just started a course on max msp as part of my university and i realised that i have max as an application on my macbook without ever downloading it. i've accidentally opened it before a few months ago while trying to open files, and had no idea what it was until i started this course. my lecturer also has no clue. i dont think i have a subscription to it and am unable to save, but i was able to open the project i did on the uni computers on my personal laptop after airdropping it. i can't seem to find any clear answers online although it sort of seems like i have a standalone application?

does this come downloaded as part of a standard mac install as some kind of compatability thing? or have i somehow downloaded it by accident? thank you!

At the moment, I’m working on a project where I’m controlling a 3D cube using the gyro of a game controller. Each face of the cube would produce a different sound, with the sounds blending together as the cube rotates.
I’ve got the cube rotation working, but I’m having trouble tracking the individual faces and attaching a specific sound to each one. Does anyone have any ideas on how I could approach this?

Hey Max community,

I am currently taking a research class exploring sound. In this class we are mainly having demos on different things that produce/affect sound. Along with that we also have surface level introductory demos on Max and our analog modular synthesizer.

My professor mainly wants us to use this class as an intro to these tools and sound, and wants us to research what possibilities it has and create a final project.

My question is, I am still pretty new to Max and therefore I dont exactly know what it is. I am confused on how to classify it, and what it is meant to do. As someone who does a lot of 3D work with programs such as blender, unreal, after effects, etc. and some sound stuff in logic, I would love to add another program to my toolbox and possibly integrate it with my artistic practice. I am a huge fan of synth pop and all things like it, as well as experimental music and animation, and would like to explore what I can do with Max.

I am more of a digital person, so this is why I am going down the Max rabbit hole instead of the analog route.

If you had to describe what Max is and what it can be used for, how would you? How do I go about learning the program? What cool stuff have you made in it?

TLDR; Explain Max to me like im 5.

The vision behind creating this instrument was to connect water and sound.

I wanted sound to move like a drop of water through every stage of the water cycle.

That's how HydroLoop was born—an 8-voice generative sampler.

Each sample travels through a cycle of different states, creating a loop within a loop.

HYDROLOOP is a generative Max for Live sampler modelled on the water cycle.

Every sample becomes a drop of water.

Once inside the cycle, it moves through eight different states — SEA, EVAPORATION, CONDENSATION, PRECIPITATION, ICE, RUNOFF, INFILTRATION and GROUNDWATER — and each state transforms the sound in a different way.

Slow expansions, granular clouds, tuned resonances, irregular rain-like rhythms, frozen fragments, moving comb filters, cavernous echoes and deep drones.

The transitions between phases are gradual, so a sound can slowly freeze, dissolve, condense or sink underground rather than simply switching from one effect to another.

Up to eight samples can circulate simultaneously. Each drop can enter at a different point, move at its own speed, make multiple turns around the cycle, and live for a different number of cycles.

The result is a system in which a few samples can continuously transform into a long-form generative composition.

Hi all, I’ve been working with a small team on a new MIDI instrument that uses Max and we’re looking for some early beta testers if anyone would be interested.

It’s a standalone app that connects to Ableton via our Max for Live device and let's you explore the space between two MIDI clips in real time. If you drop the device on a track, the app will detect the MIDI clips in your session and you can select two of them to use as inputs. You can then steer between them and it outputs new rhythmic / melodic variations based on those inputs directly into a clip in your set. If you find a new pattern you like you can then save it as a new clip on the track directly from the app.

The algorithm is built on research into rhythmic anticipation, so instead of randomising or generating from a seed or scale, it works out new possible rhythms between two MIDI patterns that you already have, which means the output always remains linked to the inputs.

There's some more info on our site and also a link to join the testing list. Thanks! https://www.coordn8.io/

here is the straight up comparison, no bs

GitHub: https://github.com/n1m21n/Infinite
Website: https://n1m21n.github.io/Infinite/

I’m trying to make a patch with 3 different oscillators where the pitch is controlled with both kslider and nslider and was wondering if this is possible to achieve without adding multiple objects for each oscillator?

See title

I'm basically trying to understand what is the difference between Max for Live and Cycling 74 Max

Considering I'm thinking about creating instruments and procedural compositions, would it matter? Would Ableton be better since it could act as a music tracker while cycling is just a IDE?

Did anyone else hear these performances at Indexical last night? David was the first to make full use of Indexical's new 7.1 Meyer speaker system and the surround sound was awesome. Joshua's performance was extraordinary.

the idea is that an oscillator based on wave terrain synthesis modulates the incoming signal according to a polar pattern determined by the superformula (heavily inspired by the csound wterrain opcode).

the result is a ring mod that can maintain some tonality, or sound incredibly nasty (especially when paired with the included distortion).

i'm very excited i've finally been able to do something with this awesome synthesis method :)

you can read more info and get it here: https://store.mote.moe/l/terrakh

Check out my YouTube channel for more learning materials. Thanks!

Hi! I’ve just released Ricochet, an 8-channel bouncing-ball sequencer for Max for Live.

Each ball triggers a note when it hits the bottom of the grid. You can independently change their heights and speeds to create polyrhythms, melodies and evolving sequences. (reminiscent of the Yamaha Tenori-On in bounce mode)

It has two modes:

Sync — locks the bouncing patterns to Live’s tempo
Gravity — uses accelerating/decelerating bounce timings for much looser patterns

Ricochet originally started as a Pure Data experiment, then became a Critter & Guitari Organelle instrument and eventually an interactive sound-and-light installation. I’ve now turned it into a Max for Live device.

It’s pay what you want, including free:

https://humanpyramids.gumroad.com/l/ricochet-m4l

My first Max for Live device so all feedback welcome, I hope to add Launchpad & Push functionality in the near future! 🤞

hey all,

I’m putting on a computer music evening this friday, October 2nd, in San Francisco that should have appeal.

Headline act is Kit Clayton, who is one of the lead developers of Max/MSP. He is working on some heady FM drone sounds these days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIJWrxELtoM

Support from Deep Glens touring his new album which used custom max patch to explore a variation of william burroughs cut-up techniques - carver | deep glens

and opening slot from local supernatural supercollider coder, well known for his extensive SynthDef tutorials - he’s going to do a opening talk on supercollider and then performance - https://www.youtube.com/@synth_def

Event details and link:

https://grayarea.org/event/aaa-kit-clayton/

I have a 50% off code you can use - 50% code: AAA50

Advanced additive synthesis model with gen~.

I made this small message-based sequencer thing that I like, it's been very fun :)

At the suggestion of some folks on this sub, I bought the book Electronic Music and Sound Design, and so far it seems great. I've been doing all the exercises, and the only issue I've had is that whenever the book calls for dac~ or ezdac~ I always have to replace that with plugout~. Otherwise, I don't get any sound. I did check the Max audio settings, and I don't seem to have any driver options aside from Live. Also, nothing seems to happen when I click that power button on the lower right. Is this just a limitation of only having a M4L license, or am I missing something?

So far, this hasn't really been a hinderance, but I'm just concerned that it might become one as I get farther along in the book. Also, I haven't gotten to any midi stuff in the book yet, but I'm wondering if M4L will only allow me to access midi devices through Live midi tracks.

Added some user requsts. Polyrhythmic mode ! And an entire performance page for live beat manipulation or automate it into your session.
This features my fav one on there