2014-Apr-29: Intro to Pure Data for Artists

Programming for New Media Artists

Devices

ranked from easiest to hardest

• Computer: Windows, OSX, Linux
• Microcontroller: Arduino, BASIC Stamp
• Web:
• Phone: Android, iOS

Languages

Structure of a language

• Procedural
• Object Oriented
• Data flow

Computer

not listed in any particular order

• Processing:
  • A text-based language based on Java.
  • This is great for visuals but its core does not support sound.
  • The tutorials and examples are wonderful, with tons of interactive help
  • Open Source: runs on Linux

• Pure Data:
  • Graphically based
  • Draw a diagram of what you want
  • Data flow
  • Open Source: runs on Linux
  • Originally audio only. Supports video with extended library (Gem)
• Max/MSP
  • commercial cousin of Pure Data
  • Larger user base than Pure Data
  • will not run on Linux
• SuperCollider
  • Text based, powerful for sound
  • Not sure if it supports video
• Csound
  • The grandaddy audio synthesis language
  • Supports some video with extensions.
  • Not the best starter language?
• Open Frameworks
  • The fastest, bestest, and hardest
  • Usually overkill
  • Runs on everything including your phone
  • Open Source: runs on Linux

Microcontroller

• Arduino
  • great for simple sensors (proximity, motion, light)
  • often interfaced to a computer. Hooks up to any language easily

Web

• html5/Javascript

Phone

• libPd with Java/Objective C
• html5/Cordova
• Open Frameworks

Let's Pd it!

• Pd Video Tutorial Part I
• workshop: play play play!
• Audio:
  • [osc~], array, volume, [metro], [bang(
  • build a scratcher
  • workshop
• Pd Video Tutorial Part II
• Pd Video Tutorial Part III
• Advanced concepts (may cover none, some, but not all of):
  • Pd examples at Wichita Patcher's Circle
  • motion tracking
  • color tracking
  • pmpd
  • interfacing with the arduino and friends
  • Kinect
  • Pitch shifting
  • dynamic patching