diff --git a/app/MainWindow.cpp b/app/MainWindow.cpp
index 8a0555f..2b0da8e 100644
--- a/app/MainWindow.cpp
+++ b/app/MainWindow.cpp
@@ -27,9 +27,11 @@
 
 using namespace std;
 
-MainWindow::MainWindow() :
+MainWindow::MainWindow(const string &port, const string &audio_port, const string &process_port) :
     m_last_file("."),
-    m_feedback("8890")
+    m_feedback(port),
+    m_audio_port(audio_port),
+    m_process_port(process_port)
 {
   m_sound_item_enable_mapper = new QSignalMapper(this);
   m_sound_item_delete_mapper = new QSignalMapper(this);
@@ -59,8 +61,8 @@ MainWindow::MainWindow() :
     for (int i=0; i<10; i++) {
       osc_destination d;
       d.m_id=i;
-      d.m_audio_address = lo_address_new_from_url("osc.udp://localhost:8888");
-      d.m_process_address = lo_address_new_from_url("osc.udp://localhost:8889");
+      d.m_audio_address = lo_address_new_from_url(string("osc.udp://localhost:"+m_audio_port).c_str());
+      d.m_process_address = lo_address_new_from_url(string("osc.udp://localhost:"+m_process_port).c_str());
       if (i==0) d.m_enabled=true;
       else d.m_enabled=false;
       add_gui_address(d,enable_mapper);
diff --git a/app/MainWindow.h b/app/MainWindow.h
index 14d05c4..f68cc3c 100644
--- a/app/MainWindow.h
+++ b/app/MainWindow.h
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 #include <QDirIterator>
 #include <QFileDialog>
 #include <QLineEdit>
+#include <QMessageBox>
 #include "ui_samplebrain.h"
 #include "SettingsDialog.h"
 
@@ -34,11 +35,19 @@ using namespace spiralcore;
 
 class MainWindow : public QMainWindow
 {
-    Q_OBJECT
+  Q_OBJECT
 
 public:
-    MainWindow();
+  MainWindow(const string &port, const string &audio_port, const string &process_port);
 
+  void message(const string &msg) {
+    QMessageBox::information(this,"problem",msg.c_str(), QMessageBox::Ok);    
+  }
+
+  bool ok() {
+    return m_feedback.ok();
+  }
+  
   // all this to work around liblo's use of varargs...
   void send_audio_osc(const char *name, const char *types) {
     for (auto dest:m_destinations) {
@@ -102,344 +111,346 @@ protected:
 
 private slots:
 
-    void play_slot() { send_audio_osc("/start",""); }
-    void stop_slot() { send_audio_osc("/pause",""); }
+  void play_slot() { send_audio_osc("/start",""); }
+  void stop_slot() { send_audio_osc("/pause",""); }
 
-    void ratio_slot(int s) {
-      send_audio_osc("/ratio","f",s/100.0f);
-      m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxRatio->setValue(s/100.0f);
-    }
-    void ratio_slot(double s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/ratio","f",s);
-        m_Ui.sliderRatio->setValue(s*100);
-    }
+  void ratio_slot(int s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/ratio","f",s/100.0f);
+    m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxRatio->setValue(s/100.0f);
+  }
+  void ratio_slot(double s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/ratio","f",s);
+    m_Ui.sliderRatio->setValue(s*100);
+  }
 
-    void n_ratio_slot(int s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/n_ratio","f",s/100.0f);
-        m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxNRatio->setValue(s/100.0f);
-    }
-    void n_ratio_slot(double s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/n_ratio","f",s);
-        m_Ui.sliderNRatio->setValue(s*100);
-    }
+  void n_ratio_slot(int s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/n_ratio","f",s/100.0f);
+    m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxNRatio->setValue(s/100.0f);
+  }
+  void n_ratio_slot(double s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/n_ratio","f",s);
+    m_Ui.sliderNRatio->setValue(s*100);
+  }
 
-    void autotune(int s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/autotune","f",s/100.0f);
-        m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxAutotune->setValue(s/100.0f);
-    }
-    void autotune(double s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/autotune","f",s);
-        m_Ui.sliderAutotune->setValue(s*100);
-    }
+  void autotune(int s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/autotune","f",s/100.0f);
+    m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxAutotune->setValue(s/100.0f);
+  }
+  void autotune(double s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/autotune","f",s);
+    m_Ui.sliderAutotune->setValue(s*100);
+  }
 
-    void fft1_start_slot(int s) { send_audio_osc("/fft1_start","i",s); }
-    void fft1_end_slot(int s) { send_audio_osc("/fft1_end","i",s); }
-    void fft2_start_slot(int s){} // { m_renderer->get_params()->m_fft2_start=s; }
-    void fft2_end_slot(int s){} // { m_renderer->get_params()->m_fft2_end=s; }
+  void fft1_start_slot(int s) { send_audio_osc("/fft1_start","i",s); }
+  void fft1_end_slot(int s) { send_audio_osc("/fft1_end","i",s); }
+  void fft2_start_slot(int s){} // { m_renderer->get_params()->m_fft2_start=s; }
+  void fft2_end_slot(int s){} // { m_renderer->get_params()->m_fft2_end=s; }
 
-    void n_mix_slot(int s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/n_mix","f",s/100.0f);
-        m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxNMix->setValue(s/100.0f);
-    }
-    void n_mix_slot(double s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/n_mix","f",s);
-        m_Ui.sliderNMix->setValue(s*100);
-    }
+  void n_mix_slot(int s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/n_mix","f",s/100.0f);
+    m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxNMix->setValue(s/100.0f);
+  }
+  void n_mix_slot(double s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/n_mix","f",s);
+    m_Ui.sliderNMix->setValue(s*100);
+  }
 
-    void novelty_slot(int s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/novelty","f",s/100.0f);
-        m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxNovelty->setValue(s/100.0f);
-    }
-    void novelty_slot(double s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/novelty","f",s);
-        m_Ui.sliderNovelty->setValue(s*100);
-    }
+  void novelty_slot(int s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/novelty","f",s/100.0f);
+    m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxNovelty->setValue(s/100.0f);
+  }
+  void novelty_slot(double s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/novelty","f",s);
+    m_Ui.sliderNovelty->setValue(s*100);
+  }
 
-    void boredom_slot(int s) {
-        float v=s/100.0f;
-        send_audio_osc("/boredom","f",v);
-        m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxBoredom->setValue(v);
-    }
-    void boredom_slot(double s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/boredom","f",s);
-        m_Ui.sliderBoredom->setValue(s*100);
-    }
-    void synapses(int s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/synapses","i",s);
-    }
-    void target_mix_slot(int s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/target_mix","f",s/100.0f);
-        m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxTargetMix->setValue(s/100.0f);
-    }
-    void target_mix_slot(double s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/target_mix","f",s);
-        m_Ui.sliderTargetMix->setValue(s*100);
-    }
-    void search_stretch(int s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/search-stretch","i",s);
-    }
-    void slide_error(int s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/slide-error","i",s);
-    }
-    void stickyness_slot(int s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/stickyness","f",s/100.0f);
-        m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxStickyness->setValue(s/100.0f);
-    }
-    void stickyness_slot(double s) {
-        send_audio_osc("/stickyness","f",s);
-        m_Ui.sliderStickyness->setValue(s*100);
-    }
+  void boredom_slot(int s) {
+    float v=s/100.0f;
+    send_audio_osc("/boredom","f",v);
+    m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxBoredom->setValue(v);
+  }
+  void boredom_slot(double s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/boredom","f",s);
+    m_Ui.sliderBoredom->setValue(s*100);
+  }
+  void synapses(int s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/synapses","i",s);
+  }
+  void target_mix_slot(int s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/target_mix","f",s/100.0f);
+    m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxTargetMix->setValue(s/100.0f);
+  }
+  void target_mix_slot(double s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/target_mix","f",s);
+    m_Ui.sliderTargetMix->setValue(s*100);
+  }
+  void search_stretch(int s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/search-stretch","i",s);
+  }
+  void slide_error(int s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/slide-error","i",s);
+  }
+  void stickyness_slot(int s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/stickyness","f",s/100.0f);
+    m_Ui.doubleSpinBoxStickyness->setValue(s/100.0f);
+  }
+  void stickyness_slot(double s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/stickyness","f",s);
+    m_Ui.sliderStickyness->setValue(s*100);
+  }
 
-    void volume_slot(int s) { send_audio_osc("/volume","f",s/100.0f); }
-    void algo(int n) {  send_audio_osc("/search_algo","i",n); }
+  void volume_slot(int s) { send_audio_osc("/volume","f",s/100.0f); }
+  void algo(int n) {  send_audio_osc("/search_algo","i",n); }
 
-    void run_slot() {}
-    void load_target() {
-        m_last_file=QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(
-            this,
-            QString("Select an wav file"),
-            m_last_file,
-            QString("Sounds (*.wav)"));
+  void run_slot() {}
+  void load_target() {
+    m_last_file=QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(
+                                             this,
+                                             QString("Select an wav file"),
+                                             m_last_file,
+                                             QString("Sounds (*.wav)"));
 
-        send_process_osc("/load_target","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
-    }
-    void target_block_size(int s) { send_process_osc("/target_block_size","i",s); }
-    void target_block_overlap(double s) { send_process_osc("/target_overlap","f",s); }
-    void generate_target_blocks() {  send_process_osc("/generate_target",""); }
-    void block_size(int s) { send_process_osc("/source_block_size","i",s); }
-    void block_overlap(double s) { send_process_osc("/source_overlap","f",s); }
-    void fft_spectrum_size(int) {}
-    void generate() { send_process_osc("/generate_brain",""); }
-    void load_sound() {
-        m_last_file=QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(
-            this,
-            QString("Select a wav file"),
-            m_last_file,
-            QString("Sounds (*.wav)"));
+    send_process_osc("/load_target","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
+  }
+  void target_block_size(int s) { send_process_osc("/target_block_size","i",s); }
+  void target_block_overlap(double s) { send_process_osc("/target_overlap","f",s); }
+  void generate_target_blocks() {  send_process_osc("/generate_target",""); }
+  void block_size(int s) { send_process_osc("/source_block_size","i",s); }
+  void block_overlap(double s) { send_process_osc("/source_overlap","f",s); }
+  void fft_spectrum_size(int) {}
+  void generate() { send_process_osc("/generate_brain",""); }
+  void load_sound() {
+    m_last_file=QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(
+                                             this,
+                                             QString("Select a wav file"),
+                                             m_last_file,
+                                             QString("Sounds (*.wav)"));
 
-        send_process_osc("/load_sample","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
+    send_process_osc("/load_sample","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
 
-        sound_items::sound_item &si = m_sound_items.add(m_Ui.brain_contents, m_last_file.toStdString(),true);
+    sound_items::sound_item &si = m_sound_items.add(m_Ui.brain_contents, m_last_file.toStdString(),true);
+
+    QObject::connect(si.m_enable, SIGNAL(clicked()), m_sound_item_enable_mapper, SLOT(map()));
+    m_sound_item_enable_mapper->setMapping(si.m_enable, si.m_id);
+    QObject::connect(si.m_del, SIGNAL(clicked()), m_sound_item_delete_mapper, SLOT(map()));
+    m_sound_item_delete_mapper->setMapping(si.m_del, si.m_id);
+  }
+
+
+  void load_sounds() {
+    m_last_file=QFileDialog::getExistingDirectory(this,
+                                                  QString("Select a directory"),
+                                                  m_last_file);
+
+
+    QDirIterator dirIt(m_last_file,QDirIterator::Subdirectories);
+    while (dirIt.hasNext()) {
+      dirIt.next();
+      if (QFileInfo(dirIt.filePath()).isFile() &&
+          QFileInfo(dirIt.filePath()).suffix() == "wav") {
+        send_process_osc("/load_sample","s",dirIt.filePath().toStdString().c_str());
+
+        sound_items::sound_item &si = m_sound_items.add(m_Ui.brain_contents, dirIt.filePath().toStdString(),true);
 
         QObject::connect(si.m_enable, SIGNAL(clicked()), m_sound_item_enable_mapper, SLOT(map()));
         m_sound_item_enable_mapper->setMapping(si.m_enable, si.m_id);
         QObject::connect(si.m_del, SIGNAL(clicked()), m_sound_item_delete_mapper, SLOT(map()));
         m_sound_item_delete_mapper->setMapping(si.m_del, si.m_id);
+
+      }
     }
+  }
 
+  void select_all() {
+    for (auto &si:m_sound_items.m_sound_items) {
+      si.m_enable->setChecked(true);
+      send_process_osc("/activate_sound","s",si.m_filename.c_str());
+    }
+  }
 
-   void load_sounds() {
-     m_last_file=QFileDialog::getExistingDirectory(this,
-                                                   QString("Select a directory"),
-                                                   m_last_file);
+  void select_none() {
+    for (auto &si:m_sound_items.m_sound_items) {
+      si.m_enable->setChecked(false);
+      send_process_osc("/deactivate_sound","s",si.m_filename.c_str());
+    }
+  }
 
-
-     QDirIterator dirIt(m_last_file,QDirIterator::Subdirectories);
-     while (dirIt.hasNext()) {
-       dirIt.next();
-       if (QFileInfo(dirIt.filePath()).isFile() &&
-           QFileInfo(dirIt.filePath()).suffix() == "wav") {
-         send_process_osc("/load_sample","s",dirIt.filePath().toStdString().c_str());
-
-         sound_items::sound_item &si = m_sound_items.add(m_Ui.brain_contents, dirIt.filePath().toStdString(),true);
-
-         QObject::connect(si.m_enable, SIGNAL(clicked()), m_sound_item_enable_mapper, SLOT(map()));
-         m_sound_item_enable_mapper->setMapping(si.m_enable, si.m_id);
-         QObject::connect(si.m_del, SIGNAL(clicked()), m_sound_item_delete_mapper, SLOT(map()));
-         m_sound_item_delete_mapper->setMapping(si.m_del, si.m_id);
-
-       }
-     }
-   }
-
-   void select_all() {
-     for (auto &si:m_sound_items.m_sound_items) {
-       si.m_enable->setChecked(true);
-       send_process_osc("/activate_sound","s",si.m_filename.c_str());
-     }
-   }
-
-   void select_none() {
-     for (auto &si:m_sound_items.m_sound_items) {
-       si.m_enable->setChecked(false);
-       send_process_osc("/deactivate_sound","s",si.m_filename.c_str());
-     }
-   }
-
-    void sound_enable(int id) {
-      // search for this id...
-      for (auto &si:m_sound_items.m_sound_items) {
-        if (si.m_id==id) {
-          if (si.m_enable->isChecked()) {
-            send_process_osc("/activate_sound","s",si.m_filename.c_str());
-          } else {
-            send_process_osc("/deactivate_sound","s",si.m_filename.c_str());
-          }
+  void sound_enable(int id) {
+    // search for this id...
+    for (auto &si:m_sound_items.m_sound_items) {
+      if (si.m_id==id) {
+        if (si.m_enable->isChecked()) {
+          send_process_osc("/activate_sound","s",si.m_filename.c_str());
+        } else {
+          send_process_osc("/deactivate_sound","s",si.m_filename.c_str());
         }
       }
     }
+  }
 
-    void delete_sound(int id) {
-      // search for this id...
-      for (auto &si:m_sound_items.m_sound_items) {
-        if (si.m_id==id) {
-          send_process_osc("/delete_sample","s",si.m_filename.c_str());
-          m_sound_items.remove(si.m_filename);
-          // iterator is now invalidated...
-          return;
-        }
-      }
-    }
-    void clear_brain() {
-      for (auto &si:m_sound_items.m_sound_items) {
+  void delete_sound(int id) {
+    // search for this id...
+    for (auto &si:m_sound_items.m_sound_items) {
+      if (si.m_id==id) {
         send_process_osc("/delete_sample","s",si.m_filename.c_str());
+        m_sound_items.remove(si.m_filename);
+        // iterator is now invalidated...
+        return;
       }
-      m_sound_items.clear();
     }
-    void restart_audio() { send_audio_osc("/restart_audio",""); }
-
-    void brain_shape(int n) { send_process_osc("/window_type","i",n); }
-    void target_shape(int n) { send_process_osc("/target_window_type","i",n); }
-    void mic(bool n) { send_audio_osc("/mic","i",(int)n); }
-
-    void record() {
-        if (m_save_wav=="") {
-            m_last_file=QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(
-                this,
-                QString("Select a wav file"),
-                m_last_file,
-                QString("Sounds (*.wav)"));
-            m_save_wav = m_last_file.toStdString();
-            // chop off .wav
-            size_t pos = m_save_wav.find_last_of(".");
-            if (pos!=string::npos) {
-                m_save_wav = m_save_wav.substr(0,pos);
-            }
-
-        }
-
-        char fn[1024];
-        snprintf(fn,1024,"%s-%i",m_save_wav.c_str(),m_record_id);
-        send_audio_osc("/record","s",fn);
-        cerr<<fn<<endl;
-        m_record_id++;
+  }
+  void clear_brain() {
+    for (auto &si:m_sound_items.m_sound_items) {
+      send_process_osc("/delete_sample","s",si.m_filename.c_str());
     }
+    m_sound_items.clear();
+  }
+  void restart_audio() { send_audio_osc("/restart_audio",""); }
 
-    void stop_record() {
-        send_audio_osc("/stop","");
-    }
+  void brain_shape(int n) { send_process_osc("/window_type","i",n); }
+  void target_shape(int n) { send_process_osc("/target_window_type","i",n); }
+  void mic(bool n) { send_audio_osc("/mic","i",(int)n); }
 
-    void load_brain() {
-        m_last_file=QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(
-            this,
-            QString("Select a brain file"),
-            m_last_file,
-            QString("Brains (*.brain)"));
-
-        send_process_osc("/load_brain","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
-    }
-    void save_brain() {
-        m_last_file=QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(
-            this,
-            QString("Select a brain file"),
-            m_last_file,
-            QString("Brains (*.brain)"));
-
-        send_process_osc("/save_brain","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
-    }
-
-    void load_session() {
-        m_last_file=QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(
-            this,
-            QString("Select a session file"),
-            m_last_file,
-            QString("Sessions *.samplebrain (*.samplebrain)"));
-
-        send_process_osc("/load_session","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
-        init_from_session(m_last_file.toStdString());
-    }
-
-    void save_session() {
-        m_last_file=QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(
-            this,
-            QString("Select a session file"),
-            m_last_file,
-            QString("Sessions *.samplebrain (*.samplebrain)"));
-
-        send_process_osc("/save_session","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
-    }
-
-    void update_status() {
-      m_feedback.poll(m_Ui.statusbar,&m_sound_items,m_settings_dialog);
-    }
-
-    void stereo_mode(bool s) {
-      send_audio_osc("/stereo","i",s);
-    }
-
-    void net_enable(int id) {
-      osc_destination &d = m_destinations[id];
-
-      if (d.m_enable->isChecked()) {
-        // reconnect
-        string url = d.m_address->text().toUtf8().constData();
-        lo_address_free(d.m_audio_address);
-        lo_address_free(d.m_process_address);
-        d.m_audio_address = lo_address_new_from_url(string(url+":8888").c_str());
-        d.m_process_address = lo_address_new_from_url(string(url+":8889").c_str());
-        // start sending messages here
-        d.m_enabled=true;
-      } else {
-        // stop sending messages here
-        d.m_enabled=false;
+  void record() {
+    if (m_save_wav=="") {
+      m_last_file=QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(
+                                               this,
+                                               QString("Select a wav file"),
+                                               m_last_file,
+                                               QString("Sounds (*.wav)"));
+      m_save_wav = m_last_file.toStdString();
+      // chop off .wav
+      size_t pos = m_save_wav.find_last_of(".");
+      if (pos!=string::npos) {
+        m_save_wav = m_save_wav.substr(0,pos);
       }
 
     }
 
+    char fn[1024];
+    snprintf(fn,1024,"%s-%i",m_save_wav.c_str(),m_record_id);
+    send_audio_osc("/record","s",fn);
+    cerr<<fn<<endl;
+    m_record_id++;
+  }
+
+  void stop_record() {
+    send_audio_osc("/stop","");
+  }
+
+  void load_brain() {
+    m_last_file=QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(
+                                             this,
+                                             QString("Select a brain file"),
+                                             m_last_file,
+                                             QString("Brains (*.brain)"));
+
+    send_process_osc("/load_brain","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
+  }
+  void save_brain() {
+    m_last_file=QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(
+                                             this,
+                                             QString("Select a brain file"),
+                                             m_last_file,
+                                             QString("Brains (*.brain)"));
+
+    send_process_osc("/save_brain","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
+  }
+
+  void load_session() {
+    m_last_file=QFileDialog::getOpenFileName(
+                                             this,
+                                             QString("Select a session file"),
+                                             m_last_file,
+                                             QString("Sessions *.samplebrain (*.samplebrain)"));
+
+    send_process_osc("/load_session","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
+    init_from_session(m_last_file.toStdString());
+  }
+
+  void save_session() {
+    m_last_file=QFileDialog::getSaveFileName(
+                                             this,
+                                             QString("Select a session file"),
+                                             m_last_file,
+                                             QString("Sessions *.samplebrain (*.samplebrain)"));
+
+    send_process_osc("/save_session","s",m_last_file.toStdString().c_str());
+  }
+
+  void update_status() {
+    m_feedback.poll(m_Ui.statusbar,&m_sound_items,m_settings_dialog);
+  }
+
+  void stereo_mode(bool s) {
+    send_audio_osc("/stereo","i",s);
+  }
+
+  void net_enable(int id) {
+    osc_destination &d = m_destinations[id];
+
+    if (d.m_enable->isChecked()) {
+      // reconnect
+      string url = d.m_address->text().toUtf8().constData();
+      lo_address_free(d.m_audio_address);
+      lo_address_free(d.m_process_address);
+      d.m_audio_address = lo_address_new_from_url(string(url+":"+m_audio_port).c_str());
+      d.m_process_address = lo_address_new_from_url(string(url+":"+m_process_port).c_str());
+      // start sending messages here
+      d.m_enabled=true;
+    } else {
+      // stop sending messages here
+      d.m_enabled=false;
+    }
+
+  }
+
   void settings() {        
     m_settings_dialog->show();
   }
   
 private:
 
-    ///////////////////////////////////////////////
+  ///////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-    // we want to be able to send out to
-    // multiple addresses over the network
+  // we want to be able to send out to
+  // multiple addresses over the network
 
-    ////////////////////////////////////////////////
+  ////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 
-    // we want to be able to send out to
-    // multiple addresses over the network
-    class osc_destination {
-    public:
-      int m_id;
-      lo_address m_audio_address;
-      lo_address m_process_address;
-      // can't find a way to address these via qt
-      QLineEdit *m_address;
-      QCheckBox *m_enable;
-      bool m_enabled;
-    };
+  // we want to be able to send out to
+  // multiple addresses over the network
+  class osc_destination {
+  public:
+    int m_id;
+    lo_address m_audio_address;
+    lo_address m_process_address;
+    // can't find a way to address these via qt
+    QLineEdit *m_address;
+    QCheckBox *m_enable;
+    bool m_enabled;
+  };
 
-    vector<osc_destination> m_destinations;
+  vector<osc_destination> m_destinations;
 
 
-    void init_from_session(const string &filename);
-    void add_gui_address(osc_destination &dest,
-                         QSignalMapper* enable_mapper);
+  void init_from_session(const string &filename);
+  void add_gui_address(osc_destination &dest,
+                       QSignalMapper* enable_mapper);
 
-    string m_save_wav;
-    QString m_last_file;
-    unsigned int m_record_id;
-    Ui_MainWindow m_Ui;
-    feedback m_feedback;
-    QSignalMapper* m_sound_item_enable_mapper;
-    QSignalMapper* m_sound_item_delete_mapper;
-    sound_items m_sound_items;
+  string m_save_wav;
+  QString m_last_file;
+  unsigned int m_record_id;
+  Ui_MainWindow m_Ui;
+  feedback m_feedback;
+  QSignalMapper* m_sound_item_enable_mapper;
+  QSignalMapper* m_sound_item_delete_mapper;
+  sound_items m_sound_items;
 
-    SettingsDialog *m_settings_dialog;
+  SettingsDialog *m_settings_dialog;
   audio_thread *m_audio_thread;
-
+  
+  string m_audio_port;
+  string m_process_port;
 };
diff --git a/app/audio_thread.cpp b/app/audio_thread.cpp
index 1d51bcf..7da0aa0 100644
--- a/app/audio_thread.cpp
+++ b/app/audio_thread.cpp
@@ -20,26 +20,23 @@
 using namespace spiralcore;
 using namespace std;
 
-audio_thread::audio_thread(process_thread &p) :
+audio_thread::audio_thread(const string &port, process_thread &p) :
   m_audio_device(NULL),
-  m_osc("8888"),
+  m_osc(port),
   m_process_thread(p),
   m_brain_mutex(p.m_brain_mutex),
   m_stereo_mode(false),
   m_mic_mode(false),
   m_bufsize(2048),
   m_samplerate(44100),
-  m_device("")
-{
-  //  start_audio();
+  m_device("") {
+
   pthread_mutex_lock(m_brain_mutex);
   m_left_renderer = new renderer(p.m_source,p.m_left_target);
   m_right_renderer = new renderer(p.m_source,p.m_right_target);
   m_block_stream = new block_stream();
   pthread_mutex_unlock(m_brain_mutex);
   m_osc.run();
-  // it this threadsafe? 
-  //  m_audio_device->report_devices();
 }
 
 static bool state = 1;
diff --git a/app/audio_thread.h b/app/audio_thread.h
index bcee447..66ccd40 100644
--- a/app/audio_thread.h
+++ b/app/audio_thread.h
@@ -26,12 +26,12 @@ namespace spiralcore {
 
   class audio_thread {
   public:
-    audio_thread(process_thread &p);
+    audio_thread(const string &port, process_thread &p);
     ~audio_thread();
 
     void start_audio();
     void restart_audio(const string device, unsigned int samplerate, unsigned int bufsize);
-
+    bool ok() { return m_osc.ok(); }
     void process(sample &left_in, sample &right_in, sample &left_out, sample &right_out);
 
     static void run_audio(void* c, unsigned int frames);
diff --git a/app/feedback.h b/app/feedback.h
index 4de48d8..1c52949 100644
--- a/app/feedback.h
+++ b/app/feedback.h
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ class feedback {
 public:
   feedback(std::string address);
   void poll(QStatusBar *s, sound_items *sound_items, SettingsDialog *settings);
-
+  bool ok() { return m_osc.ok(); }
+  
 private:
 
   OSC_server m_osc;
diff --git a/app/process_thread.cpp b/app/process_thread.cpp
index 8208b5b..d09e127 100644
--- a/app/process_thread.cpp
+++ b/app/process_thread.cpp
@@ -32,8 +32,8 @@ static void* _process(void *c) {
   return NULL;
 }
 
-process_thread::process_thread() :
-  m_osc("8889"),
+process_thread::process_thread(const string &port) :
+  m_osc(port),
   m_source_block_size(1000),
   m_source_overlap(0.75),
   m_target_block_size(1000),
diff --git a/app/process_thread.h b/app/process_thread.h
index 7464f45..8523d69 100644
--- a/app/process_thread.h
+++ b/app/process_thread.h
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@
 
 namespace spiralcore {
 
-class process_thread {
-public:
-    process_thread();
+  class process_thread {
+  public:
+    process_thread(const string &port);
     ~process_thread();
 
     pthread_mutex_t* m_brain_mutex;
@@ -47,10 +47,13 @@ public:
     void load_session(const std::string &filename);
     void save_session(const std::string &filename);
 
+
+    bool ok() { return m_osc.ok(); }
+
     // only for use in mutex
     brain m_source, m_left_target, m_right_target;
 
-private:
+  private:
 	OSC_server m_osc;
     u32 m_source_block_size;
     float m_source_overlap;
@@ -64,6 +67,6 @@ private:
     renderer *m_left_renderer;
     renderer *m_right_renderer;
     block_stream *m_block_stream;
-};
+  };
 
 }
diff --git a/app/qtmain.cpp b/app/qtmain.cpp
index c505db3..f2c5cdb 100644
--- a/app/qtmain.cpp
+++ b/app/qtmain.cpp
@@ -19,22 +19,54 @@
 #include <iostream>
 #include <unistd.h>
 #include <QtGui>
+#include <QSettings>
+
 #include "MainWindow.h"
 
 #include "process_thread.h"
 #include "audio_thread.h"
+#include "status.h"
 
 using namespace std;
 
 int main( int argc , char *argv[] ){
-    QApplication app(argc, argv);
-    MainWindow mainWin;
-    mainWin.show();
-    process_thread pt;
-    audio_thread at(pt);
-    pt.register_renderer(at.m_left_renderer, at.m_right_renderer, at.m_block_stream);
 
-    mainWin.set_audio_thread(&at);
+  
+  QApplication app(argc, argv);
+  
+  QSettings settings("thentrythis", "samplebrain");
 
-    return app.exec();
+  // slight over-use of OSC servers here, but the are packaged nicely for
+  // threadsafe (nonblocking) communication, and it's useful to expose all
+  // moving parts for external control (i.e. the processing and the audio)
+  
+  if (!settings.contains("gui_port")) settings.setValue("gui_port", "62345");
+  if (!settings.contains("audio_port")) settings.setValue("audio_port", "62346");
+  if (!settings.contains("process_port")) settings.setValue("process_port", "62347");  
+
+  string gui_port = settings.value("gui_port").toByteArray().constData();  
+  string audio_port = settings.value("audio_port").toByteArray().constData();
+  string process_port = settings.value("process_port").toByteArray().constData();
+
+  status::set_port(gui_port);
+  
+  MainWindow mainWin(gui_port,audio_port,process_port);
+  mainWin.show();
+  process_thread pt(process_port);
+  audio_thread at(audio_port,pt);
+  
+  pt.register_renderer(at.m_left_renderer, at.m_right_renderer, at.m_block_stream);
+  mainWin.set_audio_thread(&at);
+
+  if (!at.ok()) {
+    mainWin.message("problem starting audio thread on port "+audio_port);
+  }
+  if (!pt.ok()) {
+    mainWin.message("problem starting process thread on port "+process_port);
+  }
+  if (!mainWin.ok()) {
+    mainWin.message("problem starting gui thread on port "+gui_port);
+  }
+
+  return app.exec();
 }
diff --git a/brain/src/spiralcore/OSC_server.cpp b/brain/src/spiralcore/OSC_server.cpp
index cfd1590..e37fa4a 100644
--- a/brain/src/spiralcore/OSC_server.cpp
+++ b/brain/src/spiralcore/OSC_server.cpp
@@ -31,117 +31,105 @@ extern "C" {
 #endif
 
 OSC_server::OSC_server(const string &port) :
-m_port(port),
-m_exit(false),
-m_command_ring_buffer(262144)
-{
-        //cerr<<"using port: ["<<port<<"]"<<endl;
-    m_server = lo_server_thread_new(port.c_str(), error_handler);
+  m_port(port),
+  m_exit(false),
+  m_command_ring_buffer(262144) {
+  //cerr<<"using port: ["<<port<<"]"<<endl;
+  m_server = lo_server_thread_new(port.c_str(), error_handler);
+  if (m_server) {
+    cerr<<m_server<<endl;
     lo_server_thread_add_method(m_server, NULL, NULL, default_handler, this);
+  }
 }
 
-OSC_server::~OSC_server()
-{
-    m_exit=true;
-    lo_server_thread_stop(m_server);
+OSC_server::~OSC_server() {
+  m_exit=true;
+  lo_server_thread_stop(m_server);
 }
 
-void OSC_server::run()
-{
-    lo_server_thread_start(m_server);
-//    while (!m_exit) usleep(1000);
+void OSC_server::run() {
+  if (!m_server) return;
+  lo_server_thread_start(m_server);
+  //    while (!m_exit) usleep(1000);
 }
 
-void OSC_server::error_handler(int num, const char *msg, const char *path)
-{
-    //cerr<<"liblo server error "<<num<<" in path "<<path<<": "<<msg<<endl;
-    cerr<<"liblo server error "<<num<<endl;
+void OSC_server::error_handler(int num, const char *msg, const char *path) {
+  //cerr<<"liblo server error "<<num<<" in path "<<path<<": "<<msg<<endl;
+  cerr<<"liblo server error "<<num<<endl;
 }
 
 int OSC_server::default_handler(const char *path, const char *types, lo_arg **argv,
-                    int argc, void *data, void *user_data)
-{
-        OSC_server *server = (OSC_server*)user_data;
+                                int argc, void *data, void *user_data) {
+  OSC_server *server = (OSC_server*)user_data;
+  if (!server) return -1;
 
-        unsigned int size = 0;
-        for (int i=0; i<argc; i++)
-        {
-                size+=lo_arg_size((lo_type)types[i],argv[i]);
-                // add one for the null terminator
-                if (types[i]=='s') size++;
-        }
-
-        char *newdata=new char[size];
-        unsigned int pos=0;
-        for (int i=0; i<argc; i++)
-        {
-                switch (types[i])
-                {
-                        case LO_INT32:
-                        {
-                                if (pos+4>COMMAND_DATA_SIZE)
-                                {
-                                        cerr<<"osc data too big for ringbuffer command"<<endl;
-                                        delete[] newdata;
-                                        return 1;
-                                }
-
-                                memcpy(newdata+pos,(char*)argv[i],4);
-                                pos+=4;
-                        }
-                        break;
-                        case LO_FLOAT:
-                        {
-                                if (pos+4>COMMAND_DATA_SIZE)
-                                {
-                                        cerr<<"osc data too big for ringbuffer command"<<endl;
-                                        delete[] newdata;
-                                        return 1;
-                                }
-
-                                memcpy(newdata+pos,(char*)argv[i],4);
-                                pos+=4;
-                        }
-                        break;
-                        case LO_STRING:
-                        {
-                                int size=strlen(&argv[i]->s);
-
-                                if (pos+size+1>COMMAND_DATA_SIZE)
-                                {
-                                        cerr<<"osc data too big for ringbuffer command"<<endl;
-                                        delete[] newdata;
-                                        return 1;
-                                }
-
-                                memcpy(newdata+pos,&argv[i]->s,size);
-                                newdata[pos+size]='\0';
-                                pos+=size+1;
-                        }
-                        break;
-                        default:
-                        {
-                                cerr<<"unsupported type: "<<types[i]<<endl;
-                                delete[] newdata;
-                                return 1;
-                        }
-                        break;
-                }
-        }
-
-        if (1)//pos==size) hmm
-        {
-                command_ring_buffer::command command(path,types,newdata,pos);
-                if (!server->m_command_ring_buffer.send(command))
-                {
-                        //cerr<<"OSC_server - ringbuffer full!"<<endl;
-                }
-        }
-        else
-        {
-                cerr<<"OSC_server::default_handler: size mismatch ["<<pos<<":"<<size<<"], not sending message"<<endl;
-        }
+  unsigned int size = 0;
+  for (int i=0; i<argc; i++) {
+    size+=lo_arg_size((lo_type)types[i],argv[i]);
+    // add one for the null terminator
+    if (types[i]=='s') size++;
+  }
 
+  char *newdata=new char[size];
+  unsigned int pos=0;
+  for (int i=0; i<argc; i++) {
+    switch (types[i]) {
+    case LO_INT32: {
+      if (pos+4>COMMAND_DATA_SIZE) {
+        cerr<<"osc data too big for ringbuffer command"<<endl;
         delete[] newdata;
-    return 1;
+        return 1;
+      }
+
+      memcpy(newdata+pos,(char*)argv[i],4);
+      pos+=4;
+    }
+      break;
+    case LO_FLOAT: {
+      if (pos+4>COMMAND_DATA_SIZE) {
+        cerr<<"osc data too big for ringbuffer command"<<endl;
+        delete[] newdata;
+        return 1;
+      }
+
+      memcpy(newdata+pos,(char*)argv[i],4);
+      pos+=4;
+    }
+      break;
+    case LO_STRING: {
+      int size=strlen(&argv[i]->s);
+
+      if (pos+size+1>COMMAND_DATA_SIZE) {
+        cerr<<"osc data too big for ringbuffer command"<<endl;
+        delete[] newdata;
+        return 1;
+      }
+
+      memcpy(newdata+pos,&argv[i]->s,size);
+      newdata[pos+size]='\0';
+      pos+=size+1;
+    }
+      break;
+    default: {
+      cerr<<"unsupported type: "<<types[i]<<endl;
+      delete[] newdata;
+      return 1;
+    }
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (1) { //pos==size) hmm
+    
+    command_ring_buffer::command command(path,types,newdata,pos);
+    if (!server->m_command_ring_buffer.send(command))  {
+      //cerr<<"OSC_server - ringbuffer full!"<<endl;
+    }
+  }
+  else {
+    cerr<<"OSC_server::default_handler: size mismatch ["<<pos<<":"<<size<<"], not sending message"<<endl;
+  }
+
+  delete[] newdata;
+  return 1;
 }
diff --git a/brain/src/spiralcore/OSC_server.h b/brain/src/spiralcore/OSC_server.h
index fd5e057..afd5092 100644
--- a/brain/src/spiralcore/OSC_server.h
+++ b/brain/src/spiralcore/OSC_server.h
@@ -24,20 +24,21 @@
 class OSC_server
 {
 public:
-	OSC_server(const std::string &port);
-	~OSC_server();
-
-	void run();
-	bool get(command_ring_buffer::command& command) { return m_command_ring_buffer.get(command);}
-
+  OSC_server(const std::string &port);
+  ~OSC_server();
+  
+  void run();
+  bool get(command_ring_buffer::command& command) { return m_command_ring_buffer.get(command);}
+  bool ok() { return m_server!=NULL; }
+  
 private:
-	static int default_handler(const char *path, const char *types, lo_arg **argv, int argc, void *data, void *user_data);
-	static void error_handler(int num, const char *m, const char *path);
+  static int default_handler(const char *path, const char *types, lo_arg **argv, int argc, void *data, void *user_data);
+  static void error_handler(int num, const char *m, const char *path);
 
-	lo_server_thread m_server;
-    std::string m_port;
-	bool m_exit;
-	command_ring_buffer m_command_ring_buffer;
+  lo_server_thread m_server;
+  std::string m_port;
+  bool m_exit;
+  command_ring_buffer m_command_ring_buffer;
 };
 
 #endif
diff --git a/brain/src/status.cpp b/brain/src/status.cpp
index 4fc07ec..de90912 100644
--- a/brain/src/status.cpp
+++ b/brain/src/status.cpp
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ using namespace std;
 
 lo_address status::m_address = lo_address_new_from_url("osc.udp://localhost:8890");
 
+void status::set_port(const std::string &port) {
+  status::m_address = lo_address_new_from_url(string("osc.udp://localhost:"+port).c_str());
+}
+
 void status::_update(const std::string &msg) {
     lo_send(m_address,"/report","s",msg.c_str());
 }
diff --git a/brain/src/status.h b/brain/src/status.h
index 0add04f..ea5c05c 100644
--- a/brain/src/status.h
+++ b/brain/src/status.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ namespace spiralcore {
 
 class status {
 public:
+  static void set_port(const std::string &port);
   static void _update(const std::string &msg);
   static void update(const char *msg, ...);
   static void sound_item(const std::string &name, const std::string &colour);