BAIN MUSC 336
Introduction to Computer Music

Learning MSP (Basics)

1. What is MSP? {WP}
   MSP is the audio signal processing component of Cycling '74's Max
   
2. Reading
   • MSP: Introduction {C74}
     
   • How MSP Works {C74}
     
   • How Digital Audio Works {C74}
3. Documentation & Tutorials
• Max 8 Documentation:
• MSP Tutorials {C74}
  
• MSP Topics {C74}
• MSP Guides {C74}
4. Program of Study
• MSP Basics Tutorials
  
• Tutorial 1: Test Tone
• Tutorial 2: Adjustable Oscillator
• Tutorial 3: Wavetable Oscillator
• Digital Audio Acoustics
• Beats, Roughness and Critical Bandwidth (pdf)
• The Beat Equation (pdf)
• Classic Waveshapes and their Spectra (pdf)
• MSP Synthesis Tutorials
• Tutorial 1: Additive Synthesis
• Tutorial 2: Tremolo and Ring Modulation
• Tutorial 3: AM Synthesis
• Tutorial 4: Vibrato and Frequency Modulation
• Tutorial 5: FM Synthesis
• MSP Analysis Tutorials
• Tutorial 1: Signals and Meters
• Tutorial 2: Oscilloscope and Spectroscope
5. Third-Party MSP Video Tutorials
   • Barry Moon, Baz Tutorials {YouTube Playlist | About}
   • Sam Tarakajian (Dude837), Delicious Tutorials {YouTube Playlist}

C74 - Cycling '74, https://cycling74.com

What Can You Make with Max/MSP/Jitter?

Find Inspiration from other Max Users {C74}

1. Joel Fairstein, The Intervallic Deamon (2022), a suite of Max patchers generating real-time modern instrumental music reminiscent of Frank Zappa and Weather Report {C74}
2. Martel Martin, a MIDI software application that displays chord symbols for chords played in real time on a MIDI keyboard
   
3. Yofiel, Husserl2 Polyphonic 'Analog' Synthesizer (2019) {C74}
   
4. Dynamic Tonality, XronoMorph (2016), a multi-layered rhythmic and melodic loop generator {DynamicTonality.com}
5. Thierry Fournier, Sous-ensemble (2015), interactive sound installation {ThierryFournier.net}
6. Karlheinz Essl {Website}
• Lexicon-Sonate (1992-2020), a real-time algorithmic music generator {Essl.at}
  
• Flow (1998-2018), an ambient sound generator {Essl.at}

What's Next?

BAIN MUSC 540 Learning Max (Intermediate)

Online Course

Matt Wright (Stanford University), Programming Max: Structuring Interactive Software for Digital Arts (Max 7) {Kadenza}

References