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

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. 

Don’t forget to also sign up for the Live AV Performance by Leon Trimble followed shortly after this Masterclass – Live AV Performance by Leon Trimble – Music Hackspace

Masterclass Date & Time:  Friday 16th April 5pm UK

The Gravity Synth is a musical instrument combining the instrumentation used to detect gravitational waves, and a modular synthesiser. The experimentation with the scientific and musical equipment has been a collaboration between researchers at the Institute for Gravitational Wave Astronomy at University of Birmingham and audiovisual artist Leon Trimble. This is a parallel journey exploring the similarities between the processes of art and science. Leon Trimble has been working on the gravity synth since 2016 when, having sat down next to Dr.Hannah Middleton (Gravitational wave data analyst). From that moment on they started meeting and Leon & Hannah planned how the sound of a Michelson Interferometer (IFO) could be shaped into a performance. As time went on and the interferometer bedded into the performance, Leon upgraded parts of the modular synthesiser to accompany the IFO and Aaron refined components of the IFO to more accurately make sound.

Link: https://gravitysynth.tumblr.com/

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection
• A Zoom account

Level: Beginner +

Brian Eno used arranged tape loops for composition in the 1970 Discreet Music and Music For Airports. This M4L device takes those ideas and uses them for a simple but effective loop playback device. In this workshop you’ll learn how to work with audio file playback objects like buffer~ & groove~ along with send & receive concepts and sub-patches.

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

• Build a basic audio file playback device.

• Explore signal routings using send & return objects.

• Use sub-patch encapsulations in M4L.

• Describe the signal flow in a M4L device.

Session Study Topics

• Max objects for audio playback.

• Audio signal flow.

• Encapsulations in Max.

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• A web cam and mic

• A Zoom account

• Access to a copy of Max 8 (i.e. trial or full license)

About the workshop leader

Johan Englund is a music producer based in St Leonards East Sussex and an educator for Tileyard Education (London) and Bimm (London). He has been engaged as a professional in the music industry since the early 1990s and as a lecturer since 2005.

Level: Intermediate

There are a broad array of techniques musicians can use to generate music in Max. One such process involves taking inspiration from Alan Turing’s early work on proto-computers, in particular the notion of a tape with data being displayed on it.

This workshop will provide you with the information to construct such a generative device, a ‘Turing Machine’, to supplement your compositional practice.

Session Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of a Turing Machine in a musical context.

• Patch together a generative process using randomisation and counters.

• Build a functional UI to tweak different aspects of the generative process in real time.

• Use the finished device to both generate music through MIDI and control broader parameters of software instruments.

Session Study Topics

• Turing machines, generative music.

• Random processes: drunken walks and probability.

• Visual design in Max

• Composition through MIDI and software instrument manipulation.

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection
• Access to a copy of Max 7 or 8 (i.e. trial or full license)

About the workshop leader 

Samuel Pearce-Davies is a composer, performer, music programmer and Max hacker living in Cornwall, UK.

With a classical music background, it was his introduction to Max/MSP during undergraduate studies at Falmouth University that sparked Sam’s passion for music programming and algorithmic composition.

Going on to complete a Research Masters in computer music, Sam is now studying a PhD at Plymouth University in music-focused AI.

Dates & Times: 

Session 1: Wednesday 7th April 10am LA / 1pm NYC / 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin

Session 2: Wednesday 14th April 10am LA / 1pm NYC / 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin

Session 3: Wednesday 21st April 10am LA / 1pm NYC / 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin

Session 4: Wednesday 28th April 10am LA / 1pm NYC / 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin

Level: Beginners curious about programming

Get started with interactive audio and MIDI, and discover the possibilities of the Max environment. In this series of workshops, you will learn how to manipulate audio, MIDI, virtual instruments and program your own interactive canvas.

Connect together Max’s building blocks to create unexpected results, and use them in your music productions. Through a series of guided exercises you will engage in the pragmatic creation of a basic MIDI sequencer device that features a wealth of musical manipulation options.

Learn from guided examples and live interactions with teachers and other participants.

This series of online workshops aims to enable you to work with Max confidently on your own.

Sessions overview

Session 1 – Understand the Max environment

Session 2 – Connect building blocks together and work with data

Session 3 – Master the user interface

Session 4 – Work with your MIDI instruments

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• A good working knowledge of computer systems

• Access to a copy of Max 8

About the workshop leader 

Phelan Kane is a Berlin & London based music producer, engineer, artist, developer and educator. For over twenty years he has been active in both the music industry and the contemporary music education sector, with a focus on electronic music and alternative bands.

He specialises in sound design and production techniques such as synthesis and sampling, alongside audio processing and plug-in development.

He is currently running the electronic music record label Meta Junction Recordings and the audio software development company Meta Function, which specialize in Max for Live devices releasing the M4L synth Wave Junction in partnership with Sonicstate.

Sign up here: CMusic Thing Modular – ‘Control’ Online Workshop with Tom Whitwell – Thonk – DIY Synthesizer Kits & Components

Date & Time: Saturday 27th March 7pm GMT / 8pm CET / 12 midday PST / 3pm EST

Level: Beginner – Intermediate (basic soldering experience required)

Eurorack modular synthesizers can be expensive and bewildering.

This workshop will help you develop confidence to build DIY modules yourself, unlocking a huge range of satisfying new opportunities.

Before we start building, Tom will talk briefly about the process of module design, touching on ideas, usability, prototyping, electronics and tools, and answer any questions.

Together, we’ll build a brand new module called Control. It has four big knobs, is 18hp, and gives detailed fine-grained control over any parameters in a modular synth.

Tom wrote about the development process for Control here:

https://medium.com/music-thing-modular-notes/make-knob-twiddling-great-again-47065a346c2

Session Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, a successful student will be able to:

• Confidently solder a through-hole electronic PCB

• Assemble a fairly complex Eurorack synth module, ensuring pots and switches are correctly aligned.

• Have a simple understanding of the process of designing and prototyping music hardware.

Requirements

Required materials:

• This is a through-hole kit. All SMD parts are pre-soldered.

• A fine tip soldering iron – ideally with temperature control.

• Fine rosin core solder (1mm or less in diameter). Leaded solder is generally easier to work with, particularly for beginners.

• Side cutter pliers

Required workspace: 

• From running many workshops in the past, we’ve found that a good workspace is as important as the right equipment:

• Space: You don’t need much, just a clear patch of desk, with a surface that won’t be damaged by the odd drop of solder. A silicone soldering mat is nice but absolutely not essential.

• Light: Enough light to see small components and check their placement. A desk lamp is good.

• Sight: Everyone’s vision is different, but have whatever you need to see small objects clearly – glasses or a magnifier.

• Ventilation: soldering with rosin/flux creates small amounts of smoke and fumes, so work in a room with some ventilation – a window you can open, or just a desk fan to blow the fumes away.

If you have any questions about equipment or workspace, don’t hesitate to email tom@musicthing.co.uk

Required tech: 

• A computer and internet connection

• A web cam and mic

• A Zoom account

About the workshop leader

Tom Whitwell designs Music Thing Modular electronic musical instruments from a shed in Herne Hill, London.  Tom has been designing devices and writing about music for many years, developing hugely popular DIY modules including: Turing Machine, Radio Music and Mikrophonie.

Date & Time: Tuesday 16th March 2021 6pm GMT / 7pm CET / 10am PST / 1pm EST

Level: Advanced

In this workshop, you will explore tools and techniques to create phaser audio effect devices in Gen via Max. Explore all pass filters, feedback loops, signal routing and LFOs via a series of exercises. This workshop aims to enrich your musical output via the application of a self-made audio effects and novel sound design techniques. Gen provides highly optimised audio processes that matches C++ and is the ideal technology for improving complex Max patches and optimising CPU.

Session Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:

• Identify key Gen objects for audio phasor effects devices

• Build all pass filter devices with feedback networks

• Configure Gen parameters and properties

• Add LFO networks for filter modulation

Session Study Topics

• Gen objects

• All pass filters

• Gen variables and parameters

• LFO modulation sources

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• A web cam and mic

• A Zoom account

• Access to a copy of Max 8 (i.e. trial or full license)

About the workshop leader

Phelan Kane is a Berlin & London based music producer, engineer, artist, developer and educator.

He is currently running the electronic music record label Meta Junction Recordings and the audio software development company Meta Function. He has released the Max for Live device synth Wave Junction in partnership with Sonicstate.

Dates & Time:  Saturday 27th March 3pm GMT / 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.

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. 

List of presenters will be announced before each event. 

Requirements 

• 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.

Date & Time: Saturday 20th March 3pm PST / 6pm EST

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.

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. 

List of presenters will be announced before each event. 

Requirements 

• 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.