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. 

Level: Beginner

Ableton Live offers a vast playground of musical opportunities to create musical compositions and productions. Live’s native MIDI FX provides a range of tools to allow the composer and producer to create ideas in a myriad of ways. Max For Live complements these tools and expands musical possibilities. In this workshop you will creatively explore and deploy a range of MIDI FX in a musical setting. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to utilise the creative possibilities of MIDI FX in the Ableton Live environment.

Session Learning Outcomes

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

• Identify and deploy MIDI FX

• Explore native and M4L MIDI FX in Live

• Render the output of MIDI FX into MIDI clips for further manipulation

• Apply MIDI FX to create novel musical and sonic elements

Session Study Topics

• Using MIDI FX

• Native and M4L MIDI FX

• Rendering MIDI FX outputs

• Creatively using MIDI FX

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• Access to a copy of Live Suite with M4L (i.e. trial or full license)

About the work shop leader 

Mel is a London based music producer, vocalist and educator.

She spends most of her time teaching people how to make music with Ableton Live and Push. When she’s not doing any of the above, she makes educational content and helps music teachers and schools integrate technology into their classrooms. She is particularly interested in training and supporting female and non-binary people to succeed in the music world.

Supported by

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 – Advanced

The creative path is not a straight line. In this workshop, you will develop a workflow focused on experimental approaches utilizing randomization, stochastic methods, polymeters, polyrhythms and more using Live and M4L. Experimental audio processing and non-linear mixing activities will be included in the compositional process to create unique sound qualities as well as overcoming creative blocks.

Session Learning Outcomes

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

• Examine various forms of (non)linear compositional strategies

• Identify approaches that provide musical contingency

• Select Ableton’s techniques & M4L devices to use in the writing process

• Design generative methods for complex compositional systems based on the Ableton and M4L environments

Session Study Topics

• Randomization & Stochastic methods

• Polymeters & polyrhythms

• Racks, Audio & MIDI FXs chains

• Max4Live LFO, Shaper, Buffer shuffler, Multimap pro

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• A web cam and mic

• A Zoom account

• Access to a copy of Ableton Live 10 Suite, or Ableton Live 10 with a Max For Live license

About the workshop leader

Simone Tanda is a musician, producer, multi-media artist, tech consultant, and educator.

Based across London & Berlin he is currently creating music for his own project, as well as multidisciplinary artists, film, and commercials.

Level: Intermediate

MaxforLive allows users to develop their own devices for use in composition, performance and beyond. Creating a graphical user interface that complements the device is one of the crucial development stages that can give a device its personality. In this workshop you will learn how to create a custom user interface for a M4L device, including a native Ableton Live style to a completely personalised theme.

Session Learning Outcomes

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

• Identify different styles of user interface

• Explore and configure Live/Max UI objects

• Create custom dials and sliders

• Construct UI systems that synchronise with Ableton Live

• Create pop-up UI windows

Session Study Topics

• UI objects and their properties

• User designed GUI objects

• Translating Ableton Live’s theme system

• Window properties and embedded visual patches

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• A web cam and mic

• A Zoom account

• Access to a copy of Live 10/11 & Max 8 (i.e. trial or full license)

About the workshop leader 

Mark Towers is an Ableton Certified Trainer and a lecturer in music technology at Leicester College. He specialises in Max for Live, as well as working with Isotonik Studios to create unique and creative devices for music production and performance such as the Arcade Series.

Level: Intermediate

Ableton and Cycling 74’s Max For Live offer a vast playground of opportunities to create unique and rich electronic music performances. In this workshop you will create a performance instrument. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to begin exploring improvised performance in Ableton Live and Max For Live.

Session Learning Outcomes

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

• Discuss various forms of performance approaches in Ableton and Max For Live plus their advantages and weaknesses.

• Explore one approach that gives most flexibility and ease for performing.

• Gather assets in Ableton and Max For Live to use in the performance and how to fit them into our chosen approach.

• Develop the approach into a complex performance orientated instrument based in the Ableton and Max For Live Environments

Session Study Topics

• Deploy Ableton and Max For Live devices to create a musical performance.
• Load and organize sounds into Ableton’s Drum Rack.
• Enhance the performability of our instrument using midi processes.
• Develop the approach using Ableton and Max For Live effects.

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• A good working knowledge of computer systems

• A basic awareness of music theory and audio processing

• Good familiarity with Ableton and Max For Live

• Access to a copy of Ableton Live 10 Suite, or Ableton Live 10 with a Max For Live license.

• A midi controller is desirable.

About the workshop leader

Ned Rush aka Duncan Wilson is a musician, producer and performer. He’s most likely known best for his YouTube channel, which features a rich and vast quantity of videos including tutorials, software development, visual art, sound design, internet comedy, and of course music.

Level: Intermediate

Ableton and Cycling 74’s Max For Live offer a vast playground of programming opportunities to create unique compositions and rich sound designs. In this workshop you will create musical and sonic ideas using abstract techniques of composition. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to begin exploring generative composition and complex sound design.

Session Learning Outcomes

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

• Discuss the relevance of using generative processes in certain musical contexts.

• Explore how we can use these processes to create musical ideas.

• Look at ways to capture these ideas to use for future projects.

• Exploring various sound design techniques to add colour and shape.

Session Study Topics

• Deploy Ableton and Max For Live devices to generate musical content.

• Develop this content with various devices such as instruments and effects.

• Capture, edit and consolidate the content.

• • Reflect on the content we created and discuss ways to develop the project further.

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• A good working knowledge of computer systems

• A basic awareness of music theory and audio processing

• Good familiarity with Ableton and Max For Live

• Access to a copy of Ableton Live 10 Suite, or Ableton Live 10 with a Max For Live license.

About the workshop leader

Ned Rush aka Duncan Wilson is a musician, producer and performer. He’s most likely known best for his YouTube channel, which features a rich and vast quantity of videos including tutorials, software development, visual art, sound design, internet comedy, and of course music.

FREE

Date:  Saturday 23rd January – 3pm PST / 6pm EST

Level: Open to all levels 

Presenters

The meetup will be hosted by Chloe Alexandra Thompson and feature the following presentation

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.

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.

Difficulty level: Beginner

In this series of workshops you will explore the Max For Live (M4L) ecosystem, empowering you to utilise them in your own music.

Following these workshops you’ll be able build your own devices in the Max For Live environment!

Ableton Live Suite is a powerful and creative DAW.

Max For Live extends the vast range of creative opportunities that Live offers, allowing you to add third party devices or to create your own unique devices.

Session 1 Learning Outcomes

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

• Become familiar with the M4L landscape

• Explore pre-built M4L devices that come with Live Suite

• Locate and utilise M4L tutorials that come with Live Suite

• Identify third party M4L content

Session 2 Learning Outcomes

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

• Create objects and route patch cables

• Construct user interfaces in M4L

• Build MIDI step sequencers in M4L

• Explore further possibilities within Max For Live

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• A good working knowledge of computer systems

• A basic awareness of Ableton Live

• Access to a copy of Ableton Live Suite (i.e. with Max For Live) (i.e. trial or full license)

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. His specialism is sound design and production techniques such as synthesis and sampling, alongside audio processing and plug-in development.

His credits include collaborations with Placebo, Radiohead, Fad Gadget, Depeche Mode, Moby, Snow Patrol, Mute, Sony BMG, Universal, EMI and Warner Bros.

He holds an MA in Audio Technology from the London College of Music, University of West London, an MSc in Sound & Music Computing at the Center for Digital Music at Queen Mary, University of London and in 2008 became one of the world’s first wave of Ableton Certified Trainers.

He is a member of the UK’s Music Producers Guild, holds a PG Cert in Learning & Teaching, is an Affiliate of the Institute for Learning, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and until recently was Chairman of the London Committee for the British Section of the Audio Engineering Society.

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.

In this series of 23 videos you will explore fundamental sound generation and synthesis techniques and concepts when working with Max, empowering you to begin to build your own synthesis patches and devices that you can deploy in your own music and multimedia projects.

Through a series of guided exercises you will engage in the pragmatic creation of a basic synthesis device that features a wealth of sound manipulation options. This series of workshops aims to provide intermediate Max users with suitable skills to deploy audio DSP and synthesis skills within the Max environment.

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection
• A good working knowledge of computer systems
• Intermediate skills working with Max (i.e. ability to construct basic patches, familiarity with Max workflows, understanding of signal flow, use of messages and lists, creation of objects and adaptation of their properties etc).
• Some familiarity with music creation applications such as a DAW
• Access to a copy of Max 8 (i.e. trial or full license)

Session 1 Learning Outcomes

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

• Identify key elements of the MSP domain
• Create MSP objects and route patch cables
• Compare and contrast possibilities offered by objects within the MSP environment
• Locate and utilise the Max help & Reference system

Session 2 Learning Outcomes

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

• Construct MIDI signal routing
• Deploy MSP oscillators & filter objects
• Build envelope generators for synthesis devices
• Route and sum signal flow

Session 3 Learning Outcomes

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

• Build multi-function LFOs
• Configure modulation routing within synthesis devices
• Utilise BPatchers within patches
• Successfully apply data management techniques

Session 4 Learning Outcomes

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

• Construct and deploy GUI designs
• Utilise presets within Max / MSP patches
• Transform MSP patches into M4L or standalone devices
• Explore further possibilities within MSP

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. His specialism is sound design and production techniques such as synthesis and sampling, alongside audio processing and plug-in development. His credits include collaborations with Placebo, Radiohead, Fad Gadget, Depeche Mode, Moby, Snow Patrol, Mute, Sony BMG, Universal, EMI and Warner Bros. He holds an MA in Audio Technology from the London College of Music, University of West London, an MSc in Sound & Music Computing at the Center for Digital Music at Queen Mary, University of London and in 2008 became one of the world’s first wave of Ableton Certified Trainers. He is a member of the UK’s Music Producers Guild, holds a PG Cert in Learning & Teaching, is an Affiliate of the Institute for Learning, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy