REWEREHERE is a Max-MSP patch that takes video from any connected live video source or movie and displays low resolution Rutt Etra style video on an analog oscilloscope using almost any external soundcard. It is simply inspired by the original machine, not a clone … after seeing the real thing perform, it would be unfair to compare the two :)

I did my first implementation using soundcard in 2012. It started at Muffwigglers video synthesis forums – Dave Jones and Lars Larsen were both kind enough to offer their help with basic concepts. I continued working on the patch and used it often in my own artistic work – installations, theatre projects and AV performances. I planned to share it for quite a while, but never really did it :) . The recent rise of instruments, apps and libs that control analog oscilloscopes and XYZ displays from computer by Jerobeam Fenderson and Hansi Raber https://oscilloscopemusic.com/ , Derek Holzer https://github.com/macumbista/vectorsynthesis and Ted Davis https://www.teddavis.org/xyscope/  gave me enough motivation to finally clean my patch and release it.

It is constructed primarily as a performance instrument so MIDI controller is essential for the experience.

Features:

• signal based processing using the classic modular signal flow – jitter matrix video becomes MSP signal very early in the patch, and from there on it’s MSP only
• arbitrary framerate and number of scanlines
• H ramp has variable waveshape – from sawtooth through triangle to inverted sawtooth (triangle is much more effective if you experiment with ILDA lasers)
• two LFO’s with option to sync them to the framerate
• primitive rotation and skew
• test screens (to hepl with the initial setup)
• help patches with notes
• mouseover hints for all parameters
• MIDI learn, with easily editable parameters
• master calibration section that makes it easy to adopt to different output devices
• live audio in – can be used to connect anything including modular synths (CV is also OK if you have a DC coupled soundcard)
• Jitter preview (needs a lot of work but is informative to certain extent)
• additional stereo out for AV synced performances
• Spout support on Windows (have some problems with Syphon implementation, will sort it out)

Here is a demo of a recent version of the patch – live recording of me going through few presets and simultaneously messing with the parameters on Korg Nanocontrol.

What you’ll need:

1. Computer – Mac or PC (no Linux, sorry)
2. Max7 demo – free download here: https://cycling74.com/
3. external soundcard (you will need 3 output channels). DC couple card will allow you to move the image around the screeen. WIth AC coupled soundcard, image will always drift to the center of the screen – this is not necessarily so bad, it makes life much simpler sometimes because you don’t have to play hide and seek when the image is way offscreen (you’d be surprised how often this happens). Most of the cards will be AC coupled, there are just a few brands that make DC coupled ones (I use MOTU).
4. Analog oscilloscope with XY mode and Z input (for brightness, or XYZ display or modified Vectrex. For discussion i suggest this thread https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29973&sid=3896b1fcff66d41b65f079c81760d1f9
5. Cables and adapters to connect soundcard to the oscilloscope – oscilloscopes typically use BNC cables, soundcards can use a variety of connectors. I very often use various adapters to make the connection (like BNC-RCA and jack-RCA)
6. MIDI controller – it will work without it but this is really about live performance.

Here is how I mapped controls on my Korg Nanokontrol:

For now, bug reports, chat and help happens in this Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/REWEREHERE/

Recent patch is located in group’s files section https://www.facebook.com/groups/REWEREHERE/files/

Or if you don’t want to go to Facebook, here is G-drive copy https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-50mz3IKcfocFFHY2g2NVBUbGs