" THE   ZERO   GUIDE "

Now available: the always titillating "FRETBUZZ" software! **NEW**

DOWNLOAD "FRETBUZZ" SOFTWARE

This is my continued work-in-progress within Max/MSP, available for download. Have at it!

Download FRETBUZZ version zero for PS2 controllers!
Download FRETBUZZ v0.2 for XBOX 360 controllers!

If you have Rock Band controllers, then try both and tell me which one works better.

This software is in super-alpha-mode, whatever that means. It just sounds cool to say that, okay? Really, though, to use it you will probably need to download 2 other software packages from the internets. They're free though! Scroll down for the installation details.

NOTE: FRETBUZZ has been written and tested on a laptop w/ Windows XP - but also works on Vista and OSX. Thanks to everyone for helping test Fretbuzz on other operating systems! High-fives. If anyone can help me find bugs that they encounter, I'll help squash them.

USING THIS SOFTWARE:

1. Get Max/MSP 4.6.3 software. The Runtime version is freely available for OSX and Windows, which allows you to run Max/MSP programs, but not create/edit them.
2. Download PeRColate, which is a set of additional synthesis objects for Max/MSP. Here's an working link for the Windows version of PeRColate, as the link provided from the author's site is b0rken right now.
3. Install Max/MSP if you haven't done so already. Then install PeRColate, following the instructions included with it. The process involves copying the PeRColate library files into particular directories within the Max/MSP application folder. If you find the readme file within the PeRColate zip a little tough to follow, try just copying the PeRColate folder of library files into your C:\Program Files\Cycling '74\MaxMSP 4.6\Cycling '74\externals\ folder. The key part is the /externals/ folder.
4. Unzip the FRETBUZZ zip file. You can unzip it anywhere you like on your computer. In other words, you do not have to unzip it into your Max/MSP application folder. Instead, you can simply unzip it to your desktop or something.
5. You're getting close. Plug your GH controller into your computer. Xbox360 version goes right in a USB port, ding. (OSX users, try this driver. Windows users, no driver needed!) PS2 version requires an additional PSX-to-USB adapter. Go here for details on that (and by the way these adaptors might not work for OSX users! not sure tho!!)
6. Wii controller owners, hang in there, I am tryin to get it working with GlovePIE and/or some other Wii driver! Getting close!
7. Plug in your external audio interface, if you have one...
8. Now launch Max/MSP software! (the crowd roars)
9. From within Max/MSP, open the file buzz_360 (or buzz_ps2, depending on your controller(s)).
10. You're in! Now click the HELP MEEE button at the bottom right of the program... that'll get you going with your controller configuration and instructions for using the software!! Party time!

KNOWN ISSUES WITH CURRENT VERSION:

1. The PS2 controller whammy bar does NOT get detected via USB, unless you are using the "Super Dual Box Pro PS2-to-USB adapter". Thanks, Phillip for that discovery! If you have that adaptor, go ahead and try the xbox360 version of Fretbuzz, see what happens. Your controller might explode tho. If it does, be smart and extinguish the fire before your couch goes up in flames.
2. The PS2 star power tilt sensor is really not-so-good. It is marginal at best. I have designed no application for it thus far, and don't plan on it. It's just too unreliable and difficult to control. Unfortunately, the Rock Band controllers seem to use the same tilt sensor technology.
3. On the flipside, the Red Octane Xbox360 controller's whammy AND 2 axes of tilt sensor goodness are indeed detected via USB! The new version (v0.1 and above) let you configure the axes and the whammy for added control of some of the sounds, sick!

COMING SOON:

1. Master pitch/tuning controlification.
2. Key changing action using combinations of the start button and other buttons.
3. Simple sequencer for recording/layering bass and guitar parts and playing em back.
4. More sounds, including "screaming wizard" and "blaze attack face", patent pending.

VERSION HISTORY:

• v0.2 - 2007/7/25 - new version for xbox360 controller owners. Mac OSX fix + new fat bassy light-saber sound oooo! try it!
• v0.1 - 2007/7/21 - new version for xbox360 controller owners. Did somebody say WHAMMY BAR??? or wait i misheard you, did you say TILT SENSOR ACTION?? a coupla new sounds in this verion too. Sorry PS2 dudes and dudettes, you gotta use version zero, still.
• version 0 - 2007/6/3 - the first released version. some of the code is a mess. some is tidy. enjoy it! make some music, get creative! email us with ideas for improvement, if you've got em....

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 License.

Hey programmers, feel free to modify this work, add to it, tweak it - do whatever you want to it. You'll need the full version of Max/MSP to edit the program (not just the Runtime version). Let's build upon it collectively and make it really rock! I have placed the work under a Creative Commons License, which basically states that you can do what you like with it, but you can't sell it or any permutations of it. Changes are encouraged, but please keep the README.txt file with all subsequent distributions. And consider adding your own additional read-me file or something that explains your modifications. This software shall remain free and open-source, if I can help it. If we get smart we can really build it in a modular way such that new synthesis components can be added with ease. Perhaps a superior Max/MSP programmer can help design and develop that modularity?! Imagine a growing library of Guitar Hero controller "sound banks" that can be downloaded and plugged into the application with ease. That's what this FretBuzz project will hopefully become over time with the added support from guitar 'heroes' and programmers across the lands....

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