Counter

• Control
• Since 0.2.0
• counter
• trigger
• step
• sequence

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Counter counts the rising edges of a trigger lane, with a step, a limit, wrapping and a reset input.

What it does#

Each rising edge on trigger adds Step to the count; a negative Step counts down. The count is kept between 0 and Limit: with Clamp it stops at the limit, with Wrap it returns to 0 once it passes it. A rising edge on reset returns the count to its start. The output has two lanes: lane 1 is the count divided by Limit, from 0 to 1, and lane 2 is the raw count.

Events#

The wrap outlet sends an event: it is 1 for one block whenever a step carries the count past Limit or below 0, whether Wrap brings it back to 0 or Clamp holds it at the edge, and 0 otherwise. A reset never counts as a wrap. Cable it into a trigger input, such as another Counter or Sample and hold, to do something once per lap.

When to use it#

Use it for scoreboards, step counters and anything that advances on events. Feed it from Compare in Trigger mode, or straight from a square Control LFO as a clock. Use lane 1 for a normalised position and lane 2 for the whole number.

Ports#

Parameters#

Limit (limit)#

The count that maps to 1 on the normalised lane, and where wrapping or clamping happens. 1 to 1000, whole numbers.

Step (step)#

The amount added on each trigger, -10 to 10. Negative counts down.

Wrap (wrap)#

Clamp holds the count at the limit; Wrap returns it to 0 instead. A discrete choice.

Tips#

• Use Select lanes to pick the normalised or raw lane.
• Both inputs are single lanes, so cable one lane into each.
• wrap is a one-block pulse, like Compare in Trigger mode: cable it into a trigger, not into a parameter that should glide.

See also#

Compare, Sample and hold, Control LFO, Select lanes, Cables.

Help patches

Each help patch is an ordinary Toy that teaches one idea. The diagram shows the Patch; the preview shows its Frame. Open it in TuneToys to play and edit it.

1. Count a clock

beginner Teaches: limit, step, wrap

A square LFO clocks a counter with a limit, step and wrap.

Connections as text

• Oscillator audio output connected to Patch outputs audio input
• Control LFO control output connected to Counter trigger input

• Each rising edge of the square LFO adds Step to the count.
• Lane 1 is the count divided by Limit; lane 2 is the raw count.
• Wrap returns to 0 past Limit; Clamp holds there.

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2. Act once per lap

intermediate Teaches: limit, wrap, control-lanes

A clock steps a counter that shapes the level; every time the count wraps, the wrap outlet samples a new pitch from a slow LFO.

Connections as text

• Oscillator audio output connected to Gain audio input
• Gain audio output connected to Patch outputs audio input
• Control LFO “clock” control output connected to Counter trigger input
• Counter control output connected to Select lanes control input
• Select lanes control output connected to Gain @level input
• Control LFO “drift” control output connected to Sample and hold control input
• Counter wrap output connected to Sample and hold trigger input
• Sample and hold control output connected to Scale control input
• Scale control output connected to Oscillator @frequency input

• The square clock steps the counter four times a second.
• wrap is 1 for one block when a step passes the limit (or zero); it triggers Sample and hold.
• The held slow-LFO value is scaled to a pitch window and cabled into frequency.

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Related nodes

• Compare Turn any signal into a gate or trigger by comparing it to a threshold or to another signal, lane by lane, with hysteresis and tolerance.
• Sample and hold Capture the input lanes whenever the trigger lane rises and hold them until the next trigger.
• Control LFO A free-running or tempo-synced low-frequency oscillator on a control lane, 0 to 1, with depth, offset, phase, skew, random shapes and a reset input.