Create and control an alternative clock Allows the creation of alternatives to the standard millisecond clock. This includes several modes of timing that change timing activities. Each setclock is associated with a name (its first argument), and this name may be passed as the argument to a "clock" message to numerous objects that use timing in Max, such as metro, line, and pipe. Cycling '74 Max Time Values or Adjustments TEXT_HERE Time Update Interval TEXT_HERE Current Time of Clock (bang Message) TEXT_HERE Global clock name Obligatory. The first argument is the name of the setclock object, by which timing objects such as clocker, line, metro, pipe, and tempo can refer to the setclock. Those timing objects -- once they have received the message clock followed by the name of a setclock object -- use that setclock as their timing source instead of Max's regular millisecond clock. The setclock object need not be in the same patcher as the timing objects that refer to it. More than one setclock object may exist with the same name; setclock objects with the same name share the same clock time information. (Note: Different setclock objects that share the same name argument can have different mode arguments typed in, but they will in fact operate with the mode of whichever setclock was first loaded with that name. Thus, setclock objects with the same name but different modes may behave unpredictably, since the order in which they are loaded by Max is often unknown.)

The second (optional) argument describes the mode of clock operation this setclock object will have. The possible modes for the second argument are: Clock timing mode The word pass specifies passive mode. In this mode, the setclock object's current clock time is set by a number received in the left inlet, and associated timing objects will follow that clock time just as if it were a regularly progressing millisecond clock. If no second argument is present, the mode is pass by default.

The word add specifies additive mode. A number received in the left inlet is added to the current clock time to determine the new clock time.

The word mul specifies multiplicative mode. The number received in the left inlet is used as a factor by which all associated timing objects will modify their time settings. For example, a factor of 2.0 will cause all timing objects that are using the setclock as their clock source to double their time values (that is, to halve their speed). An alternative (and perhaps more truthful) way to conceptualize the behavior of mul mode is to think of the incoming float as a divisor by which setclock divides the speed at which its own clock time progresses. Thus, when it receives the number 2.0 it divides its own clock speed by 2.0, causing the objects which are following that clock to progress twice as slowly.

The word interp specifies interpolate mode. The number received in the left inlet is gradually added to the current time of setclock, over a time period determined by the amount of time elapsed since the previous number was received. During that time period, setclock linearly interpolates to set its clock to the intermediate values. Multiplier for mul mode If the second argument is mul, an optional third argument specifies a multiplier for the time of all associated timing objects. If no third argument is present, the multiplier is 1.0 by default. Output current time In left inlet: Sends out the current time value, according to the setclock object's own clock. Timing objects such as clocker, line, metro, pipe, and tempo can use setclock as their clock source instead of Max's regular millisecond clock. Function depends on mode In left inlet: The meaning of the number depends on the second typed-in argument, which identifies the setclock object's mode of operation. If the mode is pass[ive] (the default mode), the number sets an absolute clock time which timing objects may use by comparing it to their initial time value. If the mode is add[itive], the number is added to the setclock object's current clock time. If the mode is interp[olate], setclock will change its clock time incrementally by that amount, over a time period determined by the time elapsed since the previous number was received. (However, negative numbers cause an immediate decrease in the clock time.) If the mode is ext[ernal], the number is simply ignored. If the mode is mul[tiplicative], the number is used as a multiplier for associated timing objects. For instance the number 0.5 halves the rate of increase (speed) of the associated timing objects.

In right inlet: Sets the time interval, in milliseconds, at which the setclock will report its clock information to associated timing objects. The default is 5 milliseconds. Function depends on mode Performs the same function as int. Set the clock name The word clock, followed by a word, specifies the name of the name of the setclock object, by which timing objects such as clocker, line, metro, pipe, and tempo can refer to the setclock. Double-click prints status Double-clicking with the mouse will print status messages in the Max Console. Set update interval In right inlet: Sets the time update interval. Set timing interval for reporting The word set followed by a number of milliseconds sets the timing interval at which the object will report its clock information to associated timing objects. The information is reported to those associated objects immediately. Reset the timing interval The word reset followed by a number of milliseconds sets the timing interval at which the object will report its clock information to associated timing objects. The information is reported whenever the next report is due according to the set interval. When bang is received in the left inlet, setclock sends its current time reading out the outlet.