MAX/MSP

[metalslugger5]

What is your opinion about this program???Does anybody have any tutorials about it????i heard that you can make music like autechre and aphex twin with this program i mean the drum programing..

[aeriae]

It's a programming language. Can be quite (very?) difficult to get a handle on even if you have any kind of programming background, and possibly more so if you don't. But some people find they have an instinct for it. You can get a freeware, more esoteric version of it in the form of 'Pure Data.'

You can make music like Aphex Twin and Autechre without touching Max. A lot of people make the mistake thinking that some particular piece of software will magically create the effect of Autechre, especially. But Autechre sound like Autechre 'cos they're Autechre, and because of the musical choices they make. I've heard way too many terrible attempts at  IDM on myspace where people tried to copy the external sound of Autechre, but their understanding of music was zilch and the results have been crap.

This isn't to say Max can't do a ton of interesting things.

[metalslugger5]

Well i downloaded max/msp and it really is difficult but i found some premade patches to play...you are right about the IDM thing you said but i think max msp is an easier way to do all this loop staff and duckings than dooing it in nuendo by cutting something pasting it and reversing it with your mouse...

[aeriae]

For sure. If you have some idea for a complex pattern, often something like Max or Numerology can be a much faster way to get the many notes involved where you want 'em.

[mcperc]

I struggle with the 'need' to learn MAX/MSP as well, but with LIVE 8 just around the corner and the new 'flagship' product Max For LIVE it might be quite advantageous to learn a little programming in MAX. For instance, you'll be able to program your own VSTs and/or modigy other patches to suit your needs and extend beyond some of the limited abilities of midi controllers.

just a thought.

peace.

[willow]

Whilst MAX/MSP is deffo a hardcore programming language, there are some simpler alternatives:

Abletons Live's beat repeater is great for instant messy beats (just assign those knobs and twiddle away), or, if you have time (patience!) program every hit manually. Alternatively, let random MIDI assignments do the work for you:

Reason is particularly good for this-
1.load a breakbeat into the rex player
2.copy to track
3.select all the notes in that clip
4.hit f8
5.choose 'randomise notes' and select a value between 0 and 100%
6.keep randomising either the whole loop or  segments of it till you get something you like