Study the two types of control signal discussed in class: the low-frequency oscillator (LFO) and the linear ramp.

Read the essay titled “Line-segment control function” in Christopher Dobrian’s blog on Algorithmic Composition. You don’t need to follow the links that reference other chapters (unless you want to), but do try to understand the new (italicized) terms that are introduced, and do try out the example Max patch in that essay, try understand how it works, and read about any objects or messages in it that you don’t understand.

Then study the rather simple examples “Synthesize a sinusoid in MSP“, “Vibrato“, and “Linear control function“.

Read two other essays in the Algorithmic Composition blog that discuss the use of “Classic waveforms as control functions” and the “Sine wave as control function“.

And if you want still more examples and explanations, you can check out “Amplitude envelope with the function object“, “The function object“, and “Line segment control functions“.