dddd: Closing the Abstraction Gap in Pure Data for Computer-Aided Composition
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33871/vortex.2026.14.12468Keywords:
Computer-Aided Composition, Pure Data, Bach LibraryAbstract
Composers think in terms of chords, gestures, time/rhythmic, and forms—not networks of pack and unpack objects. This article argues that the primary contribution of dddd is to return time to musical thinking within Pure Data (Pd). The library introduces a Lua-based abstraction layer that enables hierarchical structures to be manipulated as first-class musical entities, reducing the accidental complexity described by Brooks (1987). The approach is demonstrated through two libraries: pd-bhack, designed for Computer-Assisted Composition (CAC) and symbolic notation inspired by OpenMusic, and pd-upic, dedicated to graphical representations based on Iannis Xenakis's UPIC system. While bringing Pd closer to environments such as Max (through BACH) and OpenMusic, dddd preserves Pd's native programming model and can be compiled for the Web via pd4web, expanding its potential for interactive, educational, and research applications.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Charles Klippel Neimog
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