Max
Max is a visual programming environment for music, audio, and multimedia, developed by Cycling '74.
DownloadMaxFrom Cycling '74, with a 30-day free trial.In Max, you build programs by connecting objects with patch cords — a dataflow approach that is well-suited to real-time audio and sensor work.
Getting Started
- Download and install Max
- A free 30-day trial is available. Student licences are discounted
- Alternatively, use Plugdata — free, open-source
Key Concepts
Objects — the building blocks of a Max patch. Each object does one thing: receive a number, generate a tone, scale a value, send an OSC message.
Patch cords — connections between objects. Data flows from outlet to inlet. Gray cords are for messages. Green cords for audio.
Messages — the data that flows through cords. Numbers, symbols, lists, bangs.
Audio vs control rate — Max distinguishes between audio-rate signals (continuous, 44100 samples/sec) and control-rate messages (discrete events). Both are used in this course.
Relevant to This Course
- Receiving OSC data from your sensor
- Scaling and mapping sensor values
- Generating and controlling sound output
Related
- Plugdata — free alternative
- OSC
- Mapping
- Sound Design
- Ableton Live
Linked from
- Assignment 2Prototype a Smart Thing16 Jun
- MappingMapping is the design decision of how one parameter space connects to another — how an input drives an output.
- Sound DesignSound design is the practice of creating and shaping sound purposefully for a given context.
- GlossaryKey technical and conceptual terms used in this course.
- Ableton LiveAbleton Live is a digital audio workstation (DAW).
- CodeCellCodeCell is a compact ESP32-based microcontroller module developed by Microbots.
- MQTT-MAX RemoteA web page that turns a phone, tablet or computer into an MQTT device.
- OOCSIOOCSI (Out of Control for Semantic Interactivity) is a lightweight data exchange platform developed at TU/e for design research.
- OSCOSC (Open Sound Control) is a communication protocol for sending data between devices over a network.
- PlugdataPlugdata is a free, open source visual programming environment based on Pure Data (Pd).
- Week 4Écouter Presentations + Furniture Music19 May
- Week 5Object Pitches + Technical Setup26 May
- Week 6Lecture + Design Workshop2 Jun