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Stanford University

Max MSP Programming Course: Structuring Interactive Software for Digital Arts

Stanford University via Kadenze

Overview

Max is a powerful platform that accommodates and connects a wide variety of tools for sound, graphics, music and interactivity using a flexible patching and programming environment. Max allows most computer users to write a simple, meaningful program within a few minutes, even with limited programming knowledge. But to do something more substantial it's necessary to approach Max as an actual programming language, by taking advantage of its various mechanisms for abstracting program elements into scalable, reusable components that can be combined in increasingly powerful ways.

This class will not cover every single capability of the language, but instead will focus on key concepts and mechanisms that will allow for tremendous new freedom and possibilities in Max. The class will touch upon:

  • sound and movie playback
  • sound synthesis
  • sound and video effects processing
  • algorithmic composition
  • cross-modal mappings (e.g., video affecting audio and vice versa)
  • interactive control (e.g., from QWERTY keyboard, mouse, USB devices, Open Sound Control)

Max programming, like most interesting topics, has deep aspects and shallow aspects. This course will largely focus on the deep aspects: principles, concepts, techniques, and theory. If you understand these underlying aspects, your capacity to create in Max will deepen exponentially.

At the same time, this is not just a theory class. You will also create your own projects using Max. This course will teach the minimum you need to start working on assignments, but mostly I will teach you how to learn or look up the shallow knowledge on your own using Max’s built-in documentation, the Internet, and the Kadenze course forum, as well as how to program your own tests that answer specific questions or reveal potential bugs. Working in this way, you will also develop essential skills and habits that will develop confidence and self-sufficiency, and serve you in the future.

Syllabus

  • Interactivity
    • This session will explore how to bring interactivity into your work. We will look at the mechanics of using an external device I/O through Max: MIDI, OSC, HID, what objects you use, and typical usage patterns.
  • Data Types in Depth
    • This session goes into data types in depth, giving you a deeper understanding of MAX.
  • Abstractions, Files, and How Max Works
    • This session will recap and review the concepts we've learned in Max, Jitter, and MSP. It will also cover abstractions, Bpatchers, and collections.
  • Max programming paradigms
    • This session will cover multiple instances of abstraction, making multiples with poly~, finite state machines, bottom-up and top-down design and development, and cross-modal mappings.
  • Getting Mathematical: Arithmetic, Logic, Matrices
    • In this session we’re going to get mathematical. We will cover integer and floating point numbers, randomness and noise, human perception(and why you often want to use a log scale when dealing with frequency or amplitude), Boolean true/false logic, and jitter matrices.
  • Structuring Non-Trivial Patches
    • This session will cover best practices for naming, using sub-patchers and encapsulation in your patchers, as well as alternate data paths for larger programs.
  • Introduction
    • This session will introduce you to Max, to this course, and how to get started.
  • Fundamental Elements
    • This session will cover the fundamental elements of Max, getting to know the user interface for programming Max, and the basic mechanical steps of "patching" (ie. putting programs together).
  • What's Really Going on Inside Max
    • Now that you’ve got the flavor of Max and you know how to put together your own patches, we’re going to dive deep into what’s really happening inside the computer as Max runs your patches. This session will cover a deeper understanding of Max Data and Data Flow.
  • Integrating MAX with Other Software and Languages
    • This session will discuss where you can take your Max programming, integrating Max with other computer paradigms, final thoughts, and extra resources, tools, and examples.

Taught by

Matt Wright

Reviews

4.7 rating, based on 67 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Max MSP Programming Course: Structuring Interactive Software for Digital Arts

  • If you are really serious about learning Max, this is the course for you. You will work hard and will emerge with a very solid grounding in how to use this delightful programming environment. Along the way you will meet a very smart professor who'…
  • Anonymous
    The course support was a real let down. I had no prior programming experience and found this very daunting but read the reviews and gave it a shot. When I hit a wall it was there was no support. I tried looking for help in the forum and instead of being given the help I needed I was given cryptic clues by others. This is not helpful. I feel like this course need a proper support team in place to answer issues quicker so that students can maintain enthusiasm not post an answer 2 weeks after OP.
  • Anonymous
    I've been told countless times that Max MSP is an excellent platform for understanding and manipulating live electronics while also being a fantastic performance tool.

    Approaching Max has been a bit daunting for me. But this course seems so far to be designed in a way that is approachable and creative. Assignments are encouraging and challenging in a good way. And I really enjoy Matt Wright’s humorous but informative delivery throughout the course!

    I recommend this course to anyone who’s a bit afraid to dive in MAX, but wanting to give it a try! And it’s a free course so there’s really no reason not to!
  • Profile image for Hakeem Adam
    Hakeem Adam
    This was my very first introduction to Max MSP and it has been extremely helpful in shaping my current practice as a media artist. Not only was the instructor extremely clear and precise in helping new student in particular, get their heads around max, but a lot of the exerices and lesson are filled with valuable knowledge that can be transferred to other fields of creative digital practice. I can highly recommend this course for anyone interested in developing a toolset in digital sound making, with or without Max.
  • Kurt Uenala
    I felt the class was easy to follow and the teacher has a great motivating energy and general great attitude that makes you want to come back to the course and continue. It was easy to follow and extremely well structured. Highly recommended!
  • Anonymous
    hands down the best course on Max MSP programming! learned so much from this super efficient course! Course is on point and deep, kudos to Matt for this amazing teaching
  • Anonymous
    I think this service is great, and I recommend it to others. However, there are a few setbacks. For example, the videos are all for Max 7 and 32-bit. We are at Max 8 and 64-bit. The math that is presented in many of the lectures is dated, and many of the workarounds regarding sequences and synthesis are easier with the MC wrapper.

    When I recommend this to my students, I always come up with disclaimers regarding its outdated material. If a similar format, with updated videos, were available, I'd give this 5 out of 5 stars.
  • Profile image for Mario Vallejo
    Mario Vallejo
    This is such an incredible course, all of the material (videos, files, instructions) are of the highest quality. The teacher Matt is just a genius and he even invites as guests the original creators and developers of the software. The forums really help get to know people who have the same interest in MAX MSP but also it helps us develop a community in which we can help each other. The assignments really help you develop what is seen throughout the course. I have a Master's Degree in Education Technology and I can objectively say this is a fine course!.
  • Anonymous
    This online course on Max programming enables students to make a quick progress with a considerable depth from the horse's mouth. Interestingly, a historical review is provided to learn about the origins and progression of Max to date. Both new star…
  • Anonymous
    I'm only on assignment 3 and I feel I've learned enough to give me a working understanding of not only the rudiments of Max, but how to plan a patch that is beyond basic. I've already used what I know to create a useful patch in Max that I would have otherwise purchased from a seasoned programmer. Matt Wright is a fantastic course leader and explains things very clearly. There is plenty of time to work on each assignment, but enough pressure to make sure you submit by the deadline. The forum engagement is also really useful to connect with your peers; I'm glad it's included as part of the overall grade, as students may be reluctant to connect with others and share work otherwise - so it really feels like you're part of a class.
  • Anonymous
    I consider the offering of this course very valuable from two aspects. 1) Being an experienced Max user myself I found still undiscoverd and interesting new knowledge in the carefully crafted videos and assignments. 2) Being a teacher of courses on interaction design the offering of this course helps me to make a case to use Max as a valuable tool in the field. Prototyping interactive experiences with Max relatively easy, especially for people who do not have a lot of experience using more traditial language oriented programming tools. It supports blended learning in my courses where I can offer homework to the students building there Max skills at home and focus on the content material in the contact moments in my classes.
  • Profile image for Julien Bourgeois
    Julien Bourgeois
    I am midway through the course and enjoy it very much so far. The lectures provide In-depth knowledge about Max Msp and the assignments will really test your understanding of the concepts.
  • Anonymous
    The course is very well organized, the topics are progressive and the theacher is very exact in his explanations, and in video online you can have English subtitles for a better understanding if you are not English language native. Also home works and evaluations are very well organized and you have possibility of support by the staff.
    I have completed it in time, and, even if I already used Max a little, it has been very useful for me, both in audio topics and in video ones.
    I think the course is very suitable also for beginners, and I have recommended it to my students and friends. So I recommend it to you, too.
  • Anonymous
    Matt Wright is an incredible teacher with a depth of knowledge and experience in Max/MSP that puts him in a league of his own above any other source of Max/MSP knowledge I've learned from. The course is very well organized, with the exact level of c…
  • Anonymous
    Very disappointing course with lack of support across the board. I am in the middle of the course and for a start you need to have prior computer language experience to take this. This is not a novice class. The videos move far too quickly. Forums and email support are generally unhelpful if you have any problems. Courese work like submit a 200 word statement on why you made a patch a certain way? give me a break. Teach me useful practical things not ask me to write essays!
  • Anonymous
    I was new to MAX/MSP, but I have an engineering background. For this type of profile, the course is excellent! Only the part regarding the developer kit (writing your own objects in C) could have been a bit more in-depth (e.g. to the point where an object is programmed that creates a "hello world" message upon a bang). Otherwise: great course, both in terms of content and didactic approach, thanks!
  • Sergio Kafejian
    Very good course. I leraned a lot about the inner mechanisms that make MAX a powerfull tool for interactive music. The lecturer has covered a wide field of subjects and from them is possible to envisage several ways of using this software, as well as using third part softwares and external controls and devices. I have done it completeley as a free auditor in 3 weeks. I strongly recommend.
  • Anonymous
    It's very well organized and easy to follow. A great doorway to the Max Universe. During the course I've recommended it to a few friends who had absolutely no experience in Max or Pd, and they've become programmers in their own right.
  • Anonymous
    I came across this course by accident when I needed to start my journey to learn MAX.

    It didn't take me long to realise the calibre of the instructors was top class. I'm very happy I found this course.

    The course is structured in a such a way that you can go through the all the subjects linearly or dip in where you need to. There is additional learning resources to cement your knowledge.

    I came at this course with zero knowledge of MAX. The course teaches shallow knowledge to get going with MAX very quickly. I do recommend you stick with it as you'll come away with the Deep knowledge by the end of it.
  • The missing manual. I've audited only 2 sessions so far. And beginning with session 2, this course presents itself as a radical teaching document – precisely what I, as a musician, artist and designer with math anxiety, needs to be able to take over the creation and updating of my own software - previously written under max 4, 5 and 6. Thanks to Matt Wright and Stanford.

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