Lawrence Casserley - The Monk's Prayer
HH32.M9v01 - Version 1.0
MAX/msp program for MacOS 9.x

Instruction Manual

1. What is included

The following files are included in the folder "Monk's Prayer":

ASIO Drivers - folder into which a copy of your audio interface driver must be placed
faders - sequence of fader movements *
MPManual01.txt - this file
Monk's Prayer.01i - the MAX/msp program for The Monk's Prayer
tempo_to_mS - table to convert beats per minute to milliseconds *

* The starred files are locked because they contain data required by the program and should not be altered.


2. Installation

Drag the folder "Monk's Prayer" to a suitable place on your hard disk.

Place a copy of the ASIO driver for your audio interface in the folder "ASIO Drivers" inside the folder "Vista Clara".

If using MIDI, ensure that OMS is set up correctly to use your MIDI interface.


3. Audio Setup

The program for "The Monk's Prayer" implements the delay system required for performing the piece. A block diagram of this is given in the score. Only one input, for the sound from the flute microphone, is required. There are three output formats to suit different audio interfaces and equipment setups. The first sends the seven delay outputs to seven separate outputs (the most flexible option); the second mixes the seven delays to four outputs; and the third mixes the seven delays to two outputs. You may need to map these onto the correct I/O channels on your audio interface. To do this click in the "DSP Status" window; then click "I/O Mappings" at the bottom right of the window. Input and output channels may be selected via the popup menus beside each channel number. Once these are set no further audio setup should be required.


4. Using the Monk's Prayer Program

Double click on "Monk's Prayer.01i" to start the program.

The program allows two methods of controlling the delays:

A - A sequence of the fader operations required may be played by simply starting the clock - this will be useful if the flautist needs to rehearse alone.
B - The faders may be controlled by another musician using a MIDI fader unit with at least ten faders (eg a Peavey PC-1600) and following the instructions in the score. This is the preferred option for performance.


The program window contains the following controls and indicators:

On the left at the top is the "Set Tempo" popup menu, which allows adjustment of tempo to suit the player. This provides a selection of tempi from mm48 to mm52 in half steps. Click on the menu and drag to the desired tempo. Clock rate and delay times will be altered to suit the tempo chosen. The default setting is mm50.

NOTE - this facility is not intended to be operated during performance. If there is sound coming from the program distortion may occur - it is recommended that you turn down speaker feeds while operating these controls.

To the right of this is the "Set Outputs" popup menu, which allows you to work with fewer outputs than the default. Click and drag to select your desired option.

Selecting seven outputs (the default) will send each delay to  a different output, which allows the most flexibility in routing to the speaker system you are using. Some audio interfaces have fewer outputs, so two other options have been provided.

Selecting four outputs will pan the delays for a quad system as follows:

          L           R
Front  5    81   8
          36         52
Rear   17         23

Selecting two outputs will pan the delays in stereo as follows:

L                                R
5  17  36  81  52  23  8

NOTE - switching output modes while there is sound coming from the system may cause distortion - it is recommended that you turn down speaker feeds while operating these controls.

Below this are controls for starting and stopping the clock which drives the sequence. Click on the green button to start the clock. Click on the red button to stop and reset the clock.

Below these controls are a set of indicators which show where in the score the sequence is located currently. "Cycle" indicates which of the six cycles is being played; "Beat" counts the 81 beats for each cycle; "Event" shows the last event number activated.

On the right of the window is, first,  an indicator of the input level to the delays. This is the sum of the flute input and the two feedbacks. This is a useful warning of potential distortion in the delay system. If this meter shows too high a level it may be necessary to reduce the send to the computer.

NOTE - because of the length of the delay system it may take some time for distortion to be removed. Great care in setting a correct send level to the computer is required.

To the right of this are a series of indicators that show the gain settings for the Input, Feedbacks and the seven Delay Outputs. These will show the effects of the sequencer, if that is being used, or will mirror the external MIDI controls.

NOTE - these faders cannot be used to control levels; they merely indicate the current state of levels controlled either by the sequence or by an external MIDI controller.

Please report any problems, bugs or suggestions for improvement to: leo@lcasserley.co.uk

Lawrence Casserley - February, 2003