What is Extempore?
Extempore is an open-source, cross-platform programming environment designed for live coding of interactive, multimedia systems. It allows musicians, VJs, installation artists, and other creative coders to write algorithms that generate audio, video, graphics, and more in real-time during a performance or exhibition.
Some key features of Extempore include:
- A dialect of the Lisp programming language called xtlang for scripting interactive systems
- Strong timing guarantees and audio callback functionality for low-latency audio synthesis and processing
- Advanced audio features like polyphonic synthesizers, effects, spatialization, and more
- Image and video processing capabilities using OpenGL shaders
- Support for OSC and MIDI protocols to integrate with other music software and hardware
- A Clojure-inspired programming environment optimized for live coding
- Cross-platform support for macOS, Windows, and Linux
Extempore enables artists to experiment and freely improvise with algorithmic design in real-time with immediate audiovisual feedback. It facilitates creative flow for interactive performances across disciplines like live coding music, algoraves, generative art installations, VJing, and more. The environment promotes iteration and tinkering by allowing quick changes to be made to running systems.
Overtone, Sonic Pi, Synthesine, Klangmeister, Nyquist, SuperCollider, Wavepot, ChucK, AudioMasher, Faust, SOUL programming language, Gibber are some alternatives to Extempore.