A Subpatch is a powerful feature that allows you to create a modular “patch within a patch.” It is essentially a nested Patcher that lets you organize and encapsulate parts of your project into reusable, self-contained units. Subpatches are particularly useful for managing complex projects, reducing clutter in your main workspace, and reusing specific configurations across different parts of your project or even across multiple projects.
Availability
The Subpatch Node and the Poly Subpatch Node in AudioNodes both allow you to encapsulate and reuse node chains, but they function differently.
The Subpatch Node groups nodes together while maintaining a single signal flow. The Poly Subpatch Node, on the other hand, creates multiple instances (or clones) of the subpatch, distributing incoming notes across these instances. This allows each voice to process one note independently, enabling polyphonic synthesis and more complex sound design. This functionality is particularly useful in scenarios like creating polyphonic synthesizers or custom effects.
Key Aspects
Custom Inputs and Outputs
In a Subpatch, you can define custom inputs and outputs, which can then be connected to other nodes in the main Patcher. This allows for flexible routing and integration with the rest of your audio project. You can create specific entry and exit points within the Subpatch, making it function as a custom node with its own internal logic.
Nested Subpatches
AudioNodes supports nesting Subpatches within other Subpatches. This feature is particularly useful for creating highly complex and hierarchical audio processing structures. It enables you to break down complex tasks into more manageable components, each with its own dedicated Subpatch.