Launchpad Custom OSC Grid

[nealcoghlan]

Hi, a question to any programmers and people familiar with M4L...

I own a copy of M4L along with a launchpad and was wondering whether it is possible (or whether this device already exists) to set up a launchpad to send out customisable OSC commands as a replacement to the default user 2 drum rack mode. In automap there is a great feature that allows pages of custom MIDI messages that can be assigned to the launchpad, effectively making it a drum pad with dozens of buttons. It'd be great to mimic this as a user 2 option in M4L so I can send out a number of OSC messages and retain the functionality of the launchpad in scene view.

Here's a screen grab of the automap view http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/uq ... directlink for reference. In the image is shows the launchpad with an array of user assigned buttons. Unfortunately you can't use this feature at the same time as the regular launchpad mode in Ableton, but it'd be great to replicate this - and add more functionality to it with the addition of OSC.

Currently the default user 2 on the launchpad (with no M4L devices running) is very limiting as it only allows the use of a small range of MIDI notes. Allowing the use of several pages of messages in a custom layout could provide a lot more scope for using the launchpad as a kind of keyboard. I know for someone such as myself who is more focused on visuals, a custom 'keyboard' mode would br extremely useful.

I've obviously done my research (googled etc.) and found various devices that make use of the launchpad, but none that offer custom OSC messages in this way so far. Also I'm terrible with code/programming in general so find it difficult to pull apart and understand the max stuff - I sit a lot more comfortably understanding the ins and outs of making stuff look good in after effects!

If anyone knows of any devices with this functionality or is even working on one that may do something along these lines it'd be great to know about. My intention is that I will be using the custom commands to play and save clips in ableton of which will then fire out messages to resolume - allowing patterns of visuals across several layers. I'd be happy to share my workings so far in achieving this set up to those that may have the secret to unlocking the launchpads capability that I require.

Cheers!
Neal

[olivierseb]

Hi Neal,

It is possible to turn USER 2 into an OSC mode while keeping the others modes available.

As always with Max, you won't find exactly what you need already done by someone else, just because we use Max exactly for this purpose: doing something really personal.


But you will find the ways to do this in many devices available.

It is not that complicated and it worth the investment IMO.

maybe, start with the Launchpad section of you project ( check Mike's videos here
http://www.max4live.info/ )

then practice OSC message building ( just send a message to [udpsend] via messages including $1)

finally, connect both parts to achieve your device

I don't know a better motivation to start with Max than a real personal project, like yours

olivier

[nealcoghlan]

Hi Olivier, thanks for the response.

I'll be sure to check through some tutorials. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it sooner rather than later!

M4L is deffo quite a daunting interface to a newbie, especially my lack of programming knowledge. I'll also be sure to upload with any progress I make.

Cheers,
Neal

[willyc]

I have implemented what you describe as a standalone Max patch, available here: www.chippanfire.com

My version implements 8 OSC banks on top of the default Ableton mode, accessed by pressing user1 + user 2 simaltaneously. Ableton communication occurs via internal MIDI buses, e.g. IAC or MIDIyoke. There are instructions with the download that explain setup etc...

The patch may serve as inspiration for your needs. Problems I'd envisage with porting it to M4L would be the need for the patch to send/receive sysex during the 'handshake' with Ableton; I believe sysex isn't directly available in M4L patches (though I think there are techniques to work around this). As I don't own M4L there's a limit on how much further assistance I can offer...

[nealcoghlan]

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out!

I'd been attempting a few of the maxforlive.info tutorials - a few results but I think my patching s a bit messy. I'll upload a WIP soon.

Cheers
Neal