Pluggo (Cycling 74) is an environment built from Max/MSP that enables the latter to function in runtime mode from a "host" application. In other words the Max/MSP user can, with Pluggo, open his own patches and effects created in Max/MSP from applications such as Pro Tools, Peak or Cubase and exploit these in either real or differed time. Thanks to "bridges" integrated in Pluggo, the Max/MSP patches work in a similar fashion as the commercially available sound processing plug-ins (Waves, GRM Tools…) by exploiting the specific plug-in format(s) of the host application as well as all the functionality inherent to the format itself (presets, automation, batch processing...). At present, the version 3 of pluggo already supports Digidesign's format RTAS, Steinberg's VST and MOTU's MAS. Any application supporting one of these formats should thus, at least in principle, be able to host the pluggos created in Max/MSP, including Max/MSP itself (module vst ). Pluggo gives the Max/MSP user the possibility to exploit his or her own effects and midi algorithms, audio as well as video (with the new Jupiter library) out of widely available commercial software. The transfer of complex technology written in Max/MSP such as the Spatialisator (Spat) can thus be envisioned. With pluggo, the use of the Spat is no more the privilege of only Max/MSP users. The unique technology of the Spat can now be integrated to modes of sound production common to most home studio settings with software released by commercial organizations. In order to give composers or sound engineer the full range of possibilities of the Spat in a plug-in version it was essential to make all the signal encoding and processing formats that can be found in the Max/MSP available. Since a single plug-in would never be able to cover the entire range of formats, the general approach adopted was to dedicate each pluggo to a specific format while keeping a common interface. The new set of SpatPluggo thus consists of 20 separate ploggos. They are easy to use and compatible with most known applications that support one or more of the plug-in formats (RTAS, VST or MAS) : audio / midi sequencers such as Pro Tools, Cubase, Digital performer, Studio Vision, Logic Audio, sound editors such as Peak, Sonic Works, Spark. Each pluggo in the set carries the name of the encoding module of the particular signal used (stereo, pair wise panning, binaural, ambisonics or surround) together with the number of channels used (from 2 to 8). Hence, the pluggo "Spar Pairwise Panning 6ch" refers to a spatialization on 6 speakers set on a regular plane. The plug-in formats RTAS, VST or MAS being currently limited to managing stereo channels, the spatialization of sound through a single plug-in on a multi-channel system remains problematic. One has to imagine, for instance, having to manage a Vbap or Ambisonic type 3D spacialization (8 speakers at the edges of a cube). An additional pluggo was thus added to the set : "Spat Output Bus", designed to receive and mix the signals coming from each spat plug-in before sending them to the speakers. As in the decoder module of the Spat it is also possible, with this plug-in, to make spectral corrections on the speakers, for the case these would not physically inscribe themselves into a perfect plane or cube. Each Pluggo integrates the same processing of the source sound (absorption of the air, Doppler…) and high quality reverberation processor (type 8c : early/cluster/reverb) as does the original Max version. The interface is identical for each type of Spat, with a single window giving access to the high level control surface of the spat (Circ) and to the parameters of the Spat_Oper (perception factors, source, radiation and configurations). A series of nine examples of rooms (factory presets) is available through a popup menu. It is also possible to develop and save one's own presets (user presets). The saved presets are shareable between all types of Spats and between some VST compatible applications. Each of the 40 parameters in the interface can be automated with respect to time. This allows one, among other things, to record and edit localization parameters (distance, orientation etc) as well as room definition parameters out of the interface of the host application. The approach "all in one" applied here could, thanks to the functionality of the pluggo, evolve into a more sophisticated modular environment : interchangeable pan modules, room module shareable between different Spats, commutation of the modules early and cluster , 3D interface managing the localization of several sources, control through midi, etc. |
expression evaluator 
