FAQ for Pd

What is Pd? by Frank Barknecht — last modified 2012-06-18 09:10 AM

 

What is puredata.info? by Frank Barknecht — last modified 2008-05-04 09:29 PM

 

What do I need to run Pd? by Frank Barknecht — last modified 2008-05-04 09:29 PM

 

Can I use Pd to run patches written in Max/MSP? by Frank Barknecht — last modified 2010-12-21 09:02 PM

 

How do I get more accurate timing from metro? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-07 10:00 AM

 

How do I get better quality audio out of my computer? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-04 09:29 PM

 

How do I accumulate (or sum) audio outlets of several modules without so many connections? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-07 10:00 AM

 

Can I use Pd to run Max/MSP externals? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-07 10:00 AM

 

Can I run Pd on GNU/Linux? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2012-12-28 08:22 PM

 

Can I use Pd with plugins? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2010-11-29 10:02 PM

 

Where can i get get answers to all my questions? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-04 09:30 PM

 

How do I install Pd on Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2022-05-13 10:24 AM

 

How do I install Pd on MacOS X? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2009-01-07 10:07 PM

 

How do I install Pd on RedHat GNU/Linux? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-04 09:30 PM

 

How do I install Pd on Windows? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2012-12-26 03:34 AM

 

How do I un/subscribe from the mailing list? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-04 09:30 PM

 

How do I write my own Pd externals (or [objects])? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2018-02-26 09:13 PM

 

How much does Pd cost? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-04 09:29 PM

 

Where can I find a list of all the native objects in pd? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-07 10:01 AM

 

How do I make a local array? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-09-14 11:38 PM

 

How do I make a local variable? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-09-14 11:39 PM

 

How can I lower latency? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-04 09:29 PM

and what is this 'latency' everybody keeps talking about?

How do I record and playback from hard disk? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-07 10:02 AM

 

How do i compile a Pd-patch to run as a stand-alone application? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2009-05-22 04:42 PM

 

Can I send data to Pd from other application using MIDI? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2012-12-26 03:05 AM

Can I send data to Pd from other application using MIDI? or is it only possible with OSC?

What are Pd's command line options? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2014-10-12 05:51 PM

 

What are the various Pd distros? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-04 09:30 PM

 

Windows doesn't use a .pdrc, what do I use on Windows? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-04 09:30 PM

 

How can I store startup options so that they are loaded every time I start Pd? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2016-01-26 08:40 PM

 

What is the difference between Pd, Max/MSP, and jMax? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2017-03-25 06:50 PM

 

What is the difference between the [list] and [pack] objects? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-07 10:02 AM

What is the difference between the [list] and [pack] objects? Which is the best to use if I want to generate a [X Y( message ?

What is the largest integer that Pd can represent? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-07 10:02 AM

 

What is the .pdrc file and how do I use it? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2010-05-11 06:32 PM

 

What platforms does Pd run on? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-04 09:30 PM

 

When I run Pd, the 'Network is unreachable' ? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-04 09:30 PM

 

Where can I download Pd and related software? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-04 09:30 PM

 

Where can I get Pd documentation? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-06 12:35 PM

 

What is the difference between the [pd] and [page] objects? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2013-10-18 08:09 PM

 

How do I edit a FAQ entry? by Frank Barknecht — last modified 2012-11-30 02:30 PM

I've spotted an error in an answer. How do I edit and correct it?

How do I create a FAQ entry? by Frank Barknecht — last modified 2008-05-12 11:26 AM

There is a question missing although many people asked about it. How do I add a FAQ?

What is a FAQ? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-06 02:21 PM

What's this all about?

I don't hear any sound! by IOhannes — last modified 2014-01-22 11:25 AM

I thought Pd as about making sounds. But I don't hear anything!

Why does everything sound so 'weird'? by IOhannes — last modified 2008-05-07 10:18 AM

There are clicks, glitches or crackles everywhere, even in the test tone!

Why does everything sound so 'distorted'? by IOhannes — last modified 2008-05-07 10:19 AM

I get a constant sound (no clicks or glitches), but it sounds distorted.

How do I get audio input? by IOhannes — last modified 2014-01-22 11:34 AM

I can playback audio just fine, but there seems to be no sound coming INTO Pd.

How do I make MIDI work? by IOhannes — last modified 2012-12-26 03:12 AM

I want to receive MIDI data from my keyboard ... How do I do that?

Why can't I create an object? by IOhannes — last modified 2008-05-07 10:25 AM

I get the message "... couldn't create" when I type an object's name and there's a dashed line around my object!

Why can't objects be created? by IOhannes — last modified 2008-05-07 10:26 AM

I get the message "... couldn't create" when I open a patch and there's a dashed line around my object!

Why do I get an error when connecting two objects? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-07 10:30 AM

I get the message "error: signal outlet connect to nonsignal inlet (ignored)" when I open a patch.

Why can't I connect two objects? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-07 10:31 AM

I get the message "error: can't connect signal outlet to control inlet" and I cannot connect two objects together!

What's a "DSP-loop"? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2014-01-22 11:33 AM

I get the message "error: DSP loop detected (some tilde objects not scheduled)" when I click "Audio ON", and the sound is not working!

What's a "stack overflow"? by IOhannes m zmoelnig — last modified 2008-05-07 10:38 AM

I get the message "error: stack overflow" when I connect two objects together!

How do I run Pd from the command line? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2008-05-12 11:25 AM

 

How is Pd spelled? by Frank Barknecht — last modified 2008-05-12 11:30 PM

I'm confused: I've seen people write "Pd", "PD", "pd", "Pure Data", "pure data", "PureData" and then some. Is there an official way to spell Pd?

How do I install externals and help files with Pd-extended? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2010-11-21 04:51 AM

 

Gem is crashing X11 in GNU/Linux when using the fglrx graphics driver by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2013-10-18 08:11 PM

 

What about GEM? by student — last modified 2008-07-01 09:09 AM

Where can I get answers for GEM related questions?

On GNU/Linux, the fonts are strange and/or too big or small by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2011-05-28 02:08 AM

 

How do I report a bug? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2008-07-09 08:27 PM

 

When I upgraded to Pd-extended 0.40.3, it stopped loading all of the libraries. by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2009-04-09 12:46 PM

 

How do I fix this error: "Library not loaded: /usr/X11R6/lib/libX11.6.dylib"? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2008-11-14 11:18 PM

 

How do I download the flext binaries that used to be included in Pd-extended? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2009-06-20 08:48 PM

 

How do I access the pure-data source code repositories? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2013-10-18 05:52 PM

 

What is Pd-extended? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2010-01-22 05:21 PM

 

How is Pd-extended different from Pure Data by Miller Puckette (aka Pd-vanilla)? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2009-08-18 03:29 PM

 

Is Pd-extended compatible with Pd-vanilla (by Miller Puckette)? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2009-08-18 03:31 PM

 

Why use Pd-extended when Pd Vanilla already exists? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2017-03-02 12:29 AM

 

How do I install externals and help files? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2017-08-16 04:24 PM

 

How do I install GUI plugins? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2011-07-02 12:36 AM

 

How do I use pd -stderr on Windows? by Hans-Christoph Steiner — last modified 2011-10-12 06:27 PM

How can I output all of the Pd windows messages to the terminal or to a file?

how can i delete a FAQ entry? by student — last modified 2012-11-10 11:39 AM

i've created a FAQ entry that i want to remove. How?

Pd does not launch. by Max Neupert — last modified 2012-12-25 04:30 PM

On OS X the icon in bouncing in the Dock but then stops and Pure Data is not starting.

How do I get an acceptable performance and latency on the MS Windows platform? by Max Neupert — last modified 2013-06-02 02:47 PM

I've Installed Pure Data (or Pd-extended) on Windows and I have to set the buffer (delay) to more than 100ms to avoid audio drop outs (crackling). What can I do to achieve a proper latency in Pd on Microsoft Windows?

Why doesn't audio work when I start Pd in -nogui mode? by Dan Wilcox — last modified 2013-03-02 08:05 PM

When I start Pd from the commandline without the GUI in -nogui mode, it can't connect to the soundcard and no dsp seems to happen?

Help! Pd crashes on startup on Mac OSX 10.7+ by Dan Wilcox — last modified 2016-03-16 01:15 AM

<p>Is Pd crashing on startup and you're using Mac OSX 10.7 or greater (Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, etc)? This might be happening since newer versions of OSX save the window state when apps are closed and reopen them for you. This can be bad for Pd if there is a clash over resources (sockets, etc) when trying to open patches too quickly or simultaneously.</p>

How can I set permissions to read HID devices on GNU/Linux? by Dan Wilcox — last modified 2013-10-18 11:37 PM

<p>The Pd-extended [hid] object allows you to access Human Interface Devices such as mice, keyboards, and joysticks. However, in most Linux distributions, these devices are setup to where they cannot be read directly by Pd unless you run it as root.</p> <p>Running a non-system process as root is considered a security risk, so an alternative is to change the permissions of the input devices so that pd can read them.</p>

How to add aliases for Pd scripting on Mac OSX by Dan Wilcox — last modified 2013-10-18 11:38 PM

<p>I wanted to be able to use some shell scripts using Pd I wrote in Linux on MacOSX, but the shell (Terminal) session does not know how to launch binaries from within Application Bundles.</p> <p>On Linux, I can start pd by typing "pd" and hitting enter. On Mac OSX, I can start the Pd App by typing "open -a Pd-extended" ... but I'd rather be able access the pd binary within the bundle directly so one script can work in Linux and OSX.</p>

How can I run Pd with realtime priority on GNU/Linux? by Dan Wilcox — last modified 2013-10-18 11:38 PM

<p>In Linux, Pd can be run as a real time process by the root user, resulting in far fewer audio drop outs (clicks). Essentially, the operating system gives the Pd process more time to work without being interrupted by other programs.</p> <p>Running non-system programs as root, however, is considered a security risk and is obviously not an option if the user doesn't have administrator access. Luckily, there is a system config file that accepts options for priority settings.</p>

Is Pd-Extended dead? What are the alternatives? by ATP — last modified 2017-03-02 12:34 AM

 

How to Download Externals from Pd Vanilla (a.k.a. 'deken')? by ATP — last modified 2017-03-02 12:35 AM