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    The list of what we're discovering about Max and our users grows each day. We tackle everything from hardware reviews to re-reading books from decades past.


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    Newsletter #124: Meet a WaveDNA member, grab some java, and get packing.

    by Lilli Wessling Hart on
    September 14, 2017

    This week, Cycling '74 talks about WaveDNA, software development and Java, and starts a new series on Max Packages.

    Artist Focus: Peter Slack

    by Darwin Grosse on
    September 12, 2017

    In addition to his development with the WaveDNA team and his life as a musician, Peter Slack is one of those people who uses Max as a kind of Swiss Army Knife. Join me for an interesting and wide-ranging chat.

    Newsletter #123: Check out a new pad controller and take a trip to the (Electri_) City.

    by Lilli Wessling Hart on
    September 6, 2017

    This week, Cycling '74 checks out a new drum pad controller and reads up on a hotbed of electronic music history - Düsseldorf.

    Hardware Overview: BopPad from Keith McMillen Instruments

    by Cory Metcalf on
    September 5, 2017

    Early this year, I found myself in the market for a lightweight pad controller that was affordable and portable, but also flexible and expressive. After looking at a lot of different options that were either too limited, bulky or expensive, I found the BopPad.

    Book Review: Electri_City

    by Darwin Grosse on
    September 5, 2017

    You might be forgiven for thinking that any book whose subtitle is “The Düsseldorf School of Electronic Music” would merely be YAKB (Yet Another Kraftwerk Book). But prepare yourself for a nice surprise...

    Newsletter #123: Take a look behind the Surreal Machines curtain and check out some Push 2/Max patch.

    by Lilli Wessling Hart on
    August 31, 2017

    This week, Cycling '74 sits down with the guys from Surreal Machines and looks at options for repurposing your Push 2 with Max.

    Developer Focus: Surreal Machines

    by Tom Hall on
    August 29, 2017

    Once in awhile, I’m in a position to have a sit-down with the people who make the things I use - in this case, two of the men behind Surreal Machines’ Max for Live devices: Matt Jackson and Peter Dowling.

    Max for Live Focus: The Push 2 as a Max Controller

    by Gregory Taylor on
    August 29, 2017

    When much of the world looks at the Push 2, they see a really well integrated solution for working with Ableton Live. As a Max user, I see that as well – but it’s also an alluring controller/collection of knobs and buttons and LED displays that could maybe be repurposed for, well… something else. Here’s a quick overview of resources out there if you feel the same way….

    Newsletter #122: Explore musical boundaries and check out a new backpack-friendly MIDI controller.

    by Lilli Wessling Hart on
    August 24, 2017

    This week, Cycling '74 chats with Walker Farrell about process, practice and plans, takes a look at Korg’s nanoKey Studio MIDI controller, and announces a special offer from Kadenze.

    Hardware Overview: Korg nanoKey Studio

    by Darwin Grosse on
    August 22, 2017

    The Korg nanoKey Studio seems to have it all: keys, pads, knobs and a touchpad. Let's take a look at how it performs - and if it might be a useful addition to your rig (or your backpack).