Interaction with Arduino & Max – Workshop series / On-demand
Pricing excluding kit, components to be purchased separately – see kit list in requirements section
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Want your Arduino to control audio, video, generative 3D visuals, or even Ableton Live? Combine Arduino with Max 8, a powerful visual programming environment opens up many possibilities for interactive installation, generative art, multimedia performance, and more! You will learn very basic electronics, introductory Arduino skills, and how to use sensors and inputs to control Max 8!
By the end of this workshop series you will be able to:
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Create Arduino based electronic prototypes
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Control audio in Max 8 with sensors and your own custom hardware interfaces
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Utilize Max to map software interactions to physical electronic systems
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Apply interaction design concepts for developing installations and performances
Session Study Topics:
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Max 8 to control Digital and PWM output
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Switches and Digital inputs mapped to states in Max 8
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Analog sensors, smoothing data and creating meaningful interactions
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Strengths, weaknesses and limitations of hardware and software.
Requirements
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A computer with Internet connection
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Arduino / Electronics kit please check you can order all of these parts before the series starts
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Max software – either free trial or full licence
About the workshop leader:
Kyle Duffield is a Toronto based Interactive and Experience Design Professional who creates immersive interactive installations and brand activations. He is also known for his affiliation with the studio and former gallery, Electric Perfume. As an educator, and technical consultant, he has facilitated interactive media workshops and projects with institutions across Canada, Shanghai, and online. Currently, Kyle is participating in Cycling 74’s Max Certified Trainer Program, and is focusing on creating unforgettable technological experiences.
Max meetup 24th April – Europe Edition
Date & Time: Saturday 24th April 3pm UK
Level: Open to all levels
Join the Max meetup to share ideas and learn with other artists, coders and performers. Showcase your patches, pair with others to learn together, get help for a school assignment, or discover new things.
The meetup runs via Zoom. The main session features short presentations from Max users. Breakout rooms are created on the spot on specific topics, and you can request a new topic at any time.
Meetup will be hosted by Ned Rush with presentations by:
In the breakout rooms, you can share your screen to show other participants something you’re working on, ask for help, or help someone else.
Berlin Code of Conduct
We ask all participants to read and follow the Berlin Code of Conduct and contribute to creating a welcoming environment for everyone.
Topic suggestions but not limited to:
- MIDI
- Jitter
- Signal processing
- Sequencing
- Hardware
- OSC
- Algorithmic composition
- Package manager modules
Requirements
- A Zoom account
- A computer and internet connection
Max meetup 17th April – Americas Edition
Date & Time: Saturday 17th April 3pm LA / 6pm NYC
Level: Open to all levels
Join the Max meetup to share ideas and learn with other artists, coders and performers. Showcase your patches, pair with others to learn together, get help for a school assignment, or discover new things.
The meetup runs via Zoom. The main session features short presentations from Max users. Breakout rooms are created on the spot on specific topics, and you can request a new topic at any time.
The theme for this session is Max in live performances.
Hosted by: Chloe Alexandra Thompson
With presentations by:
Marcus Price: Granular Synthesis
Presentation on how he use granular synthesis/auto-scrubbing and a variety of custom tools (spacialization helpers, effects and feedback/delay lines) for live performances.
Michele Zaccagnini: Nonlinear Sequencer
Michele will present a max package he designed which is now distributed in the package manager. It covers the use of sequencers in nonlinear fashion, i.e. the time function of the sequencer is distorted to create tempo oscillations. The overall tempo-predictability and synchronization robustness of the sequencer is nonetheless still present in the Nonlinear Sequencer. Plus these set of objects allow to “measure” the regularity/irregularity of a rhythmic event on an imaginary grid.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMQVkLE-bKdA7cycXECtCQ
https://michelezaccagnini.blog/.
João Cabral: Topic: Hardware presentation
João will present a bunch of devices that were made using M4L that work as a 1 dimensional Visual Synth that were used to create LED animations.
In the breakout rooms, you can share your screen to show other participants something you’re working on, ask for help, or help someone else.
Ready to present your work at a future meetup?
Everyone is welcome to propose a presentation. Just fill in this short form and you’ll be put on the agenda on a first come first served basis.
Presentations should take no more than 5 minutes with 5 minutes Q&A and we’ll have up to 5 presentations at each meetup.
List of presenters will be updated and announced before each event.
Topic suggestions but not limited to:
- MIDI
- Jitter
- Signal processing
- Sequencing
- Hardware
- OSC
- Algorithmic composition
- Package manager modules
Requirements
- A Zoom account
- A computer and internet connection
Berlin Code of Conduct
We ask all participants to read and follow the Berlin Code of Conduct and contribute to creating a welcoming environment for everyone.
Video Synthesis with Vsynth for Max – LIVE Session
Dates: Thursdays 4th / 11th / 18th / 25th February 2021 6pm GMT
Level: Intermediate +
Overview
In this series of 4 workshops, we’ll look at how to interconnect the different 80 modules that come with Vsynth, exploring video techniques and practices that can create aesthetics associated with the history of the electronic image but also complex patterns founded in some basic functions of nature.
Vsynth is a high level package of modules for Max/Jitter that together make a modular video synthesizer. Its simplicity made it the perfect tool to introduce yourself to video synthesis and image processing. Since It can be connected to other parts of Max, other softwares and hardwares it can also become a really powerful and adaptable video tool for any kind of job.
Here’s what you’ll learn in each workshop:
Workshop 1:
Learn the fundamentals of digital video-synthesis by diving into the different video oscillators, noise generators, mixers, colorizers and keyers. By the end of this session students will be able to build simple custom video-synth patches with presets.
- Video oscillators, mixers, colorizers.
Workshop 2:
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Modulations (phase, frequency, pulse, hue, among others).
In this workshop we will focus on the concept of modulation so that students can add another level of complexity to their patches. We’ll see the differences between modulating parameters of an image with simple LFOs or with other images. Some of the modulations we’ll cover are Phase, Frequency, Pulse Width, Brightness & HUE.
Workshop 3:
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Filters/convolutions and video feedback techniques.
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This 3rd workshop is divided in two. In the first half, we’ll go in depth in what actually means low or high frequencies in the image world. We’ll then use Low-pass and High-pass filters/convolutions in different scenarios to see how they affect different images.
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In the second, half we’ll go through a lot of different techniques that uses the process of video-feedback. From simple “trails” effects to more complex reaction-diffusion like patterns!
Workshop 4:
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Working with scenes and external controllers (audio, midi, arduino).
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In this final workshop we’ll see how to bundle in just one file several Vsynth patches/scenes with presets for live situations. We’ll also export a patch as a Max for Live device and go in depth into “external control” in order to successfully control Vsynth parameters with audio, midi or even an Arduino.
Requirements
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Intermediate knowledge of Max and Jitter
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Have latest Max 8 installed
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Basic knowledge of audio-synthesis and/or computer graphics would be useful
About the workshop leader
Kevin Kripper (Buenos Aires, 1991) is a visual artist and indie software developer. He’s worked on projects that link art, technology, education and toolmaking, which have been exhibited and awarded in different art and science festivals. Since 2012 he’s been dedicated to creating digital tools that extend the creative possibilities of visual artists and musicians from all over the world.
Max meetup – Europe Edition 2
FREE
Date: Saturday 30th January – 3pm UK time / 4pm CET
Level: Open to all levels
Overview
Join the Max meetup to share ideas and learn with other artists, coders and performers. Showcase your patches, pair with others to learn together, get help for a school assignment, or discover new things.
The meetup runs via Zoom. The main session features short presentations from Max users. Breakout rooms are created on the spot on specific topics, and you can request a new topic at any time.
In the breakout rooms, you can share your screen to show other participants something you’re working on, ask for help, or help someone else.
Presenters
The session will be hosted by Ned Rush and feature presentations by:
Nick Rothwell, aka Cassiel, Live coding a patch librarian in Clojure
Philip Meyer, Image Convolution with jit.gl.pix
Johan Englund, CV recorder for Mira
And more to be confirmed soon.
Ready to present your work?
Everyone is welcome to propose a presentation. Just fill in this short form and you’ll be put on the agenda on a first come first served basis.
Presentations should take no more than 5 minutes with 5 minutes Q&A and we’ll have up to 5 presentations at each meetup.
Topic suggestions but not limited to:
- MIDI
- Jitter
- Signal processing
- Sequencing
- Hardware
- OSC
- Algorithmic composition
- Package manager modules
Berlin Code of Conduct
We ask all participants to read and follow the Berlin Code of Conduct and contribute to creating a welcoming environment for everyone.
DIY Electronics – Introduction to digital instrument design
During these workshops you will prototype your own instrument (hardware and software) using an Arduino microcontroller, sensors, and Max or Pure Data.
Registration includes access to all sessions.
You will be introduced to the basics of working with an Arduino microcontroller and interfacing it with a computer software in order to generate, control and manipulate sound. We will use open source hardware and software (Arduino / Max or Pure Data) to prototype an instrument using buttons, switches, potentiometers and sensors. We will start by looking at the basics such as setting up Arduino and running sketches, analog vs digital pins, Arduino programming environment, basic electronic, etc. From there we will get a bit more advanced by looking at the serial communication, connecting sensors to Arduino, reading and values from sensors, and controlling sound parameters with them.
Requirements
Beginner with notions of programming. All participants are required to have a computer with pre-installed Arduino IDE and Max or PureData.
Downloads:
- arduino: https://www.arduino.cc/
- Pure Data: http://puredata.info/downloads
- Max: https://www.cycling74.com
- Useful but not essential: wire cutters & strippers, multimeters, soldering irons
Components (not included, please order):
- Arduino board + USB cable. If your laptop doesn’t have a USB port please make sure you have an adapter! USB cable not included!
- Breadboard
- Jumper wires
- Resistors (1k)
- Resistors (10k)
- Light dependent resistor a.k.a. LDR a.k.a. light sensor:
- 10k potentiometer
- Mini buttons
Kacper Ziemianin a.k.a. ‘Ctrl Freq’ has background in classical music and a lot of adventures in modern sound and music. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sonic Arts from Middlsex University, London and Master’s degree in Sonology at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Instrument maker, sound designer, circuit bender, vagabond, improviser, producer, audio-hacker, nomad, radio presenter, activist, workshop leader, squatter. His audio installations and sounds have been shown/played in numerous places around, as well as outside Europe.
Currently based in the Hague, NL working as a freelance instrument designer and performer as well as teacher of DIY electronics. His latest endeavor, the ‘LightSeq’ has received funding from Stimuleringsfonds NL and won an award at an international electronic music festival ‘Radical dB’ in Zaragoza, Spain.
Follow Kacper on YouTube
Video synthesis with Vsynth workshop
Level: Intermediate
In this series of 4 2-hours workshop, Kevin Kripper, the author of Vsynth, explains how to interconnect the different 80 modules that come with Vsynth, exploring video techniques and practices that can create aesthetics associated with the history of the electronic image but also complex patterns founded in some basic functions of nature.
Here’s what you’ll learn in each workshop:
Lesson 1: video oscillators, mixers, colorizers.
Lesson 2: modulations (pm, fm, pwm, hue, among others).
Lesson 3: filters/convolutions and video feedback techniques.
Lesson 4: working with presets, scenes, audio and midi.
Vsynth is a high level package of modules for Max/Jitter that together make a modular video synthesizer. Its simplicity made it the perfect tool to introduce yourself to video synthesis and image processing. Since It can be connected to other parts of Max, other softwares and hardwares it can also become a really powerful and adaptable video tool for any kind of job.
Requirements
- Basic knowledge of Max and Jitter
- Have Max 8 installed
- Familiarity with audio-synthesis or computer graphics would be useful.
About the workshop leader
Kevin Kripper (Buenos Aires, 1991) is a visual artist and indie software developer. He’s worked on several projects that link art, technology, education and toolmaking which has exhibited in festivals such as +CODE, Innovar, Wrong Biennale, MUTEK, among others. In 2016 he won first place at the Itaú Visual Arts Award with his work Deconstrucento. In addition, since 2012 he’s been dedicated to create digital tools that extend the creative possibilities of visual artists and musicians from all over the world. During 2017, he participated in the Toolmaker residency at Signal Culture (Owego, NY) and in 2018 received a mention in the Technology applied to Art category from the ArCiTec Award for the development of Vsynth.
https://www.instagram.com/vsynth74/
https://cycling74.com/articles/an-interview-with-kevin-kripper