I'm trying to create an instrument using my game controller, and i have a simple problem. I need the buttons to switch things on and off when i press them, but of course it sends one signal when pressed and another when released. I know there's a way around this, but I'm quite new to PD and I don't know how. If someone could help I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

you could probably use [select]

Yes,

If they are simple boolean operators, there will be 2 values being sent. 1 = on 0 = off.

[select 1] will do something when 1 (on) is triggered. and ignore the off (0) value But it will only be able to do that one thing.

If you want to turn that button into an on/off toggle you need to have [select 1] bang into a X[+1] which is fed into a [% 2]. Now a tap of the button adds 1 to a counter and the modulus object splits between odd and even numbers, thus giving you two trigger-able states (0 and 1 or on and off!)

I made an HID object for a joypad, want me to post it, or do you wanna DIY?

thanks for all your help guys! i'll try these things out. and yeah, nestor, i'd love to take a look at yours. i do want to build my own, but i could learn alot by looking at others.