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About this manual
If you are looking to start using the AudioCubes for the first time, refer to the Getting Started manual that came with the software.
This manual provides more details about the editor patches for the AudioCubes, which can be used to make lo-fi sounds with the cubes.
Cube editor
The AudioCubes can also be used as a low-fi sound generator / processor. Instead of detecting each other and generating MIDI information, they can generate sound signals, and transmit these to each other.
This can be done through the four wireless inputs and outputs each cube has (on its 4 side-faces) or through the ¼ inch audio jack connectors on the sides of the cube. Each cube has an audio jack input and output. The bandwidth of the generator / processor is limited to 32kHz / 9 bit.
Each cube can be set to generate or process sound, and can be assigned a colour. A sound network can then be built by pointing the right input and output faces of the cubes to each other.
Depending on which faces wirelessly connect to each other, a different “sound signal flow” will be created between the cubes.
In essence, the cubes work like modules in a modular synthesizer, but use wireless technology instead of cables to connect to each other.
Because they use analog signal transmission over infrared, effects can be created like in analogue processing gear where light sources and photo sensitive detectors are used, signals can be mixed by mixing infrared light, etc. The cubes let you create low-fi sounds both in the digital and analogue domains.
Since the editor is regarded as an advanced feature of the cubes, there is no standalone application for it at the time of writing this manual.
Using the editor can be done through the (free) Max/MSP runtime or Max/MSP demo. This software is included on your installation CD or DVD, or can be downloaded from Cycling74's website at http://www.cycling74.com/
To access the various sound generator/processor modes for the cubes, open the “editor.pat” with Max/MSP, inside “patches” in your AudioCubes folder, which was installed on your computer.
When selecting a new mode, the cube will switch to it, and the editor will show a screen in which you can set parameters for the mode (over the USB connection). You can also tell the cube to take its parameters from nearby cubes (choose “face” instead of “slider”).
Refer to the mode quick reference sheet included along with this and other manuals for an overview of the various generator /processor modes which can be assigned, as well as information on input and output channels of the cubes.
Also, keep in mind that the distance between the cubes influences the signal transmission. If you put two cubes too close to each other, the signal will distort (analogue). If you put it further away, the amplitude of the signal will decrease exponentially. This means that, if you use cubes to control each other's parameters, you can have additional control over the parameters by moving cubes closer to each other and further away.
You can connect as many cubes to your computer as you want, one after the other, and assign a different colour and mode to each of them, and then take your cubes where you want and generate/process sound without being connected to a computer, similarly to a modular synthesizer.
A general diagram is shown below, of the signal flow inside the AudioCube. Note that the ¼ inch jack audio output on the left (when looking at the cube from above) is also connected to the wireless transmitter on the left of the cube. This means that any signals output through the jack will also be output through the wireless port on the left, and the other way around.
Each mode has a fixed configuration of its signal inputs and outputs. For example, an sample player could output its sound through the face on the left, at the top, and on the right, and take a trigger signal as input through the front face (where the USB connector is).
A quick tutorial :
- Connect a cube
- Click the Find button
- Select the cube from the drop down menu next to the Find button
- Choose a colour in the colour picker
- Choose a sound generator/processor mode from the drop down menu to the right of the colour picker (e.g. Random)
- Connect your cube's audio jack output to your mixer or amplifier
- Drag the slider for the generator's frequency to the right and back and notice how the frequency of the noise changes
- Connect other cubes and assign other modes
Cube Modes and Channels
To help you with experimenting, here is an overview of available sound processing/generation modes for AudioCubes and their channel assignments:
Copyright Notice
Copyright 2004-2008 PERCUSSA(TM). All rights reserved.
This manual, as well as the software and hardware described in it, is furnished under license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.
The content of this manual is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice and should not construed as a commitment by PERCUSSA.
PERCUSSA assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this document.
Except as permitted by such license, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of PERCUSSA.
PERCUSSA and AudioCubes are trademarks of PERCUSSA. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
All features and specifications subject to change without notice. For the latest revision of this manual or the software, visit www.percussa.com
