detect_onsets
Build a transient/onset detector that flags kick/snare/hi-hat hits in live audio and exposes a per-band pulse channel (a 0→1 spike on each hit) on a Null CHOP. Unlike create_tempo_sync (a fixed internal clock), this follows the ACTUAL audio: bind a parameter to op(
This record as markdown: /tools/io-github-pantani-tdmcp/detect-onsets.md
What detect_onsets does on tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server
AI agents call detect_onsets to retrieve information from tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
Why detect_onsets is rated Low
Even though detect_onsets only reads data, uncontrolled read access leaks sensitive information and racks up API costs: an agent caught in a retry loop can make thousands of calls a minute without anyone noticing.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
The rule that runs detect_onsets safely
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For detect_onsets, this is the rule to start with:
detect_onsets is read-only, so it stays allowed. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
The button opens the PolicyLayer dashboard: create your workspace, connect tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server, apply this rule, and every detect_onsets call is checked against it from then on.
Questions about detect_onsets
Build a transient/onset detector that flags kick/snare/hi-hat hits in live audio and exposes a per-band pulse channel (a 0→1 spike on each hit) on a Null CHOP. Unlike create_tempo_sync (a fixed internal clock), this follows the ACTUAL audio: bind a parameter to op(. It is categorised as a Read tool in the tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for detect_onsets: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server. Nothing to install.
detect_onsets is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the detect_onsets rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for detect_onsets. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
detect_onsets is provided by the tdmcp — TouchDesigner MCP server MCP server (@dpantani/tdmcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
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