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Using Objects

This guide covers everything you need to know about working with objects in plugdata, from browsing the object library to understanding inlets, outlets, and arguments.

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Object Browser

Plugdata includes a comprehensive object browser for discovering and learning about available objects.

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Opening the Object Browser

1

Open Browser

Press Shift+? or select View > Object Browser from the menu
2

Search for Objects

Type in the search field to filter objects by name or description
3

Browse by Category

Click categories on the left to browse organized object collections
4

Add to Canvas

Click an object in the browser to add it to your canvas, or drag it to a specific position

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Object Categories

Objects are organized into several categories:
  • Audio - Signal processing (oscillators, filters, effects)
  • Control - Message processing and logic
  • UI - GUI objects for interaction
  • Data - Data structures and manipulation
  • MIDI - MIDI input and output
  • Math - Mathematical operations
  • Time - Timing and sequencing
  • File I/O - Reading and writing files
Use the Documentation Browser (Cmd/Ctrl+B) in the sidebar for quick access to object documentation while patching.

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Searching for Objects

When creating a new object, plugdata provides intelligent suggestions:
  1. Press Cmd/Ctrl+1 to create an object
  2. Start typing - autocomplete suggestions appear
  3. Use ↑↓ arrows to navigate suggestions
  4. Press Enter to select
1

Open Documentation

Press Cmd/Ctrl+B or click the Documentation Browser tab in the sidebar
2

Enter Search Query

Type in the search field to find objects by name, description, or category
3

View Details

Click an object to see its documentation including:
  • Description and purpose
  • Inlet and outlet types
  • Creation arguments
  • Example usage
4

Open Reference

Click “Open Reference” to see the full documentation page

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Finding Objects in Current Patch

To search within your current patch:
  1. Press Cmd/Ctrl+F
  2. Enter search text (object names, message content, comments)
  3. Navigate results with Enter or arrow buttons
  4. Click results to highlight objects on canvas
The search panel appears in the sidebar and highlights matching objects with a colored outline on the canvas.

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Reading Help Files

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Accessing Help

Every object in plugdata has associated documentation:
View quick reference information:
  1. Select an object
  2. Press F1 or right-click > “Reference”
  3. See concise documentation including:
    • Object description
    • Inlet/outlet definitions
    • Arguments and messages
    • Related objects

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Help Patch Features

Help patches are interactive demonstrations:
  • Live Examples - Working patches you can interact with
  • Explanatory Comments - Detailed descriptions of functionality
  • Multiple Use Cases - Common usage patterns
  • Related Objects - Links to similar objects
  • Audio Examples - For signal processing objects
Keep help patches open in separate tabs as reference while building your own patches.

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Understanding Object Arguments

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Creation Arguments

Many objects accept arguments when created: 
osc~ 440              # Oscillator at 440Hz
metro 1000            # Metronome at 1000ms interval
+ 10                  # Add 10 to input
random 100            # Random 0-99
delay 500 1000        # Delay with initial and max time
Argument Types:
  • Numbers - Integers or floats: 440, 1.5, -10
  • Symbols - Text: sine, hann, myname
  • Quoted Strings - Text with spaces: "hello world"

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Required vs Optional Arguments

Check documentation to understand argument requirements:
  • Required - Object won’t function without them
  • Optional - Have default values if omitted
  • Variable - Accept multiple arguments
osc~                  # Error: frequency required
osc~ 440              # OK: frequency provided
metro                 # OK: defaults to 0 (off)
metro 500             # OK: explicit interval

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Dynamic Arguments

Some objects let you change arguments after creation: 
[osc~ 440]            # Fixed frequency
  |
[frequency $1(       # Message to change frequency
  |
[osc~]                # Frequency controlled by inlet
Audio rate arguments (like oscillator frequency) typically have both creation argument and inlet control options.

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Understanding Inlets and Outlets

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Inlet Types

The leftmost inlet is “hot” - triggers output when it receives data:
[+ 5]               # Left inlet: triggers addition
                    # Right inlet: sets the value to add
Hot inlets process immediately and send results to outlets.

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Outlet Types

Outlets send different data types:
  • Message Outlets - Send control messages (numbers, symbols, lists)
  • Signal Outlets - Send audio-rate signals (continuous data)
Visual Distinction:
  • Thin connections = messages
  • Thick connections = signals

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Multi-Outlet Objects

Some objects have multiple outlets for different purposes: 
[route note velocity]
  |      |            # First outlet: note numbers
         |            # Second outlet: velocities

[unpack f f f]       
  |    |  |          # Three outlets for unpacking lists
Outlet Order: Outlets are numbered left to right (0, 1, 2…) and often output in right-to-left order.
Some objects output from right to left intentionally to allow sequential processing. Check documentation for specific objects.

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Working with GUI Objects

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Common GUI Objects

Sends a bang message when clicked:
  • Click in run mode to trigger
  • Can receive bangs from other objects
  • Use for triggering events, resetting states
Properties:
  • Size, colors, label
  • Send/receive names for remote control
Binary on/off switch:
  • Outputs 1 when on, 0 when off
  • Click to toggle state
  • Send 1 or 0 to set remotely
Usage:
  • Gate signals on/off
  • Boolean logic
  • State indicators
Display and input numeric values:
  • Click and drag vertically to change value
  • Double-click to type exact value
  • Outputs on change
Properties:
  • Min/max range
  • Display precision
  • Output on load
Continuous value control:
  • Vertical (V) or Horizontal (J)
  • Drag to change value
  • Configurable range and output
Settings:
  • Min/max values
  • Linear or logarithmic scaling
  • Send symbol for remote control
Select one option from many:
  • Vertical (D) or Horizontal (I)
  • Click to select
  • Outputs selected index (0-based)
Properties:
  • Number of options
  • Size and spacing
  • Initial selection

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GUI Object Properties

Configure GUI objects in the Inspector panel:
  1. Select GUI object
  2. Open Inspector (wrench icon in sidebar)
  3. Modify properties:
    • Dimensions - Size and position
    • Appearance - Colors, fonts, borders
    • Range - Min/max values
    • Label - Text and position
    • Send/Receive - Remote control names

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Send and Receive Names

GUI objects can be controlled remotely: 
# Number box with receive name "volume"
[nbx]  (receive: volume)

# Control it from anywhere:
[75(               # Set to 75
  |
[send volume]
Use descriptive send/receive names like master-volume or filter-freq instead of generic names.

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Object-Specific Features

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Audio Objects (~ suffix)

Objects ending in ~ process audio signals: 
[osc~ 440]         # Audio oscillator
[*~ 0.5]           # Audio multiplication  
[lop~ 1000]        # Lowpass filter
[dac~]             # Audio output
Key Points:
  • Operate at sample rate (typically 44100 Hz)
  • Use thick connection lines
  • Cannot directly connect to message objects
  • Use snapshot~ to convert to messages
  • Use sig~ to convert messages to signals

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Message Processing Objects

Control-rate objects for discrete events: 
[metro 500]        # Metronome
[+], [-], [*], [/] # Math
[route]            # Message routing
[select]           # Match and route
[trigger]          # Split and convert

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Conversion Objects

1

Message to Signal

Use sig~ to convert numbers to audio signals:
[440(
  |
[sig~]
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[osc~]  # Frequency as signal
2

Signal to Message

Use snapshot~ to sample signals:
[osc~ 1]        # LFO
  |
[snapshot~]     # Sample on bang
  |
[print]         # Show value

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Object Libraries

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Vanilla Pd

Core Pure Data objects:
  • Standard operations and signal processing
  • Maximum compatibility
  • Built into all Pd distributions

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ELSE Library

Extended collection included with plugdata:
  • Additional oscillators and filters
  • Enhanced GUI objects
  • Utility objects for common tasks
  • Comprehensive help files
Usage: Most ELSE objects work without prefix 
[sine~]            # ELSE oscillator
[slider]           # ELSE slider
[button]           # ELSE button

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Cyclone Library

Max/MSP compatibility objects:
  • Similar to Max objects
  • Helpful for Max users
Usage: Use cyclone/ prefix or enable in settings 
[cyclone/scope~]   # Oscilloscope
[cyclone/coll]     # Data collection
Plugdata ships with ELSE and Cyclone libraries included. Additional externals can be added - see the Extensions guide.

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Best Practices

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Object Naming

✅ Good: 
[osc~ 440]         # Clear purpose
[metro 500]        # Explicit timing
[+ 10]             # Shows operation
❌ Avoid: 
[osc~]             # Missing frequency
[metro]            # No timing info
[+]                # Unclear what's added

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Documentation

Always document complex object chains: 
[comment Filter section - 2-pole resonant lowpass]
[inlet~]           # Audio input
  |
[lop~ 1000]        # Cutoff at 1kHz
  |
[lop~ 1000]        # Second pole for 12dB/oct slope
  |
[outlet~]          # Filtered output

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Error Handling

Watch the console for:
  • Object not found - Check spelling or install external
  • Bad arguments - Verify argument types and order
  • Signal/message mismatch - Use conversion objects

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Next Steps

Now that you understand objects:

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