Question -

I need to basically mix 6 different audio streams. Simplest way possible, no need to set levels, they're already set.

I have seen some example code where an object has multiple audio streams feeding the **same** inlet. I've tried that. It seems to work just fine.

Is it safe to feed multiple audio streams to one audio inlet on an object? Will it always work? Or should you explicitly add the streams (with +~)?

My hunch is that you should add the streams, and not assume what the object will do if given multiple input streams, since objects are written by all kinds of folks...

I couldn't find this explicitly stated in the online books, I may have missed it...

Shawn

http://www.pd-tutorial.com/english/ch03.html#id420457

Yes, I've read Kriedler. Sorry I wasn't quite sure which section you were referring to in chapter 3.1.2...

He makes a good point in 3.1.2.1.4:
When many sound sources are involved, we usually have to multiply the
total sound by a suitable factor to avoid exceeding the limits of 1 and -1

But then immediately after, in "3.1.2.2.1 Chord", he feeds the output of 5 oscilators directly into the audio inlet of a *~ object in parallel. This object multiplies what's on the left inlet with what's on the right inlet. But what's on the left in his example is not one stream, it's multiple streams.

Are those multiple audio signals to the same left inlet added or multiplied? Further, is it safe to assume that all objects do this? Or should we play it safe and multiply all the signals ourselves, explicitly?

I do not see this doc'd, it may be obvious to some, but I'd like to know for sure.

Thanks,

Shawn

Well with a basic experiment (attached), I have confirmed that when multiple data streams are all feeding a common ~ object's left inlet, they are added (not multiplied), thus prone to clipping.

What I still don't know is if this is behavior of PD itself, & can be assumed for all objects, no matter who the author.

Either way, I think it's best to be explicit with the desired function. If you want to add, add, & if you want to multiply, multiply... Your code should doc itself.

Thanx,

http://www.pdpatchrepo.info/hurleur/Learning-7-Test-Inlet-Math.pd

All audio inlets have a built-in addition. From a performance standpoint, it is slightly more efficient to just add the signals at the inlet instead of using a bunch of [+~ ]. But you're right, it can be less clear at times.