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:
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Become familiar with the Gen~ environment
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Build various audio processing tools via Gen~ (i.e. delay FX, AM and FM tools)
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Construct basic Gen~ sampling and synthesis tools
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Apply a myriad of Gen~ operators
Series Study Topics
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The Gen~ environment
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Audio processing in Gen~
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Gen~ sampling and synthesis tools
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Gen~ operators and data management
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
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.
Create Music Visuals with TouchDesigner / Fundamentals – On-demand
Note: Add this workshop to your cart along with the full workshop series to get £10 off at checkout
Level: Beginner
Overview
TouchDesigner is a tool that gains popularity among musicians who want to create visuals for their music and do audio-visual experiments. This workshop is an introduction to the series “Create Music Visuals with TouchDesigner – Going Further”. You will be guided through TouchDesigner environment, learn how to create 3D scenes and control visual parameters with sound, discuss audio-visual art with your peers and, of course, make visuals! Try it and see if you want to learn more in the coming weeks with Going Further.
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Discuss some names in the history of audio-visual art and ideas that inspired the field
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Understand fundamentals of 3D rendering in TD
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Create basic geometric shapes, light and texture them
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Create audio-reactive visual progression that switches between camera views
Computer animation in the 21st century – the 3D space.
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Ideas and key figures in the history of audio-visual art
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3D rendering set up
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Simple 2D compositing
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Triggering actions and controlling parameters with CHOPs
Requirements
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A computer with internet connection
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A three button mouse or Apple Track Pad appropriately configured
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TouchDesigner installed (free version suffices https://derivative.ca/download)
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If your on Mac please check TouchDesigner can run on your system (i.e. has basic GPU requirements such as Intel HD4000 or better)
About the workshop leader
Dancing Pixels (Masha Rozhnova) is a London based artist who creates audio-visual performances and videos for musicians. For the past three years she has been using TouchDesigner as the main tool for content creation, show control and as an engine to enable interaction with the audience. She performed at Live Performers Meeting in Rome, at New River studios and Crux events in London.
Creative MIDI FX in Ableton Live – On demand
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:
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Identify and deploy MIDI FX
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Explore native and M4L MIDI FX in Live
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Render the output of MIDI FX into MIDI clips for further manipulation
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Apply MIDI FX to create novel musical and sonic elements
Session Study Topics
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Using MIDI FX
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Native and M4L MIDI FX
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Rendering MIDI FX outputs
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Creatively using MIDI FX
Requirements
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A computer and internet connection
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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
Create with MPE in Live 11 – On demand
Level: Beginner
MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) offers a vast playground of musical opportunities to create musical compositions and productions. Live 11 supports a range of MPE tools to allow the composer and producer to create ideas in a myriad of ways. In this workshop you will creatively explore and deploy a range of MPE techniques in a musical setting. This workshop aims to provide you with suitable skills to utilise the creative possibilities of MPE in the Ableton Live environment.
Session Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:
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Identify the role and function of MPE
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Explore MPE compatible devices in Live
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Utilize MPE controllers within Live 11
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Apply MPE to create novel musical and sonic elements
Session Study Topics
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Using MPE
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MPE devices in Live
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MPE controllers
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Creatively using MPE
Requirements
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A computer and internet connection
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Access to a copy of Live 11 (i.e. trial or full license)
About the workshop 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
Simple Systems for Live Performance: A TouchDesigner Primer – On-demand
Level: Intermediate
Whether at a concert or in a music video, visual effects can do so much to enhance the listener/viewer’s experience and create a lasting impression. This workshop aims to demonstrate how, using TouchDesigner, one can convert MIDI and acoustic audio signal into dynamic visual performances.
Session Learning Outcomes
By the end of these sessions a successful student will be able to:
PT1:
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Design and implement generative visual effects which evolve over time
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Map out a show control system with high-level hooks for updating state in production
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Create simple audio +/ MIDI signal workflows
PT2:
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Persisting/loading custom presets with Python + JSON
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Map a visualization onto any performance environment, whether physical or digital
Session Study Topics
PT1:
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How to build custom UIs with widgets in TouchDesigner
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Encapsulating new and existing VFX patches in reusable components
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Basic MIDI input with TouchDesigner
PT2:
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Programming advanced actions with Python in TouchDesigner
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Making custom MIDI mappings which plug into a global control system
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Outputting anywhere: projection mapping, NDI streaming, DMX / lighting fixtures
Requirements
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A computer and internet connection
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A free (or higher) license of TouchDesigner
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A text editor for programming, such as Sublime Text 3 (recommended)
Recommended:
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Webcam and/or microphone
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A text editor for programming, such as Sublime Text 3 (recommended)
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Virtual audio routing software (e.g VB Cable on Windows, Soundflower / Loopback Audio on Mac) you can use to send audio to TouchDesigner directly from other software on your computer, such as Spotify
About the workshop leader
Ben Benjamin is a programmer and performer based in Los Angeles. He is obsessed with the intersection of media, culture, and technology.
Getting started with Max – for beginners
Level: Beginners curious about programming
Get started with interactive audio and MIDI, and discover the possibilities of the Max environment. In this series of recorded videos, 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 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.
This on demand content aims to enable you to work with Max confidently on your own.
Learning outcomes:
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Understand the Max environment
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Connect building blocks together and work with data
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Master the user interface
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Work with your MIDI instruments
Requirements
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A computer and internet connection
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A good working knowledge of computer systems
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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.
Audio visual creation & performance with TDAbleton – On demand
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
This workshop will show participants how to build their own audio visual performance using TouchDesigner and Ableton. TouchDesigner is a visual programming language for real time interactive multimedia content. Using the TDAbleton tool, a vast array of audio elements within Ableton can be used to automate an audio reactive visual show.
Session Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session a successful student will be able to:
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Understand the TDAbleton tool
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Link a number of audio elements in Ableton to drive visual content in TouchDesigner
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Begin to build their own audio visual set for live performance
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Consider different approaches to audio visual performance and creation.
Session Study Topics
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TDAbleton tool
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Triggering different TouchDesigner visual sets with Ableton midi clips.
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Controlling TouchDesigner visual parameters with Ableton macros
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Touchdesigner operators- TOPS, Maths Chop.
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Performance Mode.
Requirements
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A computer and internet connection
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A Touchdesigner free license (https://derivative.ca/download)
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Ableton Live 10 or 11 ( for Live 11, you will need to use the latest version of TouchDesigner and select the TDAbleton beta plugin)
About the workshop leader
Nilly Brook lectures various visual technologies across a number of institutions including: The National Film and Television School, Central Saint Martins, Wimbledon School of Art, London South Bank University and Private clients.
She is also a musician, producer and audio-visual performer working on two separate solo projects.
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.
Generative Music Tools: LFOs and Pitch Quantization – On demand
Level: Intermediate
There are a broad array of techniques musicians can use to generate music in Max. One fundamental component of traditional analogue synthesiser use is the LFO, or low-frequency oscillator. Additionally, pitch quantization can be an extremely powerful tool, especially when used alongside the values generated by an LFO.
This workshop will provide you with the information to construct both devices in Max, giving you a broader palette of compositional tools.
Session Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session you will be able to:
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Learn the basics of LFOs and pitch quantizers.
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Build a standalone LFO patch with variable waveforms and a functional UI.
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Build a quantizer which will map incoming pitch values to user-defined scales/modes.
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Use both devices to control parameters of sound synthesis and assist in generative music composition.
Session Study Topics
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Generative music
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LFOs and waveforms
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Pitch quantization
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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
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:
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Confidently navigate the Max environment to quickly gain access to content and learning resources.
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Deploy resources into a patch.
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Connect and explore these resources to develop ideas for sound and media design, composition and performance.
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Navigate the help file system and reverse engineer existing content in the Max application.
Session Study Topics
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The Tools available in a Max such as Beap and Vizzie modules.
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Playlists and drag and drop media.
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Bpatches, prototypes and snippets.
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The helpfile system.
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
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.