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.

Level: Beginner

Cycling 74’s Max / MSP offers a vast playground of programming opportunities to create your own sound design and multimedia applications. In this workshop you will build a patch using items from the Max tool bar such as Beap and Vizzie as well using media from your own collection, plus explore ways to open up, reverse engineer and modify existing resources within the Max.

Series Learning Outcomes

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

• Confidently navigate the Max environment to quickly gain access to content and learning resources.

• Deploy resources into a patch.

• Connect and explore these resources to develop ideas for sound and media design, composition and performance.

• Navigate the help file system and reverse engineer existing content in the Max application.

Session Study Topics

• The Tools available in a Max such as Beap and Vizzie modules.

• Playlists and drag and drop media.

• Bpatches, prototypes and snippets.

• The helpfile system.

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

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

About the workshop leader

Duncan Wilson (aka Ned Rush) is a musician, producer and content creator based in the UK. Whilst perhaps largely known for his Youtube channel, he has also released music independently as well developing content for Isotonik Studios.

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.

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.

Level: All Max users

South Indian Carnatic music is home to a huge array of fascinating rhythms, composed from algorithms. Rooted in maths and aesthetics, Carnatic music has many facets that can be applied to computer music. In this workshop you will be given an introduction to this tradition, and provided with the opportunity to observe, create, and hack various patches that demonstrate some of these ideas.

Session Learning Outcomes

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

• Be capable of reciting a simple rhythmic konnakol phrase

• Be capable of conceiving simple rhythmic algorithms

• Be capable of translating these concepts into simple Max patches

• Understand South Indian rhythmic concepts & terminology such as Tala, Jhati, and Nadai

Session Study Topics

• Learning a konnakol phrase

• Understanding Tala cycles

• Understanding Jhati and Nadai

• Translating rhythmic algorithms into code

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• A webcam and mic

• A Zoom account

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

About the workshop leader

Dom Aversano is a Valencian and London based composer and percussionist with a particular interest in combining ideas from the South Indian classical and Western music traditions. He has performed internationally as a percussionist, and produced award-winning installation work that has been exhibited in Canada, Italy, Greece, Australia, and the UK.

For a decade Dom has studied South Indian Carnatic music in London and in Chennai. He has studied with mridangam virtuoso Sri Balachandar, the resident percussionist of The Bhavan music centre in London, as well as shorter periods with Somashekar Jois and M N Hariharan.

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: Beginner

Tone.js is a Web Audio framework for creating interactive music in the browser. The framework is built with language that is familiar to musicians, producers and programmers. In this workshop, you will use CodePen to learn the basics of Tone.js, how to make a sound, manipulate its characteristics and create a sequencer. You will also be introduced to basics of JavaScript!

Session Learning Outcomes

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

• Feel confident using Tone.js

• Use various synths from the framework and manipulate sounds

• Build a sequencer using Tone.js and basic JavaScript

Session Study Topics

• What web frameworks are and why we need Tone.js

• Understand the concept of time in web

• JavaScript Fundamentals

Requirements

• A computer and internet connection

• A webcam and mic

• A Zoom account

• A CodePen account (free)

About the workshop leader

Purvi Trivedi is a London based web developer with years of experience in music technology & ux research.

She currently works as a Frontend Engineer at Potato, an award-winning digital product studio that works with the likes of Google, PepsiCo, Mozilla, the BBC and NatWest.

She has co-produced KALA, an album that explores human emotions through the design of everyday sounds.

Level: Intermediate

This workshop aims to provide you with  suitable skills to incorporate cryptographic techniques as composition tools within the  Max environment.

Session Learning Outcomes 

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

● Apply a cryptographic method for data  mapping;

● Explore realtime adaptable audio  looper;

● Construct a time based generative  decision maker;

● Build an cryptography based looper.

Session Study Topics

● [Coll] and [Zl] combinations for data  storage and parsing;

● [Sfplay~], [sfinfo~] and @seek

iterations to create modular and

random loops;

● [expr] for loop-adaptable equations.

● [if] for more complex decision-making  operations

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

James Wilkie is a UK-based Sound Artist and composer.

He is currently creating his own work and  collaborating with cross disciplinary artists in  dance, film, and fine art, producing immersive AV experiences.

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.