Hi there,

I have two quesitons:

I want to upload a ton of .wav files into a folder and play them randomly. What is the best way to proceed?
So far I called them 1.wav, 2.wav, 3.wav, I create a random number and call the file $.wav ... but this can become exhausting, and more than that, see question 2

I wanted in question 1 to be able to play a file with a random name (e.g. "random guy from puredata forum yelling.wav") and having the name of that track printed. So far I was thinking of using names of approach 1, and have a stored .txt file with the "real name" of the track and have it printed, but i can't neither do this.

Thanks in advance for your support
Nando

@radio_babel To use the patch I have posted below you will need some external libraries so when you see "cannot create" messages look for them with Pd.... Help.... Find externals......
I think it needs the "tof" "hcs" "zexy" and "ext13" libraries.
random_shuffle_cart.zip
Any file names you wish.
Once you have clicked "start random" it will play another as each track finishes and print its name to the terminal.
The tracklist sub-patch does more or less what [textfile] could do.

It might give you some clues...... but if you want help with your own patch you will need to upload it to this thread.
David.

David, thanks so much for your quick help! Will dig into your files and if I need help I will get back to you.

Hi David,

I downloaded the externals you mentioned.

Opening the tracklist button i get:

l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create

opening cart5 i get:

invert
... couldn't create
count 1
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
l2s
... couldn't create
initbang
... couldn't create
l $1
... couldn't create
print_long
... couldn't create
counter
... couldn't create

Sorry that I have little experience and can't understand what to do in these cases.

It looks like Î should have some extra patches. For example initbang is not recognized; same for print_long.

The tracklist opens the directory but recognizes no .wav files (i have replaced the spaces with underscores).

I also send my patch in attachment. It is quite messy, but working for files named m1, m2, v1, v2, etc. the idea is simple, all my .wav files have 10 seconds lenght, and there will be a superimposition of two .wav files at the same time, when block A is at 5 seconds, block B enters, and when block A finishes it goes to folder A to get another file.

But if you help me on the files you sent I can adapt your code to my patch, I think I could work it out.

Thanks in advance
Nando
blocks.pd

@radio_babel I will have a look at your patch.
Here is mine again with I hope the missing objects and a solution for initbang......
David.
PS....!!!!!...
I missed [L].......
New upload......... random_shuffle_cart.zip

If you are on Linux (or I think Mac) you could use the ggee [shell] obj, for example with [ls( of [find (.

(I apologise if this is what David already suggested. On my hand-held now.)

Let me know if you are either of these and I'll try and send something along for you to work with.

Good luck.

Hi Svanya, I am on linux. Interesting approach, I had no clue I could access the shell. I will check and give back feedback.

Whale-av: this new file you sent is better: I can load now load the folder and all the .wav files appear there. but when i try to start random play it does not work.

weird error: dsp: /home/fernando/Documents/Pd/programas_antigos/m/m19.wav : No such file or directory

however, if i play that very single using your option "play single" file it works perfectly. so this must be close. any idea?

i didn't understand your PS, though...

This is what I came up with. Seems to work correctly and I added a previous and next feature.

Note: The functionality of randomly getting a filepath/filename is in "rnd_player" (so that that functionality might be used elsewhere) and the "player" is just a readsf~ subpatch in the -help file.

rnd_player;
;
random file selector using ggee [shell] object and shell "find" command and a [text] object (linux and Mac(i think) only);
;
USAGE:;

1. bang load_list;
2. navigate to a file within the folder you want to randomly play and click OK;
3. click RND_FILE to output the filepath/filename of a random file inside that folder;
4. click << to go to the previous file;
5. click >> to go to the next file.;
   ;
   INLETS;
   left a bang which triggers load_list;
   right a bang which gets a new random file(path+name);
   ;
   OUTLET: the filepath/filename of a randomly selected (.wav) file in the load_list selected folder

rnd_player-help.pd
rnd_player.pd

I hope this is not too confusing.

Good luck.
-S

@radio_babel
Two things to keep in mind about ggee/shell:

1. semicolon is a reserved character in pd.
2. the ggee/shell linux stack is cleared after each (list) command you send it is completed.
   So you can not do things like "x=3;echo $x" which can be very frustrating.

I've tried various substitution methods and never found a way around that.

If anyone knows how to that would be a great thing to share (on a different thread).

@radio_babel That is bizarre if the exact path exists but they are not found.
It could be something to do with Linux paths.
Here I have set [cart5_dot_slash] to look in ./m/ as in your [blocks] patch.
It might work....... random_shuffle_cart.zip
David.

Whale-av: it is still missing the "counter", can you please send it?

svanya: sorry, I am short in time and had no opportunity to check your patch with more detail. I am receiving this error in console:
splitfilename /
... couldn't create
vlist2symbol
... couldn't create

where can i find these? i downloaded some externals but still not working

@radio_babel I have replaced the [counter] in both the carts....... random_shuffle_cart.zip
Fingers crossed that one of the carts will now work for you.....!
If so then the 5 second flip is next.
Cart is designed for one folder. If you want to flip between two folders I will change it so that it can be run twice with them talking to each other.

[vlist2symbol] ...... pretty sure you can replace it with the [l2s] you will find in my zip. They are just different names for the clever vanilla abstraction made as a replacement for [list2symbol] by @cuinjune a few years ago.
But as you have installed zexy you can probably just remove the "v" and use [list2symbol]

[splitfilename] should be in the iemlib library. The / is an argument so should not be included when you search for the external.
David.

@radio_babel "I am on linux." Perfect. An easy "vanilla" solution is to write a txt.file like this:

ls *.wav | sed 's/$/;/' > soundfiles.txt

then read this file into [text define] and use [text get] or [text sequence] to get the .wav filenames for your player.

@whale-av : i've lost two hours trying to understand why this does not work, but I couldn't debug.
It sounds crazy, because I get the error:

"dsp: /home/fernando/Documents/Pd/programas_antigos/m/m33.wav : No such file or directory"

And if I copy paste that exact link from the console and paste it in a message, send it to the readsf~ and use an independent "start" it will work perfectly!

Plus i have selected many places in your code to get prints (from the pack for example) and everything works fine. There is the necessary delay for the start . I even disconnected this "start", tried to start the correct filepath i get from your playlist, and start manually. I also disconnected everything else from the readsf~ to make sure it was not receiving any unwanted signal. I am desperate, ahah

I am sure you tested this and it works correctly in your PC, i assume. I don't think this has anything to do with linux or whatever. Thanks so much for your help, again.

Next when I have time I will try solipp approach.

Cheers

@radio_babel Yes. This is very unusual and I have no way to test as it works perfectly on my computer.
I am sorry that it has caused you so much trouble.
David.

@whale-av sorry, i didn't meant to say you caused trouble! it is the other way around, that was very helpful and certainly this is very very close to the solution.

@radio_babel I know.... but in this case it has caused you trouble.
I am tempted to put Linux on a machine and try to get to understand what the problem is.
Often a problem to solve is a good way find new solutions.
But this has me stumped.
David.

@solipp your tips were useful (create text and use text_define, get text_row).

i mixed this approach with whale-av's and it is now working. funny thing is that i defined the paths the same way as whale-av did, and somehow now is working. puzzling...

anyway thank you all for your inputs!