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Leonora Tindall 5719dd8234
spec: basic sketch of the specification
2020-06-19 11:08:08 -05:00
README.md spec: basic sketch of the specification 2020-06-19 11:08:08 -05:00

README.md

sunny

A control voltage and gate processor for Eurorack and other 1V/Oct systems.

Language

The sunny control language is based on the concept of channels. Each channel consists of one CV (analog) output and one gate (digital) output.

Each track has an associated octave value, by default 4, in which it will play note values.

Values

  • Note values, either simple like C, A#, and Db, relative like C= (C in this octave), D+ (D in the next octave), or A- (A one octave down), or absolute like like C2, Ab4, or F#0. Where a note value is needed, a voltage value (as below) can be substituted, prefixed with a v, like v12c.

  • Voltage values, which can be expressed in volts (like 2v), millivolts (like 2330mv), cents (like 220c), semitones (like 4c), or octaves (like 1o), and which can be absolute or relative (like +2c). Where a voltage value is needed, a note value (as above) can be substituted, prefixed with an n, like n2C#.

  • Conf(iguration) values, which are used to set up channel parameters, are either integers or real numbers (as context dictates) which can be absolute or relative, and are sometimes optional, allowing the values "off" and "none".

  • Boolean values, which can be true (or on) or false (or off).

  • Time values, which are either seconds or u (milliseconds), or the special value beat which refers to one beat based on the BPM of the channel.

Building Blocks

  • set <volts> (abbr. s) sets the CV value of the channel to a given value. This value can be given in cents, semitones (which is the default), octaves, or

  • play <note> (abbr. n) sets the CV value to a given value and turns on and off the digital output for one beat minus the trigger amount (or simply leaves it on if legato is configured).

  • wait <time> (abbr. w) makes the program wait until the next value. Without the use of wait, all changes are executed simultaneously and the output will simply be the last values set on the channel.

  • off (abbr. o) turns off the digital channel.

  • trigger (abbr. t, trg, trig) turns on the digital channel for a very short time, then turns it off.

  • gate (abbr. g, gte) turns on the digital channel until it is turned off again.

Channel Control

  • octave <int> sets the octave, between 0 and 8, to which simple and relative note values will be played.

  • bpm <natural> sets the tempo of the channel. This is the time used by the time value beat and by the play instruction.

  • portamento <optional natural> turns on or off portamento (a slide between CV values) and sets its slope.

  • legato <boolean> turns on or off legato. When legato is on, the play instruction will not set the gate output to zero at the end of the note.