This praxis seminar will cover technical aspects of live performance with digital audiovisual media. It will teach the use of the software MaxMSP (Cycling74) to take live performance input and create dynamic sound and visual output in real time. We will cover the basics of data flow programming and the way it is done in Max. We will look at crucial aspects of time, timing, and temporal processes. We will introduce four types of media handled by Max, events (such as MIDI), audio signal processing (MSP), video processing (Jitter), and 3D graphics (OpenGL), and the ways in which Max’s real time paradigm allows rapid prototyping and performance composing on them. In order to do this, we will understand the ways in which 1) data is received from input devices such as sensors, cameras, microphones, and physical computing circuits; 2) messages are sent and received across different concurrent processes within Max; and 3) how these control sound and image in real time. 

Hint:

An own licence for Max/MSP or Max4Live is recommended. Some licences for groups can be provided. 

Reading list

Cipriani, A. and Giri, M. (2016) Electronic music and sound design: theory and practice with Max 7. Third edition. Rome, Italy: ConTempoNet.

Cook, M., Banzi, M. and Cuartielles Ruiz, D. (2015) Arduino music and audio projects. [Berkeley, CA]: Apress. 

Edstrom, B. (2016) Arduino for musicians: a complete guide to Arduino and teensy microcontrollers. New York: Oxford University Press. 

Manzo, V. J. (2016) Max/MSP/Jitter for music: a practical guide to developing interactive music systems for education and more. Second edition. New York: Oxford University Press. 

Winkler, T. (1998) Composing interactive music: techniques and ideas using Max. Cambridge, Mass: MIT.