\note is a chromatic note index, calculated from \degree based on a \scale and modal transposition ( \mtranspose, scale degrees to raise or lower the note). 0.2 raises or lowers by two semitones, and so on.
Fractional scale degrees support accidentals: adding 0.1 to an integer scale degree raises the corresponding chromatic note number by a semitone, and subtracting 0.1 lowers the chromatic note number. To go from the highest level of abstraction down: \degree represents a scale degree. The default event prototype includes reasonable defaults for all of these. The other parameters allow you to control how the event gets from \degree to the frequency that is finally passed to the new synth. As the examples have shown, a note-playing pattern produces sensible results even specifying only \degree. To use events, it is not necessary to understand all of those options. Pitch handling in the default event is rich, with a large number of options. Values greater than 1.0 produce overlapping notes. 1.0 means this synth will release exactly at the onset of the next 0.5 means the last half of the duration will be a rest. You can give the sustain pattern directly, or the default event prototype can calculate it for you based on: legato A fraction of the event's duration for which the synth should sustain. Your SynthDef should use gate in an EnvGen based on a sustaining envelope (see Env), and the EnvGen should have a doneAction ( Done ) that releases the synth at the end. After \sustain beats, a release message will be sent to the synth node setting its gate control to 0. sustain How many beats to hold this note. stretch A multiplier for duration: delta = dur * stretch. You can give the delta pattern directly, or the default event prototype can calculate it for you based on other values: dur Duration of this event. delta The number of beats until the next event. Both of these can be calculated from higher-level abstractions: \dur, \stretch and \legato. Rhythm is based on \delta and \sustain event keys. The default event prototype is not meant to enforce one model of pitch or rhythm over any other it simply provides these options, which you may use if they suit the task, or ignore or override if your task calls for something else entirely. Note also that there is no obligation to use these constructs. If your pattern specifies \delta directly, \dur and \stretch are ignored. The calculations may be bypassed by providing another value for the calculated item. The descriptions below start with the ending value that will actually be used, following up with the other values that are used in the calculations: e.g., \delta is based on \dur and \stretch. The default event prototype includes logic to convert higher-level abstractions into the physical parameters that are useful for synthesis.
Using the default event prototype, pitch and rhythm can be specified in Pbind at different levels depending on the musical requirement. See also: Pattern Guide 06g: Data Sharing, Pattern Guide 08: Event Types and Parameters Pitch and rhythm conversions in the default event