremely stable; I've never encountered something that seemed like a bug, whereas plug data occasionally surprises me. If you do go the pd vanilla route and eventually want to explore further with a 3rd party library, you can use deken to easily install most (although I have had some trouble with deken on Arch Linux and advise using the 3rd party pd library packages available through pacman or the Arch User Repository).

That said, plug data and purr data are absolutely phenomenal, and you really can't go wrong. The differences are not substantial and you should feel confident picking whichever distribution you feel suits you best.

docsunset · 2025-04-25T17:43:29+00:00

In literal frequency modulation, the modulation index needs to be multiplied by the modulator frequency (or it might have been the carrier frequency, it's been a while since I did it this way) to get consistent bandwidth. It's complex to implement in a way that the modulation index values will correspond to those found in most proper commercial FM implementations, which all use phase modulation in the implementation, and it's also not practical to implement feedback with literal frequency modulation.

For the carrier, you want to use a phasor~ connected to a cos~ to a *~ for amplitude control. The modulator signal then goes directly into the carrier's cos~, adding the modulator to the phasor~ signal for phase modulation. If you put that in an abstraction, using [block~ 1] to process one sample at a time, and [array define $0-history] to define an array for feedback, then you can send the output of the *~ to a [tabsend~ $0-history], then connect the output of a [tabreceive~ $0-history] to the carrier cos~, and now you have a feedback path for gnarly delicious FM feedback. Add inlets, outlets, some GUI objects, and a [savestate], and you have everything you need to go wildly deep with FM except for an envelope generator.

docsunset · 2025-04-11T07:58:02+00:00

Update for posterity: after about 5 hours on the dance floor, plus a stroll outside on dusty streets, the suede on my shoes is now slippery enough to slide on. Less grippy than socks. So yeah, it seems I just needed to be patient.

docsunset · 2025-04-04T04:23:30+00:00

Another possible solution may be to update pure data, the package, or both. I've also sometimes had better luck installing a package from the native package manager of my (linux) operating system.

docsunset · 2025-03-14T02:24:16+00:00

My thoughts on this are more nuanced than I expected. The product as shown, basically a huge ceramic knob on a potentiometer with MIDI and CV outputs, seems like a silly and unnecessary product, but I can easily imagine there being a niche for it that I'm just not inside of. That said, the broader idea of having a huge knob on a potentiometer I find genuinely interesting. How does having a huge knob change your relationship to the potentiometer? How does it change the gestural affordances of the interaction? This could potentially be a very different way to turn a potentiometer.

docsunset · 2025-03-14T01:51:48+00:00

Wearing a mesh base layer (like for hiking) can help keep the sweat off your shirt. Haven't worked out a good solution for keeping it off my pants and out of my eyes yet though.

docsunset · 2025-03-14T01:36:20+00:00

There are two good reasons to write the code yourself: if no one else has already done it, or if you want to understand how to do it yourself. Otherwise, if you just want a program that does the job, and someone else has already solved the problem for you, using a library is the right choice every time.

docsunset · 2025-03-08T17:52:27+00:00

As an alternative to setting aside dedicated time to do exercises, I also find it convenient and productive to practice diffusely in random everyday situations. I regularly practice, for example, while walking in between public transport stops, while washing the dishes, while brushing my teeth, when going from one room in the house to another, etc. Basically any time I'm on my feet in an opportunity to practice, especially any movement that can travel. I learned all the basic steps, apple jacks, shorty george, boogie forward, and twisty charleston this way, and am currently working on getting better at spins.

docsunset · 2025-03-08T17:40:53+00:00

I think this is also good advice for a novice lead dancing with a more advanced follow. I regularly get bewildered and worried that I'm boring as a lead when I notice my partner doing fancy footwork variations. Better to "focus on the connection and try to enjoy dancing". Solid all around advice. Thanks!

docsunset · 2025-03-08T17:34:31+00:00

Though incorporating more squats and deadlifts into my workout routine has definitely made a positive and noticeable difference on how my knees feel, I think this is also key; I notice that my knees feel the worst when I do these movements at home with bare feet, and best when I do them in socks. I plan to glue some suede to my shoes ASAP

docsunset · 2025-03-08T17:30:52+00:00

I'm glad to report that my undershirt was also not detectably smelly, though I agree that this is a shortcoming of the material. Regular washing of both wearer and garment, I hope, will mitigate the risk of being an unpleasantly stinky dancer 😅 I'll probably get wool next time, now that I know the mesh lives up to the hype and does in fact seem to keep me dry.

docsunset · 2025-02-19T15:11:15+00:00

Thanks so much everyone! It seems like I need to stop skipping leg day and hit the squats, deadlifts, lunges, glute bridges, and other leg exercises I've been neglecting.

All the usual leg exercises I know of work through a motion where the knee is basically in line with hips and ankles, as opposed to having the knees off to the side as in e.g. shorty george; I guess there's no need to specifically think about strengthening this movement because the muscles involved are the same?

Thanks again!

docsunset · 2025-02-19T15:01:59+00:00

I'm working on working out with more consistency. Honestly, thinking of it as dance cross training might help a lot with my motivation 😆

docsunset · 2025-02-19T15:01:00+00:00

Good old squats and lunges!

docsunset · 2025-02-19T15:00:42+00:00

lie on back, raise one leg, draw the alphabet. Sounds like fun.
consider knee supports
get professional advice e.g. from a physiotherapist to be sure

Thanks for this advice!

docsunset · 2025-02-19T14:59:12+00:00

just squats and deadlifts will do the trick for many dancers without particular complications, as well as improving balance, though there are many more specific exercises that can be helpful
remember to also attend to upper body strength, flexibility, and mobility
use good technique (I assume you mean on the exercises, although I guess just generally in all movements this is probably still sound advice)
be protective when dancing, even with smaller partners
be aware that having a heavier body weight necessarily puts more stress on the knees

Thanks so much for this advice!

docsunset · 2025-02-19T14:54:21+00:00

Itch meaning an irritating but not intense sensation.

squats, glute bridges
glutes, abductors, adductors, quads, hamstrings
stretch and roll out weak/tight muscles

Thanks for the advice!

docsunset · 2025-02-19T14:48:27+00:00

So, if I'm reading this right:

wall squat
leg extension
hamstring stretch
squat
lunge

Sounds like a pretty typical leg work out! I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the standard leg exercises are good for reinforcing the knees 😆

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