The simplest module is a CONSTANT. It will always output the same value, which is set by the user at creation-time and can be edited later. CONSTANT modules are shown with a thick outline and a textual representation of their value. All data-types are allowed, e.g. a number or a list of words:
An outputting module can be moused and will request an input from a connected module and do something reasonable with it, like display, print or play it. Below a color SHOW module and a MIDI play module is shown.
A creator of a simple musical object is the NOTE module. It has 3 inputs: a duration, a pitch and a loudness. The duration signifies how long the note is going to last. The pitch is a number counting the semi-tone steps of an equal-tempered scale, middle C has pitch number 60 (see the table of MIDI pitches). The loudness is a number between 0 and 1. Well-known names (like c4 and pianissimo) can be used instead of these numbers. In the next example, each time the OUT button is clicked the same middle-c piano quarter note will sound. Note that unused inputs will default to reasonable values.
We can make compound musical objects. Musical objects that will sound at the same time are constructed using P for Parallel. A parallel object will last as long as its longest component.
You can make a sequential ordering of musical objects into one compound object by using S for Sequence. The folowing object builds a simple melody. Note the use of the REST object, which only has a duration as input.
Advanced control of timing achievable with the LOCO system will be
demonstrated next.
Musical objects themselves can manipulate their
start time (relative to the context) and the duration that the
context 'sees'. A PRE object will start, just in time to be finished
at the time it was asked to start it. This is useful for objects like
grace notes, or control objects like 'start the tape recorder'. PRE
objects are often combined in a S with other material. This makes the
object some sort of preambule for another object.
Likewise, a POST object can be postfixed to other material in a S, without affecting the total duration (just like the applause starts after the piece but does not make it last longer.
An extra input to the OUT module make the tempo controlable
The way poly-timbral music is handled is not yet clear. An extra input to the note object (with named general MIDI instruments) would be easy, but assumes an algorithm for allocation to MIDI channels. An elaborate OUT module could be a solution as well.
