Chapter 1P - Sound synthesis with Max/MSP 1p

parameters (as in th is case). As you have certainly noticed, Max does not save
the values contained in number boxes or other interface objects when we save
a patc h. However, using the preset object, it becomes possible to remember
these values. By clicking on one of t he darker dots, you recall a configuration
that was previously saved into that slot in the object. Shift-clicking on a dot w ill
record a new configuration into it using current values. In fi gu re 1.42, we see
the icon for th e preset object as it appears in th e palette.

G)

Fig . 1.42 The preset object

PRESENTATION MODE
We wi ll now examine how to make our patches tidier ; to do t his, let' s return
to the fil e 01_09 _envelopes_3.maxpat. Its Patcher Window displays t he usual
row of icons along the bottom ; in performance mode (wi t h th e padlock
locked) t ry clicking on the icon that depicts a litt le w hiteboard (as you can see
in f igure 1.43).

Fig. 1.43 The icon for presentationmode

We see that t he patch is complete ly changed: what remains visible are only
comme nts and interface objects (wh ich are objects, in performance mode, that
you can interact using the mouse or the keyboard, or which display dynamic
data). The other objects and patch cords have vanished, and if that isn't
eno ug h, all of the remaining elements have changed their position, and in some
cases, thei r dimensions!

We have, in fact, moved into presentation mode, a mode in wh ich only

o bjects that have been explicitly chosen to appear are visible; fu rthermore, their
posit ions and dimensions are comp letely independent from what they were in
the patch that we just left. If we click once again on the chalkboard icon, we w ill
ret urn to "normal" patching mode, and all of the objects will return to th eir
o riginal positions and sizes. At th is po int, click on the padlock to go int o edit
mode: we see that some of the objects have a subt le pink halo around them,
and th is halo designates them as objects that w ill be part of presentatio n mod e.
To add an object to presentat io n mode, you can, wh ile in edit mode, select it
and press <Comma nd-p/Control-p>, or else you can click on the object w ith the
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