Tag: maxmsp

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Sending Raw MIDI Data in Max (and Pure Data)

Sending out raw MIDI data in Max/MSP with [midiout] for system messages and other live control.

Here, I use the [midiout] object in Max to send individual “note on” and “note off” messages, using our knowledge of the MIDI protocol. We can then expand that to algorithmic MIDI control of sequences in the Arturia DrumBrute Impact, including adjusting the clock and the song position pointer for funky, chaotic beats.

0:00 Intro
0:30 [midiout]
0:59 Basic concept – Note On
3:16 Note Off
4:32 Pitch Bend Change
5:32 Exploring Algorithmic Control
6:47 Controling Sequencers (DrumBrute Impact)
7:09 MIDI Clock Message
9:01 Algorithmic Clock Control
10:03 Start, Stop, and Continue MIDI Messages
11:29 Playing with the Song Position Pointer
13:30 Bringing back the Drunk [metro]
15:00 Closing / Next Steps

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Nonlinear Data-Driven Instruments with Simple Artificial Neural Networks (Max/MSP)

Building a simple artificial neural network in Max/MSP for nonlinear, chaotic control of data-driven instruments.


I’ve talked before about data-driven instruments, and I’ve talked before about artificial neurons and artificial neural networks, so here I combine the ideas to use a simple neural network to give some chaotic character to incoming data from a mouse and joystick before converting into into MIDI music. The ANN (Artificial Neural Network) reinterprets the data in way that isn’t random, but also isn’t linear, perhaps giving some interesting “organic” sophistication to our data-driven instrument.

In this video, I work entirely with musical control in MIDI, but these ideas could also apply to OSC or directly to any musical characteristics (like cutoff frequency of a filter, granular density, etc.).

0:00 Intro
1:43 [mousestate] for Data Input
2:58 Mapping a linear data-driven instrument
7:19 Making our Artificial Neuron
15:27 Simple ANN
20:06 Adding Feedback
22:23 Closing Thoughts, Next Steps

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Control, Communication, and Performance in Electronic Music (MaxMSP & Eurorack)

Talking about ideas of live electronic performance of electronic music using USB Controllers, Max/MSP, and Eurorack.

Here, I walk through how you can use a USB joystick to MIDI synthesizers (like my Eurorack modular) using Max/MSP as a “translator.” Information from the joystick and its buttons comes in on the [hi] (“human interface”) object, and we can shape that data and pass it out a MIDI data to whatever we want.

In this way, we can give ourselves nuanced control of our musical performance, enhancing our electronic music instruments.

0:00 Introduction
0:35 Generative Music and Feedback
1:31 Human Agency in Musical Systems
2:18 Devices for Human Interface
3:05 Today’s Goals
3:36 The [hi] Object
5:36 Looking at the Data
6:25 Isolating the Data with [route]
7:34 Converting the Numbers to MIDI
10:10 2D Piano
11:18 Sending MIDI to the NiftyCase
15:45 Controlling Effects (Wavefolder and Filter)
17:54 A Note about Resolution
18:49 Adding an Amplitude Envelope
19:58 Quick Recap
20:46 More Sophisticated Interactions of Data
23:04 Conclusion, Next Steps

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More Talking Eurorack