!! README !!

V 2019

This is electronic drone for practicing singing just intonation tones. It also
includes some neat features for experimenting. To run this program you need
Pure Data version 0.50 or newer. You can get it from:

    https://puredata.info/

It may also work on older versions of Pure Data vanilla, but compatibility
is not tested!

Tone selection is based on W. A. Mathieu's book "Harmonic Experience" It is not
mandatory to own or use this book, but highly recommended. It makes
understanding how to use this drone much simpler and gives meaning to all
displayed tone ratios.


    1. How to run

Main folder contains:

    * 12 Tone 5-limit Lattice Drone.pd
    * Extended Lattice Drone.pd
    * README
    * submodules folder

12 Tone 5-limit Lattice Drone.pd - This is drone limited to purest tones. It
is recommended for beginners as it contains simple and easily singable tones.

Extended Lattice Drone.pd - This drone is extended version of previous. It
includes tones from extended Pythagoran spine, extended Ga spine, Blu tones
and prime 11 Tivra Ma. This version is for those who have enough confidence of
singing twelve purest tones in tune.

README - This same file You are currently reading

submodules folder - This is for those who wish to modify, extend or re-use parts of
this software.

To run these programs:

    * Run Pure Data
    * From File menu select Open
    * In opened window navigate to location where this software is stored
    * Open one of the desired drone program

Now you should have drone user interface on your screen. Next step is to turn
on DSP. DSP switch is located in Media menu (DSP On). If Pure Data displays
Audio IO error consult with Pure Data manual for how to set up your sound
device.


    2. Interface layout

Both programs share same interface layout. Main interface sections:

    * Tonic Selector - Base tone selecting panel. These are 12ET tones
    * Fundamental Drone - This drone sounds base ET tone
    * First and Second Overtonal Drone - These drones sound overtonal tones
      of base tone. First and Second are just duplicates for experimentation.
    * First and Second Reciprocal Drone - These drones sound reciprocal tones
      of base tone. First and Second are just duplicates for experimentation.
    * Sound panel - This controls sound aspects of drone
    
Extended drone includes extended overtonal drones, extended reciprocal drones
and drones for higher prime numbers (7, 11). Extended drone section layout
follows exactly overtonal and reciprocal derone layout.


    3. Tonic Selector
    
Tonic Selector contains full octave of 12ET tones and octave shift switch to
widen usable range and make it usable for men and women. Total range is three
octaves and one extra C. Default tonic is middle C.


    4. Fundamental Drone
    
Fundamental Drone is sound generator for tonic. It can be switched on or off
without affecting other drones.

    5. Overtonal and Reciprocal Drones, also extended Drones
    
These are sound generators for tone ratios generated from tonic. Each section
is independently on-off switchable to make experimentation possible and singing
practice easier. Each drone section also includes its own independent octave
shift to move it above or below tonic. Overtones and reciprocal tones are
separated into sections to make navigation easier.


    6. Sound panel
    
This section contains switches and sliders for sound manipulation.

    * Sound IO - Toggles mutes and unmutes sound (default Off) - Beaware! It
      does not turn DSP on or off.
    * Thickener IO - This makes sound generated by drones thicker by adding
      extra harmonics. (Default Off)
    * Waveform - Switches between pure sine wave and harmonically rich sawtooth
      wave. (Default Saw)
    * Vol - Volume slider changes overall sound level. (Default 0)
    * Sust (sustain) - Approximation of tamboura effect. (Default 0)
    * Wind - Roughness of sound, it creates windy effect by modulating drone
      frequencies with white noise. (Default 0)
    * Rnd - Out of tune maker (Default 0)
    * Innacurate VU meter - It is only for approximate sound level and activity
      indicator.
      
Wind and Rnd are solely for experimenting features, they are not usable in real
practice!


      7. Making sound
      
First be sure that DSP is on. Select desired base note from Tonic Selector and
activate Fundamental Drone. Toggle IO to unmute position and rise Vol slider.
If all works you should hear sounding base tone. Then try adding some pure
tones to mix and experiment with Waveform, Sust and Wind.


This software is created in hope that it may be useful, but without any
guarantee. Use at your own risk.
