Play Tape

Play Tape

This skill plays a tape — loading its patterns, effects, and routing in the correct order.

When to use

When the user says play @tapes/<name>.scd or asks you to play a tape.

Process

Step 1: Read the tape files

1. Read the tape's .scd file to understand all the Pdef/Ndef definitions, effects, and sidechains.
2. Check for an arrangement file at tapes/<name>-arrangement.scd.

Step 2: Ask the user how they want to play

Always ask:

• Jam — Play all parts at once (add .play to each Pdef/Ndef)
• Arrangement — Play using the CCArrangement (only available if an arrangement file exists)

If no arrangement file exists, offer to create one with /arrange-tape as an alternative.

Step 3: Clear and set tempo

~cc.clear;
~cc.tempo(<bpm>);

Step 4: Load patterns WITHOUT playing them

CRITICAL: Do NOT call .play on any Pdef or Ndef yet. Load all pattern definitions first.

Execute all Pdef(\name, Pbind(...)) and Ndef(\name, {...}) definitions exactly as written in the tape — they define the patterns but do not start them.

Step 5: Load effects, routing, and sidechains

Execute all ~cc.fx.load(...), ~cc.fx.set(...), ~cc.fx.route(...), ~cc.fx.connect(...), ~cc.fx.sidechain(...), and ~cc.fx.routeTrigger(...) calls from the tape.

Step 6: Play

If the user chose Jam: Play all Pdefs and Ndefs at once by calling .play on each one.

If the user chose Arrangement: Execute the CCArrangement([...]).play code from the arrangement file.

Optional: MIDI clock sync

If the user wants to sync external gear, enable MIDI clock before playing:

~cc.midi.connect("My Device", \out);
CCMIDIClock.enable(~cc.midi.output);

CCArrangement automatically sends MIDI clock start/stop/ticks when enabled. No extra steps needed during playback.

Key rules

• Always ask jam vs arrangement before playing.
• Never add .play to patterns when playing an arrangement — the arrangement handles start/stop timing.
• Execute the tape code in chunks: tempo, then patterns, then effects, then play.
• Keep the SC code faithful to the tape file — don't rewrite or modify patterns.