Tutorial: Your First Patch

This tutorial builds a simple stereo filtered delay and then turns it into a usable front-panel effect. It introduces the three layers you will use repeatedly in Deepfield: audio structure, control structure, and front-panel design.

1. Start with a safe graph

Create a new/clear patch. Add or locate:

  • Audio In L / R
  • Audio Out L / R
  • two Delay modules
  • two Filter modules
  • a StereoMixer or suitable Mix structure

Keep monitoring low while you are learning feedback routing.

2. Build the audio path

Create independent left and right paths:

Audio In L -> Delay L -> Filter L -> mixer/output L
Audio In R -> Delay R -> Filter R -> mixer/output R

First confirm that audio reaches the output with conservative levels before adding feedback.

3. Add feedback

Feed part of each filtered delay output back toward its delay input using Mix modules or an equivalent controlled summing stage.

The important design rule is that feedback gain belongs in the loop. Start low. A value that sounds like a long musical decay is safer and easier to tune than beginning near unity.

Putting the filter inside the feedback loop means each repeat is progressively tone-shaped. Putting it only after the loop changes the entire wet signal equally instead.

4. Add user controls

Add Interface modules for the parameters that matter:

  • MacroKnob: Feedback
  • MacroKnob or TempoSelector: Delay Time
  • MacroKnob: Tone / Cutoff
  • MacroKnob: Wet Level

Connect these through parameter pins to the modules they should control. Use Scale, MultiOutputRangeMapper or Control Math when one knob should control several destinations with different ranges.

5. Build a front panel

Select the Interface modules and use Show in Front Panel. Switch to Layout view and arrange the controls into a compact panel.

Add a group divider labelled Delay or Feedback if it improves readability. Return to Operate view and confirm that the panel feels like one effect rather than a debugging surface.

6. Save a Variant

Set a shorter, cleaner configuration and save it as a Variant named Short. Then increase time/feedback and save Long.

Switch between Default, Short and Long. Parameters not included in the Variant should correctly return to their Default state rather than leaking values from the previously selected Variant.

7. Save the patch

Use Save As and provide meaningful patch metadata. A good description tells the next person what makes the patch distinctive, not only that it is “a delay.”

You now have the basic Deepfield workflow: build the graph, expose controls, arrange the panel, capture useful Variants, save the patch.