Midi manipulation software
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Has anyone had experience with this. Logic X offers some, but not as robust as I would like, without learning Javascript and using their Scripter plugin.... I have a Sonuus I2m (hardware/software) which has some great features, but not supported on the mac since OS changed to 64 bit.... I would like to experiment with generating different notes and chords from CC messages and midi notes etc. I have a KMI softstep (hardware/software), which also has some great features. Anyone have knowledge of the midi capabilities of the other DAWs out there? I have just heard of a program called Max which sounds interesting. (they have a version for Live)... Just wondering who out there is doing this ie using sylphyo midi data to create complex chords and harmonies etc. Thanks
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@paul-flute
I don't know Max 4 Live but I use Max for many years now. It is the biggest and most powerful graphical programming environment available for MIDI, Audio and Video. It can do anything from generating and processing MIDI and audio to sound & light installations and video effects. But it has a steep learning curve. You can do simple patches on the first day and there are tutorials available, but it may take a couple of months to get familiar with it. There are always a couple of ways to reach a target.Max and Logic are a good team, I use them individually and together, often generating/processing MIDI and sound in Max and recording, mixing and adding other elements in Logic.
Sylphyo bench, for example, is a Max application but too old for many of todays computers. You can interface the Sylphyo yourself in Max. Definitely a good, not too difficult and expandable project.
@paul-flute said:
generating different notes and chords from CC messages and midi notes etc. I have a KMI softstep (hardware/software)
This is one domain of Max.
(Btw, the KMI Softstep editor is a Max application, but they messed it up and made it over-complicated. A while ago I had a Softstep and made my own interface in Max, just with the things I needed.)
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@peter-ostry Thanks Peter... I thought if anybody replied, it would be you... I would love to hear the things you have done... do you have any examples to share? I will check out max, tho it seems like it can do so much more than I will use.. I see they have a 30 free trial. Cheers
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@paul-flute
Yes, Max can probably do more than you will ever need but this is normal. Nobody uses all of the program. Some people build MIDI routers and processors, some build synthesizers, sequencers, audio effects, generative patches, museum installations, sensor applications etc.However, Max is expensive and it really takes a while to learn the basics. The fun comes afterwards. You could risk 1-2 months subscription if you are not convinced after the 30-day trial period.
@paul-flute said:
I would love to hear the things you have done... do you have any examples to share?
Example
MP4 movie: Generative Text
A demonstration of a generative music system I tried in Max. The idea was, that rhythmic melodic text should produce rhythmic melodic music. The first half plays capital letters and pauses. The second half plays upper- and lowercase letters as notes and makes pauses after syllables, words, sentences and paragraphs. The sound comes from two AU plugins, one for uppercase and one for lowercase characters. Notes and weighting per character are in a kind of table, based on the German language (simple statistics).I think the example covers some of the bandwidth Max is capable of. Sometimes you need a bit of a programmers brain, sometimes technical creativity. And you must not get scared of endless possibilities.
The "Help" files and the "References" for each single object right in the program are invaluable sources for learning and refinig the skills. YouTube provides Max tutorials. The Max forum is pretty good but not really friendly to beginners. You rather want to read and search in the forum before you start with questions.
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@peter-ostry I had to return my Sylphyo for repair or replacement as I had troubles from the start... So playing with software is on hold. I will watch some tutorials and see what I can learn. Thanks again.
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@paul-flute Anyone experienced with MidiFire software?