JyK Blog

Workshop: Switch from PureData!

During this one-day workshop we will focus on the free software
SuperCollider and show why programming with syntax can be both easier
and superior to patching in graphical environments.  This session
offers a great chance for beginners as well as seasoned users of other
synthesis environments to get a taste of the features that make
SuperCollider such a flexible and powerful tool. While not intended as a
full introduction to this synthesis environment, it will function as a
preparatory session for the series of seminars that we are preparing
for after the summer, as they will all be using this mighty synthesis
tool.

It is unfortunate that code or syntax often scares artists and
musicians at first sight. We will try to cure this fear by showing
fairly simple examples of how SuperCollider can  be used to produce
music and sound much more dynamically than the static and deceitfully
easy patching paradigm. PureData or MAX/MSP build a static synthesis
network, in which generators and effects have their specific place in a
patch, thus each change requires a rebuild of the complete signal
chain. With SuperCollider, it’s easier to dynamically add changes to
the signal chain and reorder the network. Sound objects (synths, nodes)
can be created on the fly while remaining very CPU efficient.

Topics will include envelopes, patterns, granular synthesis and  
networked music. These are specifically chosen to show how 
SuperCollider is a very dynamic system where things easily are replaced
on the fly or adapted to varying number of sound channels, the kind of
things that are cumbersome or hard to do in PureData or similar
environments.

Familiarity with basic computer music concepts like filters and
envelopes is required, knowledge of some patching system like PD or
MAX/MSP is a plus.

The workshop will be led by Fredrik Olofsson and taught in English.  

Things needed:

• Laptop running Linux, OS X or Windows

• SuperCollider 3 installed

• Headphones

Time Schedule: Friday 13.05.2011, 17:00-22:00h

Location: Hangar. Passatge Marquès de Santa Isabel, 40. Metro Poble Nou. Barcelona.

Price: 20 €

To sign up, please email info@lullcec.org.