Usine has a complete hierarchic patch organisation. Each patch can contain other patches called sub-patches. Sub-patches can contain themselves, other sub-sub-patches, etc.

There is no difference between patch, or sub-patch except that a sub-patch may have data input modules.

You will understand this new concept with this example: imagine that you need a stereo audio delay, while Usine has only mono ones. Proceed as follows:

• Pass in patch design mode. In the menu File from the patch panel, choose new patch.
• Open the Browser/Module/Audio/delays folder. Drag and drop the Delay audio (mono) module on the patch.

• Repeat the last operation to create two delay lines.
• Open the Browser/Module folder, and choose the Input – Output folder. Drag and drop the Audio Input module on the patch.
• Repeat the last operation to create two inputs.
• Open the Browser/Module, choose Input – Output folder. Drag and drop the Audio Output module on the patch.
• Repeat the last operation to create two outputs.

Our patch looks like this:

• Click on the first delay audio/delay parameter, and move the mouse somewhere in an empty area of the patch. Release the mouse button. Choose Horizontal fader in the menu wich appears. An interface object (a fader in that case) has been automatically created. As shown below:

• Repeat the last operation with the first delay audio/feedback parameter.
• Connect wires to obtain the patch below:

• To Save this patch; open menu/save patch (or [Shif+CTRL+S]). Save it in the default library folder with a name like “Stereo delay.pat”.

Now you are ready to use your sub-patch.

Open the menu Patch/Clear Patch to create a new empty patch.

Click on Browser/Library, and our previous patch should appear as “Stereo Delay.pat” (if not, right click and rescan). Select it, and drag & drop it . Choose Add Sub-Patch in the menu wich appears.

The Stereo delay sub-patch has been created on the main patch.

Double click on the sub-patch to display its structure

The “S” in the top left corner indicates that you are on a Sub-patch.

Double click, somewhere in an empty area of the sub-patch, to come back to the parent patch.

The sub-patch is displayed as above, and is equivalent to a stereo delay module with delay and feedback parameter. You can use it as if it were any “normal” module; to build a more complex parent patch like: