Max/MSP 5 Released, A/V Nerds Rejoice!
After 20 years of the same old interface, Max/MSP has finally gotten a facelift from Audio Video Synthesis company Cycling74. Max 5 is a graphical programming environment for audio/video that in recent years has been copied by similar nodal interfaces found in Quartz Composer, Motion, and Shake. According to Cycling74, “Max is the way to make your computer do things that reflect your individual ideas and dreams. Version 5 is a dramatic transformation of Max that begins a new chapter in the program’s history.”
Max is a digital environment for what used to involve analog synthesizers connected via patch cords to oscillators and electronic sensors. Using Max, you can basically connect any device to your computer and use it to make music and visuals. For instance, I could use the longitude and latitude from a GPS device as a controller for music. Or, I could use Midi from a keyboard to alter the behavior of video. The possibilities seem endless with Max.
Several enhancements in the latest release include a Streamlined Interface (w/ multiple undo, zoom, and grid), presentation mode (which should make creating User Interfaces much easier and cleaner), Integrated Documentation (hopefully this will make learning Max easier), Timing (using beats and bars instead of milliseconds should make it easier for musicians), Debugging features (including tapping into what A/V signals look like anywhere in a patch), and a File Browser with Searching!
Max 5 is a packaged set of A/V synthesis objects for $699. Students can get an educational discount or a 9 month license. The Max 5 Upgrade is $199. Try Max out with a fully functional 30 day demo.
