Re: question about building blocks

: : I am new to recording and I was wondering how to use these 'musical tools'. I've seen how these work on analog synthesizers, so I have a little understanding, but how can they work on the computer-move the mouse like you would move a knob or slider? Also are these 'tools' hard to build or time consuming? I've learned through my experiences of trying to learn recording that there is so much software and equiptment but its all hard to use, especially to a beginner like me. So really thats my main concern. E-mail me.

: : thanks
: : CrusAnton@aol.com

: Hi Rick,

: Today I was informed about the listing of my program Building Blocks at Hitsquad and
: there I saw your posting of October 10. If I had seen it earlier I would have replied
: immediately.
: Regarding your question how to use Building Blocks: I can imagine that you are puzzled by
: the program since it is not a 'direct satisfaction' tool. You will need some time to
: figure out how it works, but then it can do a lot for you.
: Let me start with explaining that Building Blocks is NOT a sound-generating program. It
: generates and processes MIDI data. It does not do sound synthesis or produce samples.
: You should more think of it as a program that handles incoming MIDI data any way you
: want. In addition you can insert modules that produce MIDI data themselves (like the
: Sequencer, Drummer and Arpeggiator modules). The mouse and joystick modules can also
: produce MIDI data, but they can be used as controlling devices too.
: What can you do with Building Blocks then?
: I think it is best to explain this with a few examples:

: Example 1.
: Suppose you have a synthesizer whose sound characteristics (resonance, filter cutoff,
: envelope decay etc) can be changed with MIDI controller messages. One way to do this is
: to use the knobs on the synthesizer itself. But suppose you want to change 4, 5 or even
: more parameters simultaneously. Clearly you will run out of hands when you try to do this
: manually. Here Building Blocks can help. You can setup a structure in Building Blocks
: that generates controller data automatically, for example with the Wave modules (these
: modules generate data in the form of a Sine, Triangle, Square, ...)
: Or you can use the movements of your mouse to provide the controller data.
: You can even setup a structure that takes the pitch of a key you play and forward that
: information to controller data, such that the higher the key you play, the more resonance
: (or reverb, or chorus, or pitch bend, or whatever) your synthesizer will produce.

: Example 2.
: Suppose you want to have multiple arpeggiators running simultaneously. Most synths can
: only run one arpeggiator, if any. In Building Blocks you can have as many as you want, as
: long as your CPU can handle it. Just insert some Argeggiator modules in Building Blocks
: and route the output data to the right MIDI port.
: You can setup each arpeggiator with different settings. For example, one arpeggiator can
: run with a 3-note sequence, a second one with a 8-note sequence (good for polyrhytms!).
: They can respond to different areas of your keyboard (low zone = Arp1, mid zone = Arp2,
: high zone = Arp3, etc). They can have fixed velocity data, or depending on the velocity
: you play. They can run up, down, up & down or randomly. They can play notes over 1
: octave, 2 octaves, 3 octaves,... Etc, etc, etc.

: So you see, the possibilties are as good as limitless.
: Yes, you have to setup the structures to use these features and yes, you will need time
: to figure it all out. But then you will see there are so many nice and inspiring things
: you can do with Building Blocks! And remember, it has full MIDI synchronization, so you
: can have Building Blocks sequences running along at the pace of your sequencer (if you
: use one).

: I hope this information has made things a bit more clear for you. If you still have
: questions you can reach me at p.a.m.swennenhuis@rc.rug.nl

: Best regards,

: Paul

I was wondering if this program would suffice as a "go between" module, to accept a midi clock signal from a hardware sequencer, and then send out MTC to a software sequencer in order to lock the 2 together in sync? I really don't need another sequencer (some have this option that I speak of), I really just need to be able to synce a midi clock output to a MTC input. Is that even conceivable?

Thanx,
Tech