About Sonic Pi – (Source : Wikipedia) Sonic Pi is a live coding environment based on Ruby, originally designed to support both computing and music lessons in schools, developed by Sam Aaron in the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory in collaboration with Raspberry Pi Foundation. Thanks to its use of the SuperCollider synthesis engine and accurate timing model, it is also used for live coding and other forms of algorithmic music performance and production, including at algoraves. Its research and development has been supported by Nesta, via the Sonic PI: Live & Coding project.

As part of this track you will explore different coding concepts while creating music with Sonic Pi. You will work through a series of tutorials from the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

Check out a live performance of Sonic Pi performed by Sam Aaron.

Recommended Learning Prerequisites –

Sonic Pi requires text based programming. If you haven’t done much programming before we would encourage you to try out the learning tracks listed below. These tutorials will help you build upon the knowledge gained coding with Scratch and the BBC Makecode editor. We would highly recommend that you complete the following tracks before you start off with this track.

1. Introduction to coding concepts with Scratch I
2. Introduction to coding concepts with Scratch II
3. Introduction to coding concepts with Scratch III
4. Exploring coding concepts using the BBC micro:bit I
5. Exploring coding concepts using the BBC micro:bit II
6. Exploring coding concepts using the BBC micro:bit III

Once you’ve gained coding experience with Scratch, BBC micro:bit you should consider trying out Sonic Pi.

Hardware Prerequisites –

1. This tutorial makes extensive use of the Raspberry Pi 4B
2. If you haven’t purchased a Raspberry Pi 4B yet you might want to head over and pick one up now.
3. You can pick up both the Raspberry Pi 4B at OzToyLib – https://www.oztoylib.com.au/.

About the Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi is a series of small single-board computers developed in the United Kingdom by the Raspberry Pi Foundation to promote the teaching of basic computer science in schools and in developing countries. It is a capable little computer which can be used in electronics projects, and for many of the things that your desktop PC does, like spreadsheets, word processing, browsing the internet, and playing games. The original model became far more popular than anticipated, selling outside its target market for uses such as robotics.

The Raspberry Pi does not include peripherals (such as keyboards, mice and cases). However, some accessories have been included in several official and unofficial bundles. According to the Raspberry Pi Foundation, over 5 million Raspberry Pis were sold by February 2015, making it the best-selling British computer. By November 2016 they had sold 11 million units, and 12.5m by March 2017, making it the third best-selling “general purpose computer”. In July 2017, sales reached nearly 15 million.In March 2018, sales reached 19 million. Most Pis are made in a Sony factory in Pencoed, Wales; some are made in China or Japan.

You can read more about the Raspberry Pi here – RaspberryPi.org.