@Guenon and @Rodney thank you both for for taking the time to look at my modules. I really appreciate people spending time with my modules.
Server?
To answer Guenon’a specific question. There is no centralized server powering Glass Shard. The weekly configs are generated based on the time and the sharing of configs is done entirely though patch files.
Hopefully knowing that makes you more comfortable using it. But I freely admit Glass Shard is an experiment on many levels. And if its not your cup of tee I won’t be offended.
Why Limit?
The short answer to Rodneys question I want each configuration to be something you spend time exploring.
The long answer involves sharing my inspirations and intent with Glass Shard:
I like the idea of creating something that had a large number of combinations; I love procedural generation in video games. That’s why there are so many possible configurations for Glass Shard.
I also grew up loving trading card games. I wanted to make the configurations of Glass Shard something tradable, or at least sharable. The configurations created by Glass Smith are unique to you, but if you share them in a patch with someone they will have it added to their collection.
The roll of imperfect creative muse is something that took shape as I was developing Glass Shard. The idea that it can’t be be a blank slate or a piano roll, but instead each configuration is opinionated in it’s own unique way. That fits my way of creating music.
A version of Glass Shard could exist that allows you to fully configure every value on it. But that felt counter to the inspirations and direction I outlined above. Instead I hope each configuration becomes more precious and tangible, something that you spend more time exploring.
Feedback
I know a lot of the above reads like “because I want it to” and part of that is true but I also do value your feedback. If you continue to explore Glass Shard I’d love hear more of your feedback. Even if it goes counter to my design intentions it can be helpful for future sequencers I make.
More Sequencers
If you want to explore something different than Glass Shard I’d like to draw your attention to some other sequencers of mine: Glass Pane is an more clean network sequencer. Path Set Rainbows offers creative ways for sequences to be modified. And
JP Lab / JPFree gives you a lot of authorial control while still having a hint of randomness.
If you like any of these more that Glass Shard I’d love to that. Or if there are parts of Glass Shard you wish one of these other ones had, I’d love to hear that feedback too!
… It sounds like a mobile game mechanic.