OSC
OSC (Open Sound Control) is a communication protocol for sending data between devices over a network.
It was designed for real-time musical and multimedia applications and has become the standard for connecting sensors, computers, and sound software.
How It Works
OSC sends messages over UDP (a lightweight network protocol). Each message has an address (like a URL) and one or more values.
Example message:
/sensor/proximity 0.73This says: the value at address /sensor/proximity is 0.73.
Your microcontroller sends these messages over Wi-Fi. Your laptop receives them in Max or Plugdata.
Setup in This Course
On the microcontroller (Arduino):
- Connect to Wi-Fi
- Send OSC messages to your laptop’s IP address on a chosen port (e.g. 9000)
In Max:
- Use the
udpreceiveobject on port 9000 - Parse the OSC message with
routeor theo.routeobjects from the CNMAT externals
In Plugdata:
- Use
netreceiveor theosc-routeabstraction
Tips
- Use a phone hotspot — connect both your laptop and ESP32 to it. Do not use eduroam.
- Find your laptop’s IP address: System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Details
- Use any port number consistently across your sketch and patch — 9000 is a common default
Related
Linked from
- Assignment 2Prototype a Smart Thing16 Jun
- GlossaryKey technical and conceptual terms used in this course.
- Starter SketchA starting sketch built around an LDR (light-dependent resistor) sensor.
- TroubleshootingCommon problems and fixes.
- Arduino IDEThe Arduino IDE is the programming environment used to write and upload code to your microcontroller.
- CodeCellCodeCell is a compact ESP32-based microcontroller module developed by Microbots.
- ESP32The ESP32 is the microcontroller platform for this course.
- MaxMax is a visual programming environment for music, audio, and multimedia, developed by Cycling '74.
- OOCSIOOCSI (Out of Control for Semantic Interactivity) is a lightweight data exchange platform developed at TU/e for design research.
- PlugdataPlugdata is a free, open source visual programming environment based on Pure Data (Pd).
- SerialThe Serial Monitor is built into the Arduino IDE.
- WirelessFor the installation to work, your sensor prototype needs to send data to your laptop without a cable.
- Week 5Object Pitches + Technical Setup26 May