Overview

This module implements three two-dimensional (XY) controllers with glide. Each controller generates CV values for X and Y dimensions. There are two sets of XY values for each controller, the current value and the target value. The current value is represented by a colored dot, the target value by a white circle. When you set a new target value by clicking on the XY grid, or by modifying the Target number boxes, the current value will move to the new target value at a rate dictated by the Glide parameter. This parameter specifies how long, in beats, the current value will take to move to the new target value.

Output values for the XY Controllers are always in the range of -1.0 to +1.0, which is the standard range for modulation signals in Numerology. If you need to scale this to a different range, use the Scale & Offset module.

The current and target values of the XY Grid controls in this module are mirrored by the number boxes next to each XY Grid. This allows you to see and set the exact current and target values. It also allows you to add MIDI Remote control over the Grid by control-clicking on the number boxes. However, please note: Setting up MIDI Remote control over the Current values is not very useful, unless the glide time is non-zero. Otherwise, as soon as you set a new Current value, it will zip over to the Target value immediately.

You can set the Current value in the XY Grid directly by shift-clicking in the grid. You can set both the Current and Target values by shift-option clicking. Both of these tricks are generally only useful when the Glide time is non-zero.

Techniques

Typically, this module is used as a control source to modulate parameters of other modules (via a ParamMod module) or to generate CC values (via a CC Out module).

To use the XY controller to modulate the pitch of the Apple DLS synth, follow these steps:

• Create a new group in a Numerology session, and add these modules, in the order given:
  • A Matrix Sequencer
  • The Apple DLS Synthesizer
  • A Triple XY controller
  • A ParamMod module
  
  
  
• Create a simple pattern in the Matrix Seq by selecting some of the boxes in the matrix grid.
  
  
• On the ParamMod, un-mute the first 'voice' and choose the Apple DLS Synth as the target module. Then pick "Tuning" as the Parameter. Make sure AudioScale is on (that is the default), and for the Control Input menu, pick the first X control of the Triple XY module (it will be labeled something like: "Group 1: TripleXY: X-Y Ctl 1 : X").
  
  
• Now start the Numerology transport so you can hear your pattern. As you change the X value of the first XY Controller, you should hear the pitch of the pattern change. To get a smooth change, set the Glide parameter to some value above zero, such as 4.0.

You can use these same basic steps to setup modulation for any module parameter in Numerology. The ParamMod will automatically scale the XY control values to the full target range of the parameter you're after. With one TripleXY module and three or more ParamMod modules, you can very quickly build a customized performance interface for your sequences and synths. For this application, the glide feature can be extremely useful, as it allows you to setup long-term, accurately timed transitions (up to 999.9 beats) that can run while you work on other parts.

To generate CC values from your XY controllers, follow the same basic steps, but use a CC Output instead of a ParamMod module. Set the Control Input on the CC Output to be one of the XY control streams, then set the target MIDI Output device and channel, and you're ready to go.

In addition, if you feel adventurous, you can also use ParamMod on a TripleXY module itself. By using a non-zero glide time and modulating the Target X and Y values, you can create a 2D XY pattern where the Current value is always chasing the target value. This can be an interesting way to build generative sequences, or the sort of long-term semi-random modulations that are ideal for creating dense ambient textures.

Parameters

The Target X value of the control. The available range is [-1.0, 1.0];

The Target Y value of the control. The available range is [-1.0, 1.0];

The Current X value of the control. The current X value will always move to the target X value at the rate set by the Glide control.

The Current Y value of the control. The current Y value will always move to the target Y value at the rate set by the Glide control.

Set the rate, in beats, that the current X and Y values will move to the target X and Y values.

Ports

These are the CV outputs for the X-axis of each of the three pads.

These are the CV outputs for the Y-axis of each of the three pads.