An interview with Blockhead creator Chris Penrose
Dom Aversano
Getting Started with Max – July series
Dates & Times: Wednesdays 7th / 14th / 21st / 28th July 6pm UK / 7pm Berlin / 10am LA / 1pm NYC
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
Digging deeper into Flora for monome norns – On-demand
Level: Some experience of norns required
In the second Flora workshop, you will build your own custom L-system algorithms using Flora’s UI and sequence the script using the preset (PSET) sequencer. The script’s community gardening feature will also be covered to give you a new way to share your sequences with a worldwide audience.
By the end of the second workshop, you will be able to:
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Design custom L-system algorithms with the Flora UI and maiden
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Share your custom L-system algorithms using Flora’s community gardening feature
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Sequence presets using Flora and other norns scripts
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Use Flora as a sequencer for your external synthesizer(s) using crow and/or midi
Session study topics
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L-system algorithm properties
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Sharing L-system algorithms
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Meta-sequencing Flora and other norns scripts
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Norns integration with midi and/or crow
Requirements
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A computer and internet connection
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A norns device with Flora installed
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Optional: A midi-enabled controller and/or synthesizer
We have a number of sponsorship places available, if the registration fee is a barrier to you joining the workshop please contact laura@stagingmhs.local.
About the workshop leader
Jonathan Snyder is a Portland, Oregon based sound explorer and educator.
Previously, he worked for 22 years as a design technologist, IT manager, and educator at Columbia University’s Media Center for Art History, Method, and Adobe.
Going further with cheat codes 2: A sample playground for norns – On demand
Level: Beginner
Cheat codes 2 is a sample playground built for monome norns to explore live and pre-recorded audio. It extends traditional slicing and looping workflows to create playful music-making experiences with exciting results. This workshop will help uncover extended techniques for working with the script, including external controllers, creating dynamic soundscapes with the delay, recording patterns, remixing with the arpeggiator, and incorporating randomization to keep your sessions fresh.
Session Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session a student will be able to successfully:
- Create full sample-based compositions with three parts
- Employ methods for quickly generating exciting clock-synced or asynchronous improvisations
- Explore multiple sampling paradigms to find new musical territories
Session Study Topics
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- Structuring compositions with both clock-synced and asynchronous looping/sampling methods
- Creating a base from which to improvise
- Incorporating external controllers to extend your workflow
Requirements
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A computer and internet connection
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A web cam and mic
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A Zoom account
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Access to a norns or norns shield running software 201202 or later
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Familiarity with the basic process of connecting your norns to WiFi
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Familiarity with the basic functions of cheat codes 2
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Access to speakers or an audio interface to share sounds
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Access to any of the following controllers: monome grid, monome arc, USB MIDI keyboard or sequencer (eg. KeyStep or OP-Z), a recent Launchpad (X, Pro, or Mini mk3), USB MIDI slider bank (eg. 16n), MIDI Fighter Twister, or Max for Live
About the workshop leader
Dan Derks is a creative technologist and improviser with a passion for community. He is the host of Sound + Process, a podcast about the artists of lines (https://llllllll.co), and he builds digital tools for monome norns and Max for Live.
Getting started with cheat codes 2: A sample playground for monome norns – On demand
Level: Beginner
Cheat codes 2 is a sample playground built for monome norns to explore live and pre-recorded audio. It extends traditional slicing and looping workflows to create playful music-making experiences with exciting results. This workshop will introduce you to the script including recording audio and loading clips, building loops and slices, making adjustments to timbre and tonality, and exploring different methods for triggering and playback (with or without any external controllers).
Session Learning Outcomes
By the end of this session a student will be able to successfully:
- Navigate the cheat codes interface with ease and purpose
- Employ and extend looping paradigms
- Deconstruct and manipulate audio recordings
- Create a compelling playground for further exploration
Session Study Topics
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- The anatomy of cheat codes
- Loading samples and recording live audio into norns
- Slicing audio into pads as recallable loops or one-shots
- Making timbral and tonal changes to each pad
Requirements
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A computer and internet connection
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A web cam and mic
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A Zoom account
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Access to a norns or norns shield running software 201202 or later
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Familiarity with the basic process of connecting your norns to WiFi
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Access to speakers or an audio interface to share sounds
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External controllers will not be required or used for most of the workshop. For the last section, recommended controllers include: monome grid, USB MIDI keyboard or sequencer (eg. KeyStep or OP-Z), a recent Launchpad (X, Pro, or Mini mk3), or MIDI Fighter Twister
About the workshop leader
Dan Derks is a creative technologist and improviser with a passion for community. He is the host of Sound + Process, a podcast about the artists of lines (https://llllllll.co), and he builds digital tools for monome norns and Max for Live.