Designing Sound

Pure Data Wavetable Synth – Part 6

More of those deceptively “small” changes.

Despite all of this, I’m still relatively new at Pure Data and the Max language. To those who chime in with corrections or clarifications in the comments, you are most appreciated! If you’re new to PD, make sure you check the comments section for clarifying info provided by generous souls.

In the last tutorial in this series, we achieved MIDI control of playback. It would be nice to have some of the features built into our MIDI controllers. So, today we’ll be implementing pitch bend and modulation…as those are two features common to most controllers. If you haven’t finished the other projects in this series yet, then I strongly suggest you do so before tackling today’s projects.

Let’s begin by adding pitch bend. Read More

Pure Data Wavetable Synth – Part 5

Finally….PLAYBACK!

Despite all of this, I’m still relatively new at Pure Data and the Max language. To those who chime in with corrections or clarifications in the comments, you are most appreciated! If you’re new to PD, make sure you check the comments section for clarifying info provided by generous souls.

So far we’ve imported a file, created the controls necessary to select the parameters of the wavetable sample we’re going to pull out of that file, and actually constructed the sample we’re going to use for playback. We’re finally ready to implement some MIDI control and listen to what we’ve done thus far! As before, this is all assuming you’ve read and completed parts 1 through 4. Before we open up our patch, we need to configure PureData to look at our MIDI controller. Read More

Zoom H6 Handy Recorder Announced

Zoom H6 and attachments

Making the rounds in some audio circles on the internet this morning is the announcement of the Zoom H6 Handy Recorder.

Zoom’s news post abut the device is a bit spartan but the interchangeable mics including a Mid-Side as well as the ability to record 6 channels is eye-catching.  Specs:

• The world’s first handy recorder with interchangeable mic system
• XY mics capture remarkable stereo depth and clarity
• Mid-side mics provide continuously variable stereo width
• Four XLR/TRS inputs for external mic/line connections
• Up to six channels of simultaneous recording
• High-definition audio of up to 24-bit/96kHz
• 6-in/2-out USB audio interface
• Over 20 hours of operation with 4 AA batteries
• Supports SDXC memory cards up to 128GB
• Optional Shotgun mic and external XLR/TRS inputs available

4 AA batteries might mean better battery life over the Zoom H4n or it could just be compensating for the additional XLR inputs drawing phantom power. The color screen with level meters is a welcome addition over the H4n.

Also be sure to check out a video here by audiofanzine taking a look at the Zoom H6 in person at Musikmesse 2013. And Zoom’s own news post here.

An Intimidating Start

One of the things I remember most when I opened up Pure Data for the first time a few years ago was being terrified. A blank and intimidating window stared back at me. I then jumped to Max/MSP, which was a bit easier (because of the interface), but it was still the same problem – where in the world do I begin? Its tough to start any project from absolutely nowhere. Youtube and text tutorials online only terrified me further. Its normal. Its the same reaction I get from friends or students attempting to patch for the first time.

Software like Max and Pure Data force you to think of sound as data and by manipulating data you can design things. The fun begins when you start using data that isn’t sound to design or control sound. It opens up a whole new world of interfacing. For most of us coming from DAW backgrounds, its a tough concept to get our heads around. What if you can sidechain anything in a mixer to anything?

The common question when trying to learn such software is, where to begin? There are loads of tutorials online, lots of amazing books and softwares like Max include a great help section as a good starting point. But, probably the best way to learn (from my experience) is by beginning to patch. Err..how do you patch without knowing how to patch?

Its probably a good idea to start with an…idea. Something simple. How about maths? Maths is usually scary, but not if its simple addition. We can all add with our fingers (I hope). I used to be horrible at maths. Pure Data and Max have not only helped me get better at maths (I don’t need my fingers in most cases now) but also helped me learn more conventional programming languages like Java.

So.. back to the idea. Its tough to start from nowhere. Let’s start with something simple like the addition of two numbers. Adding 3 and 5 should result in 8. 3 + 5 = 8. If we have to implement this in Max (its the exact same in Pure Data):

Read More