Two remarkable new books featuring Max have just been published that should be a part of any serious student’s collection.

First, volume 2 of Electronic Music and Sound Design by Alessandro Cipriani and Maurizio Giri continues the first volume’s exploration of audio applications of Max/MSP through hundreds of interactive examples. In this volume, the focus shifts to DSP effects and a unique treatment of what the authors call “motion” — descriptions of how sound can evolve through time. There is also a section on MIDI for control applications, and perhaps the first coverage of the use of Max for Live in book form.

Volume 2 was translated by our former colleague Richard Dudas now imparting his vast wisdom to students at Hanyang University School of Music in Seoul.

The book just arrived today and I am excited to try out the hundreds of amazing examples that accompany the book. Here’s a link to Electronic Music and Sound Design on Amazon.

Next, I just learned today of the publication of Peter Elsea’s new book The Art and Technique of Electroacoustic Music that includes an extensive chapter on Max. The book is structured as a course on the fundamentals you need to compose with acoustic and electronic sounds, so it doesn’t just cover the use of software, but also recording, editing, and studio techniques.

Peter is one of the true heroes of the Max community, generously sharing his collections of objects and tutorials that remain essential resources for anyone working with the software. He recently retired after more than three decades teaching at UC Santa Cruz, inspiring countless students, a number of whom I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years. It’s also fun for me as a Santa Cruz resident that there is so much Max literacy in this town — something which is entirely Peter’s doing. (OK, it’s not like I’m going to be able to walk into the Red Room and strike up a conversation with a random person about the finer points of funbuff, but you know what I mean.)

Check out The Art and Technique of Electroacoustic Music on Amazon.