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254 Chapter 5 The Environment
Special Faders Overview
Switchers, Alias Assigners and Meta Faders
These are two types of faders that do not generate MIDI events. They share the same
Out definition type—namely, the one at the top of the definition menu. This selection
will display either: “Switch” (see “Cable Switchers” on page 254) or “Meta”, depending
on the current -1- value setting:
• If the -1- value is 48, the fader will be a cable switcher
• If the -1- value is 46, the fader will be an alias assigner (see “Meta Event Faders” on
page 255).
• If the -1- value is any other value, the fader will send out meta messages (see “Meta
Event Faders” on page 255) of a type that corresponds to the -1- value.
To create a cable switcher, either select New > Fader > Specials > Cable Switcher or
change an existing fader’s Out definition to Switch/Meta, and set its -1- value to 48.
To create an alias assigner, either select New > Fader > Specials > Alias Assigner or
change an existing fader’s Out definition to Switch/Meta, and set its -1- value to 46.
To create a Meta type fader, either select it from the New > Fader > Specials menu, or
change an existing fader’s Out definition to Switch/Meta, and set its -1- value to the
desired meta event number.
Cable Switchers
Cable switchers route events, rather than generating them. Any kind of MIDI or meta
event can be routed by a cable switcher. The only exception are events that match the
cable switcher’s In definition. These events will change the switch position (the
routing), rather than passing through the cable switcher.
A cable switcher can be assigned to any fader style. It is practical to use the text fader
style, as it allows you to label the switcher’s various routes. Use the Auto-style to
actually display the switch routing, as shown here.
A cable switcher can have up to 128 separate outlets—a new outlet is generated each
time an existing output is cabled to another Object. You can click on an auto-style
cable switcher to step through the outlets (including the last, uncabled one). Incoming
events that match the cable switcher’s In definition will change the switch position to
that of the incoming data value. (If the data value is greater than the number of switch
positions, the last, uncabled outlet will be selected).