I have been attempting to create some music with Pd for about two weeks. It is difficult to understand the theory of the program and to solve issues (errors, patches that are downloaded and don't work as they should etc.). Although I appreciate the flexibility, there is what I would term a "steep learning curve" here. I'm not sure how long I can pursue before I have to find an easier way to get to the things I want to do. Ultimately I am in it for the music and the programming part is a tool. I wish there was clearer documentation so that I could get simple answers. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

It's true that there's quite some learning curve with pd. I've needed 2 attempts to get into it. The first attempt I was rather impatient and was overwelmed by all possibilities and got nowhere. The second time i've given myself about a month time of really trying. What I've noticed is that it helps if you know exactly what you want to achieve. Sometimes it can be better to limit yourself to try to implement just 1 simple idea, instead of trying to get to grips with everything at the same time. So if you have something in your mind and you really don't know where to get started, just post it here and people will try to help you out.

@domien said:

What I've noticed is that it helps if you know exactly what you want to achieve.

This is great advice.

I found that the best way to learn Pd is to start with a clear, simple goal in mind. If possible, break this goal down further into its components and work on one component at a time until you have achieved your goal.

Repeat.

The FLOSS manual is a great place to get started. I didn't discover it until about a year after I started using Pd, but I wish I'd found it sooner. It definitely would've saved me some time.

http://en.flossmanuals.net/puredata

Thank you pd123 and domien these are encouraging words and may be just what I need to get things to happen. I'll give your advice a try iso don't be surprised if you see some specific questions come your way.
multijd

Hi, now i have one little problem on win 7: i can't open any patch via help browser, it stopped working. When i click any of control or audio examples, or any other - nothing happens. Is there any way to sort this problem? Tried reinstall, but didn't helped.

In my experience, I couldn't even use max because it was a lagging crash fiesta. Get Pd because it is awesome.

Here is my experience...

im learning pd before i buy max/msp , since pd is a lot like max but free and there is a whole lot more documentation on PD than max, and the people who developed PD are the same people developing MAX (from what ive read) i figured id learn PD before buying MAX.

This has a lot to do with me buying Reaktor 5 before i learned programming and hated myself for years for that and ended up using the library and almost never opened reaktor after that.

After about 3 or 4 months of annoying reading on PD im on my way to building my first FM synthesis drum machine so yay! i dont feel so stupid now and studying on PD is making me understand Reaktor 5 so im guessing itll help me with max/msp as well.

so take it from someone who made an idiotic choice on purchasing software about 2 years ago based on who is using it, being a fan of richard devine and datachi and electroacoustic music.
Software wont make you sound great only studying hard will.
PD is a great place to start and im guessing itll be a great place to stay...

hope this helps.

I'm not famous but my new CD will contain many uses of Pd

also check out the article I wrote on my switch from OS X -> Linux

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2009/08/04/linux-music-workflow-switching-from-mac-os-x-to-ubuntu-with-kim-cascone/

i was thinking about purchasing a new mac and the prices made me think twice but the article is making me think thrice.
From what i read on the comments Linux handles supercollider, pd and reaktor! im definetly considering Linux but im not strong in the programming department i wouldnt want to get tangled in the programming to make it stable and then start producing sounds... i need to read more about Linux before i say anything or make a desition.

thanks

@Roaramburu: you will probably do more fixing the tweaking in Windows than Linux...you can also try Linux from a DVD or usb stick before installing it

http://lifehacker.com/5469575/why-linux-mint-might-be-a-better-beginners-linux-than-ubuntu

@anechoic said:

I'm not famous but my new CD will contain many uses of Pd

also check out the article I wrote on my switch from OS X -> Linux

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2009/08/04/linux-music-workflow-switching-from-mac-os-x-to-ubuntu-with-kim-cascone/

Great! I have Linux/Windos/OSX installed. I discover GNU/Linux 8 years ago. If your favorite software is on Linux, use linux!
Kim, the other day I discover your work, searching for MAX/MSP music. Great to see you here. Im new to MAX/PD, as a MAX user, what do you think of PD?

I stopped using Max/MSP at version 4.6.x so I never made the switch to Max5 although I have been using M5 to port a vintage studio app to Pd. There are things I really like about Pd but it did take a little while to warm up to the UI and certain quirks. Other than that I'm very happy with it and have been using it everyday for the past 6 months or so for various projects I've been working on.

@anechoic said:

I stopped using Max/MSP at version 4.6.x so I never made the switch to Max5 although I have been using M5 to port a vintage studio app to Pd.

Was this patch written in Max 4.6 or 5? It used to be that before Max5 you could just change the extension of Max patches to .pd and open them in Pd. The file format was ridiculously similar. And the cyclone/maxmode stuff made it even more compatible. You'd still probably have to do some editing, but it would still be less work than repatching everything by hand. Max5's file format is much different, though.

PdX can open max patches but it tends to mangle subpatches depending on the complexity of the Max patch -- I tried opening the vintage studio patch and it was a mess

How to connect gemmouse with hslider? I want when I move the mouse, to move sound too.

I know this is an old post, but I would like to say something, please.
I'm non native english, you know what I mean...
Well, electronic music is my life. I'll never be famous for make money doing it, but I already knew that from the beginning. I just work on another jobs to eat, such is life.
But I insist, is not a hobby for me, it's my lifestyle.
My advice:
Think about what really you want and how much are you willing to risk.
When I think on my gnu/linux computer with pd I can only smile and appreciate their absolute freedom, and always music and freedom go hand in hand. But remember, freedom was never the easy way. Think about that.
I hope I have helped you snowball and not being too pedantic.

totally agree with you. macrogmittrei.

electronic dance music only became really popular because people wanted freedom and risked some dubious laws to party.

freedom and individual expression is paramount.

Thanks mod.
Electronic dance music is like a tribal dance, just that we have adapted the sounds to our time. If you are at the right club (or wherever) the right night, just be amazed and can not leave this electronic-world anymore.
Its base is almost as old as humans and simple, but for many electronic music is something cool and sophisticated.

Sorry for edit this, but I forget explain something about my previous words.
What I want to explain is that the least important is who is on stage, but the experience. Many times I see how people presumed to have gone to a club to see a very famous dj, but all they done all night was sit in front of dj, recording a video with their mobiles.
When I see that, I feel they have not understood anything.

Thanks for listening a long life to pure data!