Introduction to Max 7

So it's been a while since my last post because of the fairly large amount of paperwork needing done, however I have been working in Max in my spare time. So rather than going over the breadth of devices available, I am going to focus in now on the devices I am using for development.

I am going to use my digital camera to record the screen rather than use screen grab software at this point as I am pushed for time. This is mostly for the benefit of the Pre-Production document so I can disseminate where I am at in the project properly.

So I touched on the fact that Max 7 had been released. I knew this was coming for a while, and I actually stopped my work in Max 6 that I was doing over the summer to wait for the release, as it is a huge platform upgrade. One of the main advancements is being able to develop and/or use max for live devices within Max, without Ableton actually being open. There have also been massive upgrades to the API and search index that make it massively easier to use and understand, which as someone who doesn't understand programming at a deep level was very appealing!

If you have ever used Max 6 or previous versions, then the picture above will probably look quite unfamiliar. In order to make a project look like this in Max 6, you would have had to take massive amounts of time. As of Max 7, these modular objects are now all drag and drop and contained within a neat search system, with great tagging and innovative ways of file searching.

They have also added a frankly incredible tutorial system that is built into the program. As time goes on, this tutorial section will be expanded, but it ships with 5 tutorials that show you a massive amount of what is new to Max 7

It is encouraging for this project that, with the exception of one tutorial, they are ll aimed at exploring the new ways Max 7 allows the user to manipulate sound and visuals. (Someone is looking out for me!)

At this point I would say it's advisable to go and get the 30 day free and fully working version of Max 7 from cycling74.com if you don't have it already, as this will allow you to inspect and play with the projects I have made through following tutorials. (Kenny, I'm looking at you)

Next post please....

Concept Development

So for the next two weeks the focus is on concept development. First off I think it would be useful to outline here what I identified in my research proposal as the main area's I need to focus on for completion.

Max 7 and Resolume are the platforms I have chosen for primary development of the system. There are a number of reasons for this:

• I own a projector that I can use in my room for development. 
• I own Ableton, Max & Resolume
• Max & Resolume haave better online learning resources than the other platforms identified in research.
• The LED system requires many more parts, making for a more cumbersome end product.
• LED's do not allow for complex graphical output except in extremely expensive cutting-edge systems.
• You can emulate the effect of LED's within Max for Live.

During this whole time I have been playing about with pre-existing projects and devices within Max for Live & Max in general, in order to try and familiarize myself with the layout and how it works.

I have found a number of projects on the Max for Live website that display similar characteristics to the ones I have previously identified as needed within this project, which is a great start. In the next weeks I will outline the different devices that generate graphics from audio.

The main issue I have found so far is no-one seems to have scaled the colour wheel to audio parameters yet, within Max. As my research identified this is easily achievable (with some clever maths). When it comes to said clever maths I might not be the man to implement it in Max, hopefully once I know who my project supervisor is they can help or point me in the right direction. I have already started to make contact with certain practioners within the scene, with little response luck to date, however I have started early so I am confident that I will have success there.

During the next few weeks I will also be putting together post detailing case studies and similar systems from youtube, vimeo etc. This is in order to identify ideas that I like and ideas I don't; this will aid me in the process of developing the most effective wasy of implementing the system in a room i.e. would projections mapping the generative graphics onto the speakers be more effective than a tradition 2D screen? 

So in summary, for the next two weeks, expect posts on the following topics.

• Generative graphic devices withing Max for Live and Ableton
• Projection mapping examples using Resolume Arena
• Music that has been created with the visuals being considered as an integral part of the production and performance
• Studio scenarios where the aesthetic has been strongly considered