Book Image

Multimedia Programming Using Max/MSP and TouchDesigner

By : Patrik Lechner
Book Image

Multimedia Programming Using Max/MSP and TouchDesigner

By: Patrik Lechner

Overview of this book

Max 6 and TouchDesigner are both high-level visual programming languages based on the metaphor of connecting computational objects with patch cords. This guide will teach you how to design and build high-quality audio-visual systems in Max 6 and TouchDesigner, giving you competence in both designing and using these real-time systems. In the first few chapters, you will learn the basics of designing tools to generate audio-visual experiences through easy-to-follow instructions aimed at beginners and intermediate. Then, we combine tools such as Gen, Jitter, and TouchDesigner to work along with Max 6 to create 2D and 3D visualizations, this book provides you with tutorials based on creating generative art synchronized to audio. By the end of the book, you will be able to design and structure highly interactive, real-time systems.

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Multimedia Programming Using Max/MSP and TouchDesigner
Patrik Lechner
Nov, 2014 | 404 pages
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Table of Contents (19 chapters)
Multimedia Programming Using Max/MSP and TouchDesigner
Multimedia Programming Using Max/MSP and TouchDesigner
Credits
Credits
About the Author
About the Author
About the Reviewers
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Preface
Free Chapter
1
Getting Started with Max
Getting Started with Max
Understanding the basic concepts of Max
Modular basis for expressions
When to use Max
Summary
Exercises
2
Max Setup and Basics
Max Setup and Basics
Setting things up
Basic Max patching and GUI
Creating our Hello World program
A quick overview of GUI
Summary
3
Advanced Programming Techniques in Max
Advanced Programming Techniques in Max
Introducing the synthesizer example
Initializing a patcher
Excursus of microscopic timing and message ordering
A bpatcher for MIDI input
Sending and receiving data
The #n notation
Collections of data
More message box magic
Structuring our patches
Timing in Max
The event priority
Debugging
Scripting and the this patcher
Summary
4
Basic Audio in Max/MSP
Basic Audio in Max/MSP
Basic audio principles
Audio synthesis
Sampling and audio file playback
Mixing and signal routing
Summary
5
Advanced Audio in Max/MSP
Advanced Audio in Max/MSP
More sampling
FX
FFT
Sample-accurate sequencing
Summary
6
Low-level Patching in Gen
Low-level Patching in Gen
Introducing Gen
The Gen workspace
Examples
Further reading
Summary
7
Video in Max/Jitter
Video in Max/Jitter
Inputting and outputting Jitter data
Getting started with the Jitter matrix
Using OpenGL in Jitter
Summary
8
Max for Live
Max for Live
Introducing the fundamentals of Max for Live
Parameters and saving
The Live API
An example device – a parameter modulator
Summary
9
Basic Visualization Using TouchDesigner
Basic Visualization Using TouchDesigner
The need for TouchDesigner
How to get help
Basics and UI of TouchDesigner
Summary
10
Advanced Visualization Using TouchDesigner
Advanced Visualization Using TouchDesigner
The basic audio-reactive video
A 2D composting example
Replicator COMP
Connecting Max and TD
A component for lots of movies
Converting between OP families
Dealing with time
Introducing 3D rendering
Summary
11
3D Rendering and Examples
3D Rendering and Examples
Interactive and non-procedural tools
The Geo COMP
Camera, light, and shading
Summary
12
Connecting Our Software to the World
Connecting Our Software to the World
Analog synths and control voltage
Arduino and microcontrollers
Multi-touch screens
Interfacing other programs
Multispeaker setups
Exporting an application
Collaborative work
Summary
Index
Index

Chapter 8. Max for Live

Max for Live allows us to use Max/MSP/Jitter inside Ableton Live. Plugin design could hardly be any easier than the Max for Live (M4L) system. We can easily build custom audio FX, instruments, MIDI FX, or sequencers, or even control the Live application using a custom Max patch. The lack of a full-featured timeline/sequencer inside Max is resolved by porting our Max patches to Live, and if we ever need something inside Live that isn't there, chances are that we can quickly patch it together. As in every complex piece of software, there are a couple of pitfalls for the beginner and general particularities inside the Max for Live environment. So here, we'll try to shed some light on how to use it and what the differences between regular Max patching and the creation of a Max4Live device are. In this chapter, we are going to cover the following topics:

  • Introducing the fundamentals of Max for Live

  • Parameters and saving

  • The Live API

  • An example device – a parameter modulator...

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