tidalcycles.md

TidalCycles Integration

Overview

This guide explains how to integrate the NLS tracker device with TidalCycles, a live coding environment for creating patterns with code.

TidalCycles Setup

Installation

# Install TidalCycles
cabal update
cabal install tidal

# Or use stack
stack install tidal

SuperDirt Setup

TidalCycles requires SuperDirt (SuperCollider) for audio output.

OSC Communication

TidalCycles OSC Port

• Default Port: 6010
• Protocol: UDP
• Format: OSC messages

Sending Sensor Data to TidalCycles

// Send accelerometer data as control values
void send_to_tidalcycles(sensor_data_t *data) {
    lo_address target = lo_address_new("127.0.0.1", "6010");
    
    // Normalize values to 0.0-1.0 range
    float accel_x_norm = normalize_to_range(data->accel_x, -2.0, 2.0, 0.0, 1.0);
    float accel_y_norm = normalize_to_range(data->accel_y, -2.0, 2.0, 0.0, 1.0);
    float accel_z_norm = normalize_to_range(data->accel_z, -2.0, 2.0, 0.0, 1.0);
    
    // Send as control values
    lo_send(target, "/ctrl/accel_x", "f", accel_x_norm);
    lo_send(target, "/ctrl/accel_y", "f", accel_y_norm);
    lo_send(target, "/ctrl/accel_z", "f", accel_z_norm);
    
    lo_address_free(target);
}

TidalCycles Patterns

Basic Pattern

-- Use accelerometer X axis to control gain
d1 $ s "bd" # gain (cF 0.5 "accel_x")

Multiple Controls

-- Use multiple sensor values
d1 $ s "bd*4" 
  # gain (cF 0.5 "accel_x")
  # speed (cF 1 "accel_y")
  # pan (cF 0 "accel_z")

Pattern Transformation

-- Transform pattern based on sensor data
d1 $ s "bd*4" 
  # gain (cF 0.5 "accel_x")
  # whenmod (cI 4 "gyro_z") 8 (rev)

Control Mapping

Accelerometer Mapping

• X-axis: Left-right movement → Pan, Speed
• Y-axis: Forward-backward → Gain, Filter
• Z-axis: Up-down → Reverb, Delay

Gyroscope Mapping

• X-axis: Roll → Pattern rotation
• Y-axis: Pitch → Transposition
• Z-axis: Yaw → Time manipulation

Related Documentation

• OSC Protocol - OSC implementation
• Hyperfone Integration - P2P audio integration

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Last Updated: 2025-02-02
Version: 1.0.0