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Learning Outcomes

TopThe goals of this module include the following:

1. Use objects within the MAX programming environment to create different forms of synthesis,
2. Use objects within the MAX programming environment to create different forms of signal processing,
3. Know how to create communication between MAX and a standard MIDI controller using CC values,
4. Know how to create a self-designed MIDI interface in TouchOSC and create communication between MAX and TouchOSC,
5. Know how to create communication between MAX and sensors using the iCubeX system,
6. Increase general familiarity with programming in MAX using Max and MSP objects,
7. Apply this knowledge to complete 4 projects and a group create installation.

Prerequisites

TopMUA2105 or equivalent, or approval from instructor.

Schedule

TopFrom BEAP to MAX

Week 1: Basic Monophonic Synth in Max | Exchanging BEAP modules for MAX objects
Week 2: Filters | Student Project 1

FX:

Week 3: Delay, Reverb, Chorus, and Flanger | Choosing Parameters and Building Interfaces
Week 4: Routing MIDI to MAX | Student Project 2

TouchOSC:

Week 5: Building a TouchOSC Interface and Connecting it to MAX
Week 6: Additive Synthesis - kslider, multislider, mtof, prepend, trigger, oscbank~, live.text, and "; dsp status" message

Mid-Semester Break:

Week 7: FM Synthesis in MAX - metro, bang, toggle, random, prob, drunk, preset, pattrstorage

Week 8: Getting Audio into Max | Listening to Audio, Envelope Followers, Mapping to Parameters, Dealing with translation from audio rate to control rate.
Week 9: Working with Samples in MAX - sfplay~, groove~, record~, buffer~ (Due: Project Proposal)

Week 10: Working with Sensors - intro to iCubeX
Week 11: Student Project Review

Week 12: Work on Installation
Week 13: Student Project Review

Assessment

TopAssessment will be in the form of 4 individual projects as well as a group created installation. The projects are as follows:

1. Rebuild a basic synth from BEAP into MAX (Due: Thursday, Week 2) - 15%
2. Create a basic synth with additional FX and parametric control (Due: Thursday, Week 4) - 15%
3. Controlling a synth with TouchOSC (Due: Thursday, Week 6) - 15%
4. Composition for Instrument and Live Signal Processing (Proposal Due: Week 9, Presentation of Rough Draft: Week 11, Final Performance: Reading Week) - 40%

The installation will be part of the PAMS Festival taking place during Week 12. This will be a group-created work with students from other PAMS institutions using audio, video, controllers, and sensors. Your participation will count for 15% of your final grade.

Please note: any late work submitted within a week of the due date will lose a half letter grade (e.g., B to B-/C+). Any work more than a week late will lose a whole letter grade (e.g., B to C). For the portfolio at the end of the semester, this will apply to all submitted work in the portfolio.