Audio Programming

Pure Data – real-time graphical programming environment

Pure Data (or Pd) is a real-time graphical programming environment for audio, video, and graphical processing. Pure Data is commonly used for live music performance, VeeJaying, sound effects, composition, audio analysis, interfacing with sensors, using cameras, controlling robots or even interacting with websites. It sports a rich set of real-time control and I/O features.

To carry out its programming functions, Pd uses visual objects that the user places and alters on the screen. These visual objects, small boxes that can be connected to each other, are a throwback to analogue studios that were used to produce electronic music before the advent of computers: various devices are connected to each other using lines that symbolize physical connections between the boxes.

It provides a step-sequencer pattern editor and previewer, database, sample browser, neural network, pattern morphs, statistics and probabilistic pattern generator.

Pd runs on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X, as well as mobile platforms like iOS and Android.

Features include:

  • Data flow programming language.
  • Supports 4 basic types of text entities: messages, objects, atoms, and comments.
  • Graphical data structures.
  • Natively designed to enable live collaboration across networks or the Internet.
  • Uses FUDI as a networking protocol.

Website: puredata.info
Support: Forums, Mailing Lists
Developer: James McCartney and many others
License: GNU GPL v2

Pure Data is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

Return to Make Music Home Page | Return to Audio Programming Languages Home Page


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