Today I learned how to make basic sequencer boxes using the select object in Pure Data. It’s basically a way of routing numbers: you send it an integer, and when that number matches one of its arguments, it spits out a bang. It makes step-based sequencing pretty easy once you see it working.
I tried combining select with random, which is actually really useful. Random spits out a number in a range, and select only reacts to the ones you care about, so you can make simple probability systems or trigger specific sounds when random hits the right value.
I also got more comfortable with storing numbers and cycling them. Using int, +, and % gives you a loop you can control. +1 increments the counter, % keeps it within a range (like 0–4 or 1–5), and the number box just shows you what’s happening so you don’t get lost. It’s all really basic math but it helps keep everything predictable.
Message boxes tie it all together. They store instructions like “1” for readsf~, or file paths for samples, and you just trigger them with bangs. Once select or the counter sends the bang, the message fires and the sound happens.
Overall today was mostly about understanding how these simple logic objects work together: select to filter numbers, random to generate them, % to loop them, + to move them forward, and message boxes to actually trigger things. Once you get that, you can build little sequencers and behaviours pretty quickly.
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