(nord modular tech stuff)

[Chris ('the Hex')]

The patch definitions files (*.PCH) which the PC editor uses for storing and
loading patches are formatted as simple text files.  I checked it out
myself, and it's true!  They're formatted pretty much like .INI files,
though the parameters and settings are a bit cryptic.  The interface that
the editor and the hardware use to talk to each other once the patches are
loaded, on the other hand, is another barrel of worms.  This was was Clavia
must have been talking about when they discussed their complex sysex standards.

Now, the cool thing about text-readable patches (to rephrase what Sean said)
is that a clever programmer with the appropriate knowlege to interpret what
the heck they mean would be able to write a hack to convert between Nord's
patch files and other popular modular sound-definition languages (CSound
specifically).  This would allow you to convert stuff back and forth between
CSound and the Modular.  Better still, it would allow you to use the
kick-ass Nord Modular editor (which Clavia distributes free) as an interface
to CSound.  Plus it would give people a way to audition (via CSound) what
their Modular patches might sound like *if* they bought the Modular, without
making the initial investment right away.

Taking this to yet *another* level, I can imagine someone putting together
some software to convert back and forth between .PCH files and the MP4
format, which, I understand, is largely based on CSound's standards.

So what about it?  Any ambitious hackers in the house tonight?! :)  My copy
of Visual C++ is rarin' to go but unfortunately I don't own a Modular and
couldn't check the results.  (Yup, I downloaded the editor awhile ago just
to drool over it and don't have the liquid cash to buy the thing...I know
I'm not the only one out there in this boat either...)

Cheers,
Chris (the Hex)

At 02:23 PM 8/28/98 -0500, Joe Miklojcik wrote:
>Now I learn of a Nord
>Modular editor outputs simple text files?  Somebody clue me... I may have
>some new hardware to buy and some new software to write in the *very* near
>future...

>Sean Costello wrote (among other things):
...
>> Hmmm.  I just had a thought.  Since the Nord Modular editor outputs
>> simple text files (that are then sent to the Modular via MIDI), I wonder
>> how hard it would be to write a program that converted the text files
>> into a format that CSound could use?