Should I start my electronic music journey with MAX/MSP?

raghunathan shetty's icon

I'm a big fan of Autechre, whose uses this software to make their complex music. I have very limited experience with DAW's, (I'm a guitarist primarily) but I have always wanted to learn electronic music production. Would you recommend me starting with this software, or do you think it might be better for me to go a more "traditional" route?

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Iain Duncan's icon

Hi Raghunathan, if you're into that kind of thing (as am I!), then Max + Ableton Live with Max-for-Live is an excellent way to go. I personally use Max for programming, Ableton for holding instruments and playing stuff, and Reaper for final mixing or more traditional recording. You will find a ton of great resources for what you are looking for in the Max and Max for Live communities. I would highly recommend you get the following books though to get you off to a good start:

Interactive Composition: Strategies Using Ableton Live and Max for Live - by V.J Manzo
Electronic Music and Sound Design - Theory and Practice with Max 8 - Volume 1 - Cipriani and Giri
Step by Step: Adventures in Sequencing with Max/MSP - Gregory Taylor
Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio - Mike Senior (excellent primer on DAW stuff in general)

HTH!
iain

Iain Duncan's icon

I saw Autechre live in Vancouver maybe 15 years ago at the old Sonar club, fantastic show. :-)

Gregory Taylor's icon

Here's what was up on their last tour: https://autechre.bleepstores.com/

They make occasional appearances on twitch.tv. If the stuff I heard in the last week or so isn't a Max patch, I'll eat my hat... definitely Jitter doing the graphics.