An introduction to Max
Dom Aversano
What is Max / Jitter / Max for Live / RNBO?
Max is a visual programming language originally developed at the catchily named Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique in Paris, better known as IRCAM. Now developed and maintained in San Francisco by the company Cycling ‘74, it is widely regarded as one of the quintessential tools for people who desire a deeper level of control over their sound and visuals. In short, if you can imagine it, you can build it.
Max/MSP is a standalone visual programming language that allows you to build and compose beautiful-looking instruments, effects, sequencers, and anything else you can dream up, without having to get into the intricacies of code. Instead, you use patch cords to connect different modules, in a manner that more resembles the physical world. Max is also capable of creating standalone programs.
Jitter is the visual part of Max/MSP, not a separate program. It allows you to create visuals, edit videos, or control lighting in the same patching environment in which sound occurs. There’s no need to find elaborate ways to make distinct sound and visual environments talk to each other — it’s built into this system. Your sound and visual environment are all under one roof.
Max for Live integrates the above into the highly flexible digital audio workstation (DAW) Ableton Live. This means you have audio programming, visual programming, and a world-class sequencer complete with effects and instruments combined into one program. It’s incredibly powerful, which helps to explain why it’s so popular. Whether you want to make an album, an installation, or a live show combining audio and visuals, it’s all contained within Max for Live.
RNBO
RNBO is one of the most powerful aspects of Max. Without having to write a line of code it allows you to export your Max patches for use outside of Max. Using RNBO you can create audio plugins for DAWs, programs that run on Raspberry Pi, and export to C++ or Web Assembly for building desktop, mobile, or web applications.
This video gives a neat overview of its capabilities.
Who uses Max?
Many well-known artists use Max such as Autechre, Holly Herndon, Pauline Oliveros, and Björk. All of these artists are pioneers who benefit from being able to customise and design their software, using an elegantly designed that makes it intuitive and enjoyable to do so.
Why learn Max?
Most people learn Max/MSP because they have a project that they want to create that cannot be realised in standard commercial software. While the thought of learning to program might be intimidating, Max makes it far more approachable and achievable for those who do not have years of their life to dedicate to learning to code in programming languages like Supercollider, Python, or C++.
How long does it take to learn?
As with all things, it depends to what level. If you have a basic understanding of synthesis and sound design then making a simple synth or effect should not take very long — perhaps a few weeks. To gain a solid foundation in Max takes time, practice, and some dedication, making 3-6 months a ballpark time-estimate for getting to grasp with the fundamentals.
How to get started!
First, you need a bit of motivation. The best of all is if you have a project in mind that you want to build. To witness something that you previously only imagined starting to take form is a great way to stay motivated and learn. Piece by piece you can start building your bespoke musical universe, inspiring you to push further and develop more of your ideas.
Finally, another great tutorial for exploring the potential of Max is Umut Elder’s course on stochastic music. Beyond the fancy name, stochastic music simply refers to music that contains various random processes. By having a degree of randomness enter into music it helps give one’s music and visuals a sense of unpredictability and spontaneity.
Finally…
Remember to have fun! If you enjoy what you’re doing you’ll do more of it. Happy building!
Max and Machine Learning with RunwayML – On-demand
Level: Intermediate
RunwayML is a platform that offers AI tools to artists without any coding experience. Max/MSP is a visual programming environment used in media art that can be used to control RunwayML in a more efficient way. At the end of the workshop you will be able to train trendy machine learning models and generate videos by walking a latent space through Max and NodeJS.
Session Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course a successful student will be able to:
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Understand the RunwayML workflow
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Use Node4Max to control RunwayML and generate a video.
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Explore ML trendy models
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Create a Dataset
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Train a ML model
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Process videos with the VIZZIE library.
Session 1
– Introduction to the course
– What’s machine learning, deep learning and neural networks?
– What’s RunwayML?
Session 2
– What’s a GAN and styleGAN?
– Latent space walk
– Image and video generation with RunwayML, Max and Node4Max (part 1)
Session 3
Session 4
– processing Images and videos with VIZZIE2 and Jitter.
Session Study Topics
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Generate images and video through AI
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Request data to models and save images on your local drive
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Generate video from images
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Communication protocols (web sockets and https requests)
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AI models used in visual art.
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Video processing
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Models training
Requirements
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A computer and internet connection
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Access to a copy of Max 8 (either trial or licence)
- A code editor such as Visual Studio Code, Sublime or Atom
- Attendees need to create a RunwayML account – https://app.runwayml.com/signup.
- Upon setting up an account you will receive 10$ credit for free
- Approx. 50$ credits will be required to complete the course however these do not need to purchased in advance
- 20% RunwayML discount code will be provided to participant who sign up to the course
About the workshop leader
Marco Accardi is a trained musician, multimedia artist, developer and teacher based in Berlin.
He is the co-founder of Anecoica, a collective that organises events combining art, science and new technologies.
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.
Real-time Audio Reactive Visual Programming in Max – On demand
Level: Informative for all levels of experience
One of the best aspects of Max MSP is it’s ability to do real-time visual rendering. In this workshop we’re going to learn how to program our own custom visual designs as well as different techniques to make them respond to audio in real-time. Through this workshop we’ll explore different aspects of how Jitter and OpenGL operate within the Max domain along with a look into many incredible max objects. We’ll also touch on some signal processing techniques and how to patch it all together.
Session Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:
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Program their own visual animations in Max MSP
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Have a basic understanding of Jitter, OpenGL and the differences between them.
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Learn several techniques to make the visuals responsive to audio in real-time
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Think of the design aesthetics from a new perspective.
Session Study Topics
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Intro to jitter and OpenGL + key objects
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Real Time Audio Responsive Techniques
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Creating the Visuals
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Design Thinking and Philosophy
Requirements
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A computer and internet connection
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Access to a copy of Max 8 (i.e. trial or full license)
About the workshop leader
Andrew Robinson is an Arizona based interactive experience designer, artist, and educator.
Andrew has been designing real-time audio responsive animations for live music performances, music videos, and more for the past 6 years and has had the opportunity to work with some incredible musical talent. He also received his master’s degree in interactive experience design from Arizona State University in 2019 and now works at Synthesis Center as an educator and researcher for experience design.
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.
Learn to program amazing interactive particles systems with Jitter
In this workshop, you will learn to build incredible live videos with particles systems, using Max and Jitter.
Cycling’74 has recently released GL3, which ties together more closely Jitter with Open GL, and optimises use of the GPU. With this recent update available in the package manager, you can build highly performance videos without having to code them in C++.
Requirements
- Latest version of Max 8 installed on Mac or Windows
- A good working knowledge of Max is expected
- Understanding of how the GEN environment works in Jitter
- Some familiarity with textual programming languages
- A knowledge of basic calculus is a bonus
- The GL3 package installed
- To install this package open the “Package Manager” from within Max, look for the GL3 package and click “install”.
What you will learn
Session 1, 20th October, 6pm UK / 10am PDT / 1pm EST:
– Introduction to GL3 features
– Quick overview of most of the examples in the GL3 package
– Build a simple particle system from scratch
– Explorations with gravity/wind
– Exploration with target attraction
Session 2, 27th October, 6pm UK / 10am PDT / 1pm EST:
– Improve particle system with rendering billboard shader
– Creation of a “snow” or “falling leaves” like effect
– Starting to introduce interactivity in the system
– Using the camera input
– Connecting sound to your patches
Session 3, 3rd November, 6pm UK / 10am PDT / 1pm EST:
– Improve the system interactivity
– Particles emitting from object/person outline taken from camera
– Create a particle system using 3D models and the instancing technique
– Transforming an image or a video stream into particles
Session 4, 10th November, 6pm UK / 10am PDT / 1pm EST:
– Introduction to flocking behaviours and how to achieve them in GL3
– Create a 3D generative landscape and modify it using the techniques from previous sessions
– Apply post-processing effects
About the workshop leader:
Federico Foderaro is an audiovisual composer, teacher and designer for interactive multimedia installations, author of the YouTube channel Amazing Max Stuff.
Graduated in Electroacoustic Musical Composition at the Licinio Refice Conservatory in Frosinone cum laude, he has lived and worked in Berlin since 2016.
His main interest is the creation of audiovisual works and fragments, where the technical research is deeply linked with the artistic output.
The main tool used in his production is the software Max/MSP from Cycling74, which allows for real-time programming and execution of both audio and video, and represents a perfect mix between problem-solving and artistic expression.
Beside his artistic work, Federico teaches the software Max/MSP, both online and in workshops in different venues. The creation of commercial audio-visual interactive installations is also a big part of his work life, having led in the years to satisfactory collaborations and professional achievements.
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