What is SuperCollider?

SuperCollider is a powerful audio programming environment, designed for:

• Sound synthesis
• Electronic music creation
• Algorithmic composition
• Live audio performances

It gives you direct, real-time control over sound using code. It is really different from the former audio LiveCoding tools we have learned (eg. Strudel), which tend to be very high-level and easy to read and use. When using SuperCollider, you are basically directly manipulating different signals and their parameters, which goes to the fundamental principles of how sounds are made.

How to Install SuperCollider

1. Go to https://supercollider.github.io/
2. Download the appropriate version for your operating system (Mac, Windows, or Linux).
3. Install it and launch the SuperCollider IDE (Integrated Development Environment).

https://supercollider.github.io/

Before You Start: booting the server — Why and How

In SuperCollider, there are two main parts:

• The Language (sclang) — where you write code.
• The Server (scsynth) — which actually generates the sound.

Important: Your code alone doesn't create sound — it needs the server to "play" it.