[Sc-devel] Embedding Specs in SynthDefs

[felix]

actually Instrument used to be in the Common library from SC3 beta (os
9 version), and that became Instr in crucial, ported back into SC2.
and it does just what you are suggesting: adds specs to a basic
SynthDef.  besides that it has a storage and retreival system which
also comes from JMC's Instrument.

I did simplify the spec syntax and I removed the gui creation aspects
that coupled it to a specific way of working.

So in fact Instr is much simpler and less coupled then what WAS in the
Common library.

the other 'heavyweight' features you are probably thinking of are NOT
in Instr at all.  it doesn't involved a lot of stuff that you (Scott,
for instance) need.  look at the class file.  there's nothing there
besides what you are talking about.
(guiBody and InterfaceDef could be easily moved off of it)

it is NOT coupled to Patch at all.

InstrSynthDef could also be moved with it into Common, but that's
probably also desireable.  there are many ways to use this.

then we would get over this stupid and annoying issue: somebody asks
how to do such-and-such with a SynthDef and the answer is : Instr does
it.  oh... that's in Crucial and that's a big library and the person
doesn't want to get involved with that.  Its a huge mental block to
people.  Its as though I were demanding a 2 year cell phone contract.

case in point:
Scott:
"as I think that involves a lot of stuff that I personally don't need."

:)


If Instr and InstrSynthDef were in Common then those capabilities
would start getting used and extended by other people.  Instr, as I've
so vainly proposed so many times over the years, might actually become
a universal shared library system.  you can keep Instr in quarks.
people could share all kinds of synth defs.

but as long as its in crucial, it won't happen.