IX PatchBay

Installation

Copy "IX PatchBay.dll" and this document to your Effects folder. That's it. You could add it to your index as well if you like.

What does it do?

It's a multi-input, multi-output, signal routing machine. If you don't know what that means then you probably don't need it.

Inputs

Each machine that you connect to PatchBay as an input is assigned to one of the twenty-four input groups (tracks). By default, each new machine is connected to the first unassigned input but any number of machines can be assigned to a single input.

Outputs

PatchBay has twenty-four seperate outputs which you can access by using the Polac Out II machine. Each input can be routed to any combination of those outputs (and also PatchBay's standard output) by using either the outputs dialog or by using track commands in the pattern editor. By default, each input is connected to both the corresponding output and the standard output.

Track Commands

Each track in the pattern editor corresponds to one of the input groups. You can use commands in the form xxyy where xx is the command and yy is the argument. Commands are as follows:

00nn - Unplug Disconnect this input from output nn.
01nn - Plug Connect this input to output nn.
02nn - Plug Exclusive Connect this input to output nn and disconnect from all other outputs.
03nn - Unplug All Disconnect this input from all outputs (nn is ignored)

Attributes

Volume ramping time Approximate fade in/out time in milliseconds for when an input is connected or disconnected from an output. Default is 10ms.
Double Click What happens when you double-click the machine:
  • 0 = Open parameters window (normal buzz behaviour)
  • 1 = Open inputs dialog
  • 2 = Open outputs dialog (default)
Open inputs on connect If set, the inputs dialog will be displayed when a new machine is connected to PatchBay. On by default.

Right-click menu

Manage Inputs Open the inputs dialog. This allows you to select the input group (track) for each connected machine. Machine's can only be connected to a single input. Double-clicking an input group name allows you to change the label.
Manage Outputs Open the outputs dialog. This lets you alter the signal routing for each input group. Each input can be routed to any combination of outputs. Use the ctrl and shift keys to select multiple items. Double-clicking in either list allows you to change the label of the selected item.
Routing Info Open the routing dialog, which lets you see which machines are routed to each output.

Notes

Acknowledgements

Standing on the shoulders of giants as usual. This time special thanks are due to BTD for showing me how to do multi-input machines and to Polac for making the headers and library for his multi-out machine available. A respectful nod goes to Majkol for helping me to solve a problem when I was stuck and clueless.

Contact

If you've got any comments, requests, bug reports, whatever, you can find me lurking in The Church (username 'd9') or you can mail me via deenine[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk (but don't expect a quick reply.)

Disclaimer

This is only the third machine I've made and I'm still strictly amateur so use it at your own risk. If it kills your computer, take comfort in the fact that it'll probably kill mine too.

- IX