2 audio Interfaces + 16 speakers + midi controller
Background info... I'm a 4th year industrial design student working on an experimental audio rig, and ive been told that MaxMSP could act as a platform for my project... before i invest my time into this software id like to know if its possible?
The idea...
is to control 16 speakers individually (or any at my desire) using a midi controller. I want to create motion through out these speakers using samples/ synths with FX's applied to them for live manipulation. I bought 2 Presonus Firestudio audio interfaces which are daisy chained to handle the 16 speaker outputs.
I'm really stuck on the software side of things... so any suggestions/ input would be awesome. thanks!
paul
It's definitely possible to do this with MaxMSP. My advice is to d/l the demo and go through the max and msp tutorials, everything you need to know is in there. Also, consider having a look at Pure Data. The concept behind the program is very similar, yet it's free so it may be a more appealing choice if you don't plan to make a lot of software in the future. However, the tutorials, examples and reference/help docs in MaxMSP are much better (in my opinion) so it would probably be easier to get something up and running quickly.
I just finished an audio installation in Barcelona that used 2 interfaces driving 14 speakers. The interfaces I used were the same ones, PreSonus FireStudio26x26 IO: http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=5.
The Max patch was running under OSX on a Mac Mini. If you look into creating an aggregate device with the Audio Midi Setup utility, it's a pretty straight forward process. The interfaces work in banks of 8 individual analog outputs. One caveat, the output level is really hot and there isn't a simpe way to change this. You may need some kind of attenuation if you're trying to drive -10 inputs on your amps.
BTW, the installation in Barcelona is at the MACBA. The piece is titled 'Parsifal' by Canadian artist Rodney Graham
sounds like a perfect job for Max, I definitely would get the demo and start putting things together. You can check out all the docs online too, if you want to get a feel for how it works. Once you have the demo, to get your particular project up and running, at the very least you'll need:
dac~ --Audio out, in your case you'll want two with 8 channels each.
gain~ --Control the levels of your audio.
cycle~ --sine waves, as a simple test for each speaker, and possibly the beginning of your synthesizers. Each could have its own frequency for identification.
ctlin --MIDI controller data in, to control speaker volume (or anything else).
buffer~ and groove~ --for audio sample playback.
for FX, the list is pretty big, but filtergraph~ is totally fun. Won't do much for sine waves, but any sound more complex and you're off and running. tapin~ / tapout~ will let you get your delay on.
A few extra goodies:
mtr --record and play back parameter automation, like audio levels or synth frequencies
pattr --storing sets of settings, with the ability to interpolate between them at any rate you want
function --graphical envelopes for volume or whatever you want
random --add some spontaneity to your setup, with any level of control
scale --don't like 0-127 values from your controller? change them to any range you want.
Anyway, you'll have a lot of fun with this, and the possibilities will really open up fast. Get your setup working with the most basic patch first, which really won't take long, then build from there. Every single Help file has been useful to me, and some I think I've opened a hundred times. Max is deceptively simple on the surface but can go infinitely deep, so be willing to explore and make mistakes, but also keep some direction in mind...this will help you "finish" your projects, whatever that means :)
Let us know how it goes and post a question if you get really stuck and can't find the answer anywhere!
sorry for the late response I've been internetless for the last 4 days. Thank you for the responses, ill take a look at them and keep things updated!
garybarg - you mentioned using 14 speakers, do you know if rodney graham used powered monitors? to my understanding that is the only way? I'm trying to figure out a cheaper method.
thanks again
We didn't use powered speakers. We used a number of Yamaha A100 poweramps that were left over from the first install we did in 1991. I can't remember what brand of speaker we used. As mentioned before,I did have a bit of a problem with the output levels of the PreSonus being way too hot.
I intend to use lower wattage since the project is for a more intimate setting sp hopefully i dont run into those issues... how did you guys resolve the heating problem?