The Canvas

So far we’ve mapped all parameters across time using the .p property. Zen also maps parameters across space, allowing you to compose in 4 dimensions.

.x .y .z

The .x, .y, and .z properties of a stream allow you to move a stream around a virtual space and are all instances of the Pattern class. This movement is represented in 2 dimensions (xy) on the pattern visualiser.

s0.e.every(1)
s0.x.saw(0,16)
s0.y.noise(0,16)

.px .py .pz

Just as the .p property maps different parameters across time, .px, .py, .pz map parameters across each axis of the canvas:

s0.set({inst:0,cut:0,re:0.5})

s0.px.n.set('Dlyd%12..*16')
s0.px.modi.saw(1,10)
s0.py.harm.saw(0.5,3,0.25)

s0.x.saw(0,16)
s0.y.noise(0,16)

s0.e.every(1)

The canvas can be used or ignored at will. If you don’t need to map parameters across space, you can use the .p property as normal. However, composing with four dimensions can be a useful way of managing complexity. For example, you could place the overall intensity of the piece on the z axis, and use the x and y axes to control the movement of individual streams.