Pure Data & GEM Workshop

Presented by STEIM - Lecturer: Florian Grote

7 Apr 2008
10 Apr 2008

Pure Data (Pd) is a free and open source programming environment for music composition, sound installations, and live performance. Its high-level approach to programming by patching together graphical building blocks does not require any actual coding to achieve sophisticated audio functionality. As Pd is very similar to Max/MSP, the creative process is one of networking logical relations rather than engineering signal processing algorithms, although the same complexity can be achieved.

The workshop will start with a thorough, two-day introduction to creative audio work in Pd, and then expand its focus on the GEM extension library for Pd. With GEM, sophisticated tools for visualization are available directly inside Pd, and their handling is not different from the audio-related elements. This enables Pd users to seamlessly integrate their own visuals into their musical performances or installations, as well as to get creative with the user interfaces for their instruments.

Enlarge

20071203pdgem.gif -

Course cost: €200
Registration is required for this workshop and can only be done through www.steim.nl. Please register early to ensure a place. Places are limited to 12.

The workshop will take place from Monday, April 7 through Thursday, April 10. Included is an afternoon with special STEIM presentations on junXion, LiSa and the junXionboard to place Pd in a STEIM context.

The goal of the workshop is to equip participants with a substantial basis for their own creative explorations. This will be achieved by combining lecture sections with assisted work on individual projects.

The workshop will be open to address individual interests and is generally directed towards:
- composers who want to take a more interactive approach to composition,
- live performers who want to start designing their own instruments, complete with innovative approaches towards user interface design,
- installation artists who want to explore the possibilities of Pd in combination with the GEM extension library.

Participants should ideally have some background in working with digital audio on their computer platform. For the workshop, a computer running Mac OS X, Windows, or Linux is required. If you are unable to bring a computer, please let us know and we will try to accommodate you.

Florian Grote studied cultural sciences at the University of Lueneburg, with majors in music and computer sciences. He is involved in various projects in electronic music and media art and teaches studio production techniques as well as interface design strategies. He is currently conducting research for his PhD in the field of music sociology.

More information on Pd:
puredata.info

More information on Florian Grote:
fgrote.wordpress.com