Articles

Max 8.3 Starters

As you begin to explore the new features of Max 8.3, we'll be sharing simple patcher ideas here made by the Cycling '74 team that demonstrate a starting point for further exploration. You can expect to find everything from generative musical sequencers to sound design sketches. Check back every week as we update this post with new patches, and tune in to our Instagram to see these patches in action.

1. Clacky

(4/28/2022) This patch uses MC objects to create a cloud of sample material that goes from rhythmic to tonal.

clacky.maxpat
Max Patch

2. WhatArp

(5/4/2022) This patch uses mc.chord~ to generate a chord that is then played as a polyphonic arpeggio using what~ and mc.snowphasor~

dz-whatARP.maxpat
Max Patch

3. TablePan

(5/12/2022) This patch combines some amplitude modulation using shape~ with audio-rate modulated panning driven by table~.

ddz-tablepan.maxpat
Max Patch

4. Crosspatch Drone

(5/18/2022) The new crosspatch UI object allows for quick experimentation with modular signal routing. In this patcher, several source oscillators modulate a set of different processes to make a drone sound.

crosspatch-drone.maxpat
Max Patch

5. Subdiv Fun

(5/25/2022) The new subdiv~ object has been a favorite around the office. This patch leans on to generate some randomly shifting arpeggios that recall modular synthesis techniques.

subdivfun.maxpat
Max Patch

6. Midiplayer Fun

(6/2/2022) This patcher uses mc.midiplayer~ with a VST/AU instrument plugin (not included) to create a cloud of overlapping notes similar to granular synthesis. A little comb filtering on the end adds some extra pitching.

midiplayer-fun.maxpat
Max Patch

7. Algo Doof

(6/9/2022) Tom uses the probability list feature of subdiv~ to bring us a probabilistic drum sequencer ready to rip up the bush doof. A Max for Live Midi effect device is also included.

algo-doof.zip
application/zip 13.33 KB

8. Hairpin

(6/16/2022) The combo of snowphasor~ and phasegroove~ here unlocks extended granular sampling with groove~. The phasegroove~ object enables the use of groove~ (including all the pitch and timestretching features) driven by a ramp, making it behave similarly to wave~ with some added sonic possibilities.

hairpin.maxpat.zip
application/zip 2.40 KB

9. Simple1

(6/24/2022) This patch sets up 2 overlapping groove~ rhythms, using the swing~ object to create extra variation in the playback.

simple1.maxpat
Max Patch

10. Laser22

(7/22/2022) This deceptively simple patch uses a pair of phasor~s to both trigger and modulate a ramp~ object to generate a sci-fi laser effect. A twist~ is added to provide a little extra curve.

lazer22.maxpat
Max Patch

11. Snow 2D

(8/4/2022) This patch couples mc.snowphasor~ and mc.snowfall~ in 2D mode with a simple visualizer built on Jitter OpenGL. Here mc.snowfall~ is manipulating the parameters of audio sample playback as well as a filter.

snow2d.maxpat
Max Patch

12. Quickwhat

(8/18/2022) This one uses jit.noise to generate trigger positions for use with what~ to create randomized rhythmic patterns.

quickwhat.maxpat
Max Patch

13. Groovespread

(8/25/2022) In this patch we explore some wild timbre manipulation using MC, driving a wash of sample loops using both mc.generate~ and wrapper messages to set different speeds across the channel space. The groove~ playback is driven here by mc.phasegroove~ to allow sync'ing to a ramp signal.

groovespread.maxpat
Max Patch

14. Happy Game

(9/1/2022) Get ready for some pixelated adventures with this simple generative theme creator. Randomized sequences are fed into the stash~ object to create a mix of repetition and change. The output of stash~ is then run through a table~ loaded with a major scale and scaled to the appropriate range for the simple monosynth. Lots of different ways this simple structure could be enhanced to build more interesting generative music machines.

happygame.zip
application/zip 5.52 KB

15. Jangler

(9/8/2022) Load up your guitar and instrument clips and explore this granular sample playback patcher driven by mc.snowphasor~. This starter patch would work well as a base for exploring granular sampling and rhythmic sample chopping techniques.

jangler.maxpat
Max Patch

16. Raindrum

(9/15/2022) This patch uses mc.snowphasor~ to generate randomly timed ramps that drive an envelope with shape~ that activates a simple filtered noise drum voice.

raindrum.maxpat
Max Patch

17. MC Masher

(9/28/2022) This patch begins with a simple instrument sample that drifts out of sync into a lush ambient track by leveraging mc.phasegroove~ together with mc.groove~.

ben-mc-masher.maxpat
Max Patch

by on 2022年4月27日 23:05

Creative Commons License
vojko v's icon

vojko v

4月 28 2022 | 7:06 午前

what does twist~ do here in clacky? it doesn't seem to bend the phasors input when placed this way

Andrew Benson's icon

Andrew Benson

4月 28 2022 | 7:09 午後

@VOJKO V there was a minor patching error that should now be fixed. Should have been "twist~ @curve 0.5"

Lewis Keller's icon

Lewis Keller

5月 14 2022 | 8:10 午前

In example 3 TablePan, I think the table~ objects aren't named so they don't share data with the itable GUI editors?

Jan M's icon

Jan M

6月 18 2022 | 8:12 午前

Could anyone share some insights on the use of the [tanh~] object at the end of the signal chain in the Hairpin patch? What's the idea/theory behind it?

Arthur Sauer's icon

Arthur Sauer

6月 18 2022 | 8:34 午前

@jan saturation. There are other functions as well: https://www.native-instruments.com/forum/threads/a-useful-saturation-function.314847/

Jan M's icon

Jan M

6月 18 2022 | 9:32 午前

Thanks a lot @arthur ! also for the link!

Diemo Schwarz's icon

Diemo Schwarz

4月 05 2023 | 4:27 午後

Hum, all patch download links give me an html file with extension .maxpat that says

The page you are looking for doesn't seem to exist.

Ben Bracken's icon

Ben Bracken

4月 05 2023 | 6:40 午後

@DIEMO Thanks for the heads up, we will look into it.

Ben Bracken's icon

Ben Bracken

4月 05 2023 | 8:16 午後

@DIEMO this should be fixed now!