Bidule Basics 5: Parameter Modulation via Linking

This post assumes that you have read the previous Bidule Basics posts. There is no Live session or Bidule patch associated with this post.



Modulating Parameters
This post will introduce the concept of modulating parameters directly within Bidule for cases where a Bidule device is lacking an inlet for a specific parameter.

This applies to many different Bidule devices. However, this post will cover a specific example. 

In this example, a Bidule device effect (the Buffer Granulator) will have its minimum pitch parameter (which is only accessible via a slider within the setup for the Buffer Granulator) modulated via an LFO. In the diagram above, the Min Pitch parameter is a slider in the Buffer Granulator window.

Lets start with a blank Bidule patch.

Delete the cables that connect the Bidule input to the mixer objects.

Add the Buffer Granulator object from Palette > Effects. Connect the inlets and outlets of the Buffer Granulator to the Bidule input and the mixer respectively. Note that the parameters of the Buffer Granulator do not have any inlets (rather only sliders for control when you double click on the object)

Add a basic oscillator object from Palette > Building Blocks > Oscillators, and rename to LFO.

Add a variable from Palette > Building Blocks > Math > Variable. Rename to LFO Freq and connect to the first inlet of LFO. Add a variable from Palette > Building Blocks > Math > Variable. Rename to LFO Amp and connect to the second inlet of LFO.

Add a Parameter Modulator (Absolute) from Palette > Modulation. Rename to Modulating Parameter. Connect the outlet of LFO to Modulating Parameter.

Now, the above may seem counter-intuitive so far, because there is no explicit or implicit link between Modulating Parameter and any parameters contained within Buffer Granulator. We must create this link.



Linking
Click on the Parameters button in the main Bidule window.

In the left hand column ("Source"), find the Modulating Parameter device. Expand the device by clicking on the triangle. Select the Modulation element. In the right hand column ("Target"), find the Buffer Granulator. Expand the device by clicking on the triangle. Select the Min. Pitch element.

Click on the link button, below the two columns. A new entry should appear in the Source / Target linking list. 

As a result of this linking, any value that is sent into the inlet of Modulating Parameter will modulate the Min Pitch parameter of the Buffer Granulator device.

The LFO signal will modulate the Min Pitch parameter. Adjust the LFO Freq and LFO Amp, and listen and watch how the parameter modulation changes the incoming audio.