Assign Messages to MC Objects The mc.assign object assigns MC channels to incoming messages (numbers, lists, and symbols) according to patterns of channels and delays you define. Cycling '74 MC Message In mc.assign~ accepts any message that will be repeated out the outlet, prepended by setvalue and a channel number. Message In TEXT_HERE setvalue Message Output mc.assign precedes any incoming message with the word setvalue followed by the channel number determined by the current pattern. TEXT_HERE TEXT_HERE Repeated to Output bang message is repeated to the left outlet of mc.assign preceded by the word setvalue and the channel number determined by the current pattern. Repeated to Output A number is repeated to the left outlet of mc.assign preceded by the word setvalue and the channel number determined by the current pattern. Repeated to Output A number is repeated to the left outlet of mc.assign preceded by the word setvalue and the channel number determined by the current pattern. Repeated to Output A list is repeated to the left outlet of mc.assign preceded by the word setvalue and the channel number determined by the current pattern. Repeated to Output A message is repeated to the left outlet of mc.assign preceded by the word setvalue and the channel number determined by the current pattern. Channel Count The chans attribute determines the maximum value that the random or cyclic pattern elements will generate. However, chans will not constrain literal numbers contained in a pattern. Delay Times The delays attribute sets a repeating pattern of delay times used when iterating through a chord in a pattern. For example, if delays is set to 100 200 and there is a four-item chord in a pattern (such as | 1 2 3 4 |), an incoming messages will output on channel 1 immediately, then output on channel 2 100ms later, then output on channel 3 200ms after that, then finally output on channel 4 100ms after that (because the delay pattern repeats). To clear the delays attribute and output all messages in a chord simulataneously, send the message delays with no arguments or the word none. Event Density Determines the probability of playing an event when a pattern element is a * or $. When density is set to 0.9, there is a 90% chance an incoming message will be sent out and 10% chance it will be skipped. Mode The mode attribute determines how incoming messages are handled by the current pattern and delays. Play Complete Patterns Each incoming message progresses through the complete pattern. Step Through Patterns Each incoming message uses one element of the current pattern, advancing to the next message to be used on the next incoming message. Iterate Through Incoming Lists Each incoming message progresses through the complete pattern. Groups of pattern elements (within vertical bars) are broken into individual numbers; the pattern advances, outputting one list element at a time until the both end of the list and the end of the pattern are reached. If the pattern is shorter than the list, it will repeat from the beginning. If the list is shorter than the pattern it will repeat from the beginning. Pattern Determines a cyclical pattern of channel assignments. The pattern attribute consists of channel numbers or symbolic elements that generate cyclical or random channel values (see discussion above for details). The mc.assign object always has a non-empty pattern attribute; the default pattern is 1 2 3 4 5 6. To clear the pattern, set the pattern attribute to none or send the message pattern with no arguments. Sequence Position The pos attribute is the current position within the pattern. Changes to the position will mostly be ignored if a pattern is currently generating output messages. The mc.assign object has a pattern attribute that defines how an incoming message is passed on to a connected MC object in the form of setvalue messages. The pattern uses a small set of symbols to describe how it behaves in response to an incoming message. The mc.assign object's mode attribute determines how incoming messages are handled by the pattern.
When the mode is set to Step, incoming messages advance through the pattern one step at a time. When the mode mode is set to Normal, mc.assign plays through the entire pattern for each incoming message. When the mode is set to Listiter, list messages are broken up into individual numbers. For example, an incoming list message 50 60 70 with a pattern of 2 3 would produce three messages: setvalue 2 50, setvalue 3 60, and setvalue 2 70.
Here is a description of the behavior of each of the available pattern elements: