Smith College CSC354: Spring, 2013, Lab1

Learning to Use Pure Data (pd)

If you want to download your own version of pure data
Click here for the instructions
    1. Trying out patches in pure data
      1. Open Pure Data (pd-extended) either from the programs menu (pc) or on the dock or in the Applications folder (mac)
      2. Try the examples below. If you do not hear anything, go up and click on pd in the menu bar, Pd->Preferences->Audio Settings
        And beside Output Device - Built-in Audio, enter 2 channels (it may be 0).
        • pd=> Help=>help browser=>Manuals=>0.Intro/=>01.hello_world.pd
        • pd=> Help=>Help Browser=>Manuals=>02.audio_data.pd
        • pd =>Help=>Help Browser=>Pure Data=>3.audio.examplesA07.fusion.pd
        • pd =>Help=>Help Browser=>Pure Data=>3.audio.examplesB01.wavetables.pd
        • pd =>Help=>Help Browser=>Pure Data=>3.audio.examplesB07.sampler.pd
      3. pd =>Help=>Help Browser=>Pure Data=> 2. Control examples, and try out examples 01 through 04 (click twice to select)
        Make sure to read the text in these examples.
    2. Make your own patch in pd
      1. Now follow instructions in Section 2.1.1 of Johannes Kreidler's on-line text. (Stop at 2.2.2).
        The text below iterates the first example.
        In the file menu of your patch, choose Save-as and save it as lab1.pd (all lower-case). If you are using a Smith PC machine, save it in your H:/ drive.
      2. Change to Edit-mode, either by typing Ctrl-e or Command-e (pc vs. mac) or by going into the Edit menu and choosing Edit mode. (Note: Ctrl-e toggles back and forth: in edit mode and out of edit mode).
      3. Now, under the PUT menu, choose Number and you'll see a blue number box that follows your mouse until you click. You can still drag it wherever you want it. Place it above the osc~ object. (You can drag the other objects around one by one or drag to hightlight a few and reposition the bunch).
      4. At the top of a number box or object, there are inlets. At the bottom, there are outlets. Connect the outlet of the number box to the left inlet (also called the hot inlet) of the osc~ object.
      5. Important Note: Document your work:
        Now, PUT a comment by the number box that says
        <-- change frequency here
        
        By following the instructions in this comment, the user (you) can change the frequency with the mouse.
      6. Leave edit mode (Ctrl-e) and test the patch.
    3. In the file menu of your patch, save the patch (all part of lab1.pd).
    4. Now carefully read and try out the Help->Browser ->Pure Data-> control example-> 05.
    5. Next, add a counter to your lab1 as follows:
      1. Copy the counter from Help->Browser ->Pure Data->Control-example 05 into your lab1.pd patch. You may want to clear out some of the comments first to make room for it. To delete something, make sure you are in edit mode (the cursor is a hand) and highlight the comment to delete and the hit Backspace.

        To copy and paste, highlight over the objects you want to copy then do Ctrl-C to copy and then Ctrl-V to paste them (or Command-c and Command-v on the Mac).

        When you paste, pd puts the objects near the copied object so next, drag the objects so they are parallel to your osc~ and dac~ objects. Notice that the connections between objects stretch for you.
      2. Connect the outlet of the number box of the counter into the inlet of the number box you have been using to change the frequency.
      3. Click ON.
      4. Click on the Bang message box and wait (a message box looks like a flag).
      5. Click OFF when you are ready.
    6. Read Section 2.2.3 (Time Operations) of Kreidler's on-line text, and Implement Applications in section 2.2.3.2 (Automatic Random Melody, Glissando, and the Combination). The Combination can be done with two copy and pastes and a little editing. Keep all three applications intact in lab1.pd and save the patch.