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Overview

The [playhead] object receives playhead information from the DAW, including transport state, timing, tempo, and position data. This object only works in the plugin version of plugdata. With [playhead], you can synchronize your patches with the DAW’s timeline, respond to transport changes, and create tempo-synchronized effects.

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Outlets

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outlet_1
float
Playing stateOutputs 1 if the DAW is playing, 0 otherwise. Use this to trigger actions when playback starts or stops.
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outlet_2
float
Recording stateOutputs 1 if the DAW is recording, 0 otherwise.
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outlet_3
list
Loop informationOutputs a list of three floats: <loop_active, loop_start, loop_end>
  • First value: 1 if looping is enabled, 0 otherwise
  • Second value: Loop start position (in PPQ)
  • Third value: Loop end position (in PPQ)
When looping is disabled, all three values are 0.
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outlet_4
float
Edit timeThe current edit time in the DAW (useful for offline processing).
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outlet_5
float
Frame rateThe DAW’s frame rate (frames per second). Common values include 24, 25, 30, 60, etc.
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outlet_6
float
BPM (Tempo)The current tempo in beats per minute. Use this to create tempo-synchronized effects.
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outlet_7
float
Last bar positionThe position of the last bar in the timeline (in PPQ).
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outlet_8
list
Time signatureA list containing the time signature information: <numerator, denominator>For example, 4/4 time outputs 4 4, and 6/8 time outputs 6 8.
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outlet_9
list
Position informationA list of three floats providing the current playhead position in different formats:
  • PPQ position: Position in Pulses Per Quarter note (musical time)
  • Time in samples: Position in sample frames
  • Time in seconds: Position in seconds
Example output: 16.0 176400 4.0 (at 4 seconds, 16 quarter notes, 176400 samples at 44.1kHz)

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Usage Example

#N canvas 0 0 600 400;

// Monitor transport state
[playhead]
|
[sel 1 0]
|    |
|    [print "Stopped"]
|
[print "Playing"]

// Sync to tempo
[playhead]
|           \ outlet 6 (BPM)
[unpack f f f f f f f f f f]
              |
              [/ 60]  // Convert BPM to beats per second
              |
              [/ $0]  // Get milliseconds per beat
              |
              [metro]  // Metronome synced to DAW tempo

// Get position in bars and beats
[playhead]
|           \ outlet 9 (position)
[unpack f f f f f f f f f f]
  |
  [/ 4]  // Convert PPQ to quarter notes (assuming 4 PPQ)
  |
  [int]  // Get current beat

// Loop detection
[playhead]
|           \ outlet 3 (loop info)
[unpack f f f f f f f f f f]
    |
    [sel 1]
    |
    [print "Looping active"]

// Time signature display
[playhead]
|           \ outlet 8 (time signature)
[unpack f f f f f f f f f f]
        |
        [pack f f]
        |
        [print "Time signature"]

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Advanced Example: Beat Counter

#N canvas 0 0 450 300;

// Count beats synchronized to DAW
[playhead]
|\_____________________________ outlet 9
| \____________________________ outlet 6  
|  \___________________________ outlet 1
[unpack f f f f f f f f f f]
  |     |     |
  |     |     [sel 1]  // When playing
  |     |     |
  |     |     [1(  // Enable counter
  |     |     |
  |     |     [spigot]
  |     |     |
  |     |     [bang~]
  |     |     |
  |     [/ 60]  // BPM to Hz
  |     |
  [/]  // Divide position by beat duration
  |
  [int]  // Get current beat number
  |
  [% 4]  // Modulo 4 for 4/4 time
  |
  [+ 1]  // 1-based counting
  |
  [print "Beat"]

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Notes

  • This object only works in plugin mode, not in standalone
  • Position data is provided in multiple formats for convenience
  • PPQ (Pulses Per Quarter) is the standard MIDI timing format
  • All outlets update whenever the playhead information changes
  • Use [change] objects to detect when specific values change if needed

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