For this project, I have been learning to use Max 8. I decided to do this as there are many artists I like who have used Max before, such as Fennesz (who I recently saw perform), Tim Hecker, Jonny Greenwood, and Autechre.
Max, also known as Max/MSP/Jitter, is a visual programming language for music and multimedia developed and maintained by San Francisco-based software company Cycling ’74.
So far I have been really enjoying using the software. The structurally open nature of modular coding makes it inspiring to create things in a non-linear structure. This has been making me think differently about how to approach my work in comparison to using clips in Ableton Live.
Initially, I started by creating a basic drum machine (a kick, snare and hi-hat) with simple time-based triggers but found that I preferred to use samples and audio-in to process audio.
I have mostly been experimenting with creating loop-based systems, with changing variables to a degree of indeterminism.
Max 8.2 (and now 8.3) allows for multi-channel devices. The current patch I’m working on uses 64 channels of the same sample. Each of these is the same audio source but all are playing at different random speeds, creating a blended swarm of sound. These are then each ran through an audio downsampler and then randomly panned before being mixed down to stereo. at different speeds, these variables change (speed, downsampling, panning) creating an evolving unpredictable soundscape. As the input continues the sample buffer gradually gets shorter until there is no longer space to load sound and the sound stops.
Below is an improvised session with my bass and Max