Build your own modular synth with MSP – On-demand

Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Learn to program patches with MSP to make a custom modular environment.

Cycling 74’s Max / MSP offers a vast playground of programming opportunities to create your own synthesis devices. In this series you will build custom modules to create your own modular synthesis environment. This series aims to provide you with suitable skills to begin exploring synthesis and UI design in the Max MSP environment.

Series Learning Outcomes

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

  • Build oscillator and filter networks with MSP objects

  • Build modulation patches with MSP objects

  • Build step sequencers with Max and MSP objects

  • Explore use of signal routing in interesting and creative ways using MSP objects.

  • Build custom modules using UI objects and bpatchers

Session 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

  • MSP objects for synthesis, filters and modulation 
  • MSP objects to control signal routing
  • UI objects and bpatchers
  • UI objects for sequencers

 

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 

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.

Getting Started with Gen – On-demand

Level: Intermediate / Previous experience with MSP is required.

Build highly efficient signal processing operations in Max using Gen~. In this series of 4 workshops, you will learn the fundamentals of signal processing and develop skills to confidently code with Gen~ in Max. The course contains 24 custom-made example patches along with audio samples that you will build as exercises during the course and be able to use in your own projects.

Series Learning Outcomes

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

  • Become familiar with the Gen~ environment

  • Build various audio processing tools via Gen~ (i.e. delay FX, AM and FM tools)

  • Construct basic Gen~ sampling and synthesis  tools

  • Apply a myriad of Gen~ operators

Series Study Topics

  • The Gen~ environment

  • Audio processing in Gen~

  • Gen~ sampling and synthesis tools

  • Gen~ operators and data management

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection

  • 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.

Granular Synthesis: Getting Started with Grainflow – On-demand

Level: Advanced

Grainflow is a package for Max / MSP that utilizes gen~ and the MC wrapper to allow users to control large numbers of sample accurate grains. This workshop will teach participants about how to use and control large numbers of grains using the Grainflow package and Max’s multichannel wrapper.

By the end of the session students should be able to: 

  • Develop an understanding of granulation and granular synthesis

  • Use Grainflow to build a granular file player

  • Use Grainflow for live granulation.

  • Build a granular time-stretching tool

  • Use the MC output of Grainflow to bus grains stochastically to different effects

Study Topics 

  • Introduction to Grainflow~ – parameters and controls

  • Building a sound-file granulator using grainflow~

  • Building a live granulator using grainflow~.

  • Build a real-time time stretcher

  • Build a system for statistically bussing grains into several effects.

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection

  • Access to a copy of Max 8

  • The Grainflow Package

About the workshop leader 

Christopher Poovey is a Dallas based electroacoustic composer, media artist, and developer.

He is currently a PhD candidate at the University of North Texas with a research focus in interactive computer music and immersive installation. Chris has developed several software packages for Max as well as a number of Max for Live devices and VST instruments built using

Getting confident with Max – On demand

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.

Melody Generation in Max – On demand

Level: Intermediate

The importance of the melody in traditional musical composition is difficult to understate. Often one of the first components the ear latches onto, being able to write a good melody is something of an artform. Producing basic algorithmically-generated melodies using Max/MSP is quite easy, but in order to produce something more ‘musical’ we must refine the generation process.

In this workshop you will learn some ways of generating more complex melodies in Max. This will involve implementing occasional phrase repeats to balance predictability and surprise, locking in some of the more important rhythmic elements and incorporating planned octave jumps alongside more restricted pitch-based travel.

By the end of the workshop you will have constructed a melody generation patch that can be set to play along with your compositions, with a greater understanding of some of the ways in which we can sculpt melody in Max.

Topics

    • Max/MSP
    • Algorithmic Composition
    • Melody

Requirements

  • You should be comfortable with the general workflow and data formatting in Max.

  • Knowledge of MIDI format and routing to DAWs (Ableton, Logic etc) would be a plus, although Max instruments will be provided.

  • You should have some basic knowledge of music theory: chords, scales, modes etc.

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.

Synthesis with Max: Physical Modelling

Level: Intermediate

What you will learn in this course

Cycling 74’s Max / MSP offers a vast playground of programming opportunities to create your own synthesis devices. In this workshop you will build your own synthesis device that utilizes a Physical Modelling architecture. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to begin exploring Physical Modelling synthesis devices in the Max MSP environment.

Session Learning Outcomes

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

  • Build Physical Modelling devices via MSP oscillator objects
  • Explore Physical Modelling spectral sonic properties

  • Construct modulation sources for Physical Modelling synthesis devices

  • Define the sonic timbre and strengths and weakness of Physical Modelling synthesis

Session Study Topics

  • MSP oscillator objects for Physical Modelling
  • Sonograms, scopes and the frequency domain

  • LFO, line & envelope properties

  • Physical Modelling’s timbre. Strengths and weaknesses

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection
  • A good working knowledge of computer systems
  • An basic awareness of audio processing
  • Good familiarity with MSP
  • Access to a copy of Max 8 (i.e. trial or full license)

About the workshop leader

Ned Rush aka Duncan Wilson is a musician, producer and performer. He’s 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.

Synthesis with Max: FM

Level: Intermediate

What you will learn in this course

Cycling 74’s Max / MSP offers a vast playground of programming opportunities to create your own synthesis devices. In this workshop you will build your own synthesis device that utilizes a FM architecture. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to begin exploring FM synthesis devices in the Max MSP environment.

Session Learning Outcomes

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

  • Build FM carrier and modulators via MSP oscillator objects
  • Explore FM’s spectral sonic properties

  • Construct modulation sources for FM synthesis devices

  • Define the sonic timbre and strengths and weakness of FM synthesis

Session Study Topics

  • MSP oscillator objects for FM
  • Sonograms, scopes and the frequency domain

  • LFO, line & envelope properties

  • FM’s timbre. Strengths and weaknesses

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection
  • A good working knowledge of computer systems
  • An basic awareness of audio processing
  • Good familiarity with MSP
  • Access to a copy of Max 8 (i.e. trial or full license)

About the workshop leader

Ned Rush aka Duncan Wilson is a musician, producer and performer. He’s 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.

Synthesis with Max: Subtractive

Level: Intermediate

What you will learn in this course

Cycling 74’s Max / MSP offers a vast playground of programming opportunities to create your own synthesis devices. In this workshop you will build your own synthesis device that utilizes a subtractive architecture. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to begin exploring subtractive synthesis devices in the Max MSP environment.

Session Learning Outcomes

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

  • Deploy MSP oscillator objects
  • Build various filter responses via MSP filter objects

  • Construct modulation sources for subtractive synthesis devices

  • Define the sonic timbre and strengths and weakness of subtractive synthesis

Session Study Topics

  • MSP oscillator objects

  • Filter networks & responses

  • LFO & envelope properties

  • Subtractive’s timbre. Strengths and weaknesses

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection
  • A good working knowledge of computer systems
  • An basic awareness of audio processing
  • Good familiarity with MSP
  • Access to a copy of Max 8 (i.e. trial or full license)

About the workshop leader

Ned Rush aka Duncan Wilson is a musician, producer and performer. He’s 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

Synthesis with Max: Granular

Level: Intermediate

What you will learn in this course

Cycling 74’s Max / MSP offers a vast playground of programming opportunities to create your own synthesis devices. In this workshop you will build your own synthesis device that utilizes a  Granular architecture. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to begin exploring  Granular synthesis devices in the Max MSP environment.

Session Learning Outcomes

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

  • Build Granular oscillators via MSP oscillator objects
  • Explore Granular’s spectral sonic properties

  • Construct modulation sources for  Granular synthesis devices

  • Define the sonic timbre and strengths and weakness of  Granular synthesis

Session Study Topics

  • MSP oscillator objects for  Granular
  • Sonograms, scopes and the frequency domain

  • LFO, line & envelope properties

  •  Granular’s timbre. Strengths and weaknesses

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection
  • A good working knowledge of computer systems
  • An basic awareness of audio processing
  • Good familiarity with MSP
  • 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. 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.

Synthesis with Max: Wavetable

Level: Intermediate

What you will learn in this course

Cycling 74’s Max / MSP offers a vast playground of programming opportunities to create your own synthesis devices. In this workshop you will build your own synthesis device that utilizes a Wavetable architecture. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to begin exploring Wavetable synthesis devices in the Max MSP environment.

Session Learning Outcomes

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

  • Build Wavetable oscillators via MSP oscillator objects
  • Explore Wavetable’s spectral sonic properties

  • Construct modulation sources for Wavetable synthesis devices

  • Define the sonic timbre and strengths and weakness of Wavetable synthesis

Session Study Topics

  • MSP oscillator objects for Wavetable

  • Sonograms, scopes and the frequency domain

  • LFO, line & envelope properties

  • Wavetable’s timbre. Strengths and weaknesses

Requirements

  • A computer and internet connection
  • A good working knowledge of computer systems
  • An basic awareness of audio processing
  • Good familiarity with MSP
  • 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. 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.

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