SuperCollider Sounds, Interactive Visuals

By Simon KatanFor Openlab Workshops

http://openlabworkshops.org

What we will do on this course

• Use SuperCollider to generate sounds• Learn some synthesis techniques• Learn how to get SuperCollider to receive

instructions from another application• Add sounds to a customisable, open source

video game

What is SuperCollider ?It’s a very advanced modular synthesizer

Unlike this old Moog modular system, you can use SuperCollider for almost any kind of synthesis technique and can run hundreds of synths at the same time as it’s also

very efficient. Nevertheless many of the principles are the same as with old analogue synthesis.

But also …It’s a very advanced sequencer

You probably won’t have used this vintage Alesis MMT8 but you may have used sequencing software such as Garage Band, Cubase, Reason, or Logic. SuperCollider is much more advanced than these. For example you could make Supercollider play a Bach Fugue but randomly change instruments for each note. Or if you’re clever enough, get it to perpetually make up it’s own fugues based on Bach’s original subjects.

Sequencers tell electronic

instruments what sounds to

make when.

But also…

• Has its own GUI.• Can receive control data via MIDI and OSC

from external devices and programs.• Analyse sound in real time• Has huge set of mathematical and

compositional functions• It’s great !

What people use SuperCollider for ?

• Creating custom sounds - maybe for later use in another program like Ardour, Cubase or

Logic.

• Advanced sequencing – complex rhythms with very precise control of parameters.

• Algorithmic composition - not just ‘play this tune’ but perhaps get the computer to decide what note to play next according to certain rules.

What people use SuperCollider for ?

• Instrument building• Interactive Installations

– making sound on the fly

• Sound design for dance and theatre –respond to flexible cues

• Sound design for computer games ?...- iPhone apps like TOPLAP

SC Architecture

SC Lang(Client)

SC Synth(Server)

A programming language – our way of telling

SuperCollider what to do

Messages sent via OSC

The bit that actually makes the

sound

The interface

Lets make some sound

• Boot the localhost server (wait for “notification is on” in the post window

• Turn your volume to 50% !• Type “ {SinOsc.ar}.play; ” in the file window• Press shift + return to start the sound (make

sure the cursor is still on the same line)• Press + ‘.’ to stop it !⌘

It doesn’t work ?!Don’t worry errors are normal ! They’re usually just typos. SuperCollider will try to help you - look at the post window.

Understanding waves and soundFrequency (Hz/ Cycles Per Second):- How fast the wave is moving. - How many peaks per second. - How fast the speaker cone goes in or out. - The higher the frequency the higher the sound we hear.

Amplitude (Db): - The height of the wave.- How far the speaker cones go in and out. - The bigger the amplitude the louder the sound we perceive

Phase (radians) :- Where the wave starts- Doesn’t affect sound unless

there is more than one wave.

Example waves

}}}

High and low frequencies

High and low amplitudes

Different phase values

Getting Help1. Highlight just the name of the synth/message you want help with (not the .ar/.kr or other bits).2. Type ⌘+d.3. The relevant help window should pop up.

Also…• You can also search the documentation by going

to Help->Browse and Search documentation.• Have a look in the UGens section. Cut and paste

the examples into your file window and try them out. (Tour_of_Ugens is a great place to start).