Starting with Max/MSP to control Eurorack
Hello guys,
Totally new to the Max/MSP community, I'm trying to test it out first as a modulation source for my Eurorack synth. I want to build a small sequencer and send the CV output through my Motu Ultralite mk3 soundcard and into the modular. I do actually own the Expert Sleepers software, but I feel I might learn a lot if I try to to program it just from Max. The idea would be to start making some modules that have the features my Eurorack currently lacks (mostly random modulation sources and some sequencing).
I know there are some 1cv/oct solutions over there and there it doesn't take that much fuzz to make a small LFO/Seq/ADSR "module" from Max/MSP and into the synth, but since I'm a newb I really don't know where to start. I want to go through the tutorials and the book, but while I do that I'd love to practice with some practical patching that gets what I want done.
Maybe I sound like a rich boy just wanting to get into the solution and not go through the process, but watching some practical examples, references and some small guidance from members that might be in a similar situation could help me a lot, since I found the information scattered and not properly explained for someone with my knowledge, IMO.
I also want to know about BEAP. Is it possible to just send that audio signal to my soundcard so it works as CV?
Thank you a lot in advance; there's a really great resource library here!
> I also want to know about BEAP. Is it possible to just send that audio signal to my soundcard so it works as CV?
Yes. The output of your soundcard will be lower than modular levels. You'll need to boost the soundcard signal to get a full -10 to +10 voltage range.
The Expert Sleepers hardware is useful because it boosts your audio signals up to full modular levels.
> I found the information scattered and not properly explained for someone with my knowledge, IMO.
I'm just starting out with Max too. The information does seem a bit scattered. The inbuilt max tutorials are useful for learning about Max patching basics. From there look inside the BEAP objects to see how they are constructed. The object help pages are great for learning how to use individual objects.
I find having a list of all Max 7 objects invaluable when building a patch. https://cycling74.com/forums/where-to-find-object-list-in-max-7/
Watch the Cycling '74 website. There is a series in development on using Max in the Eurorack world, and this will include BEAP. That's all I can say for now. Thanks for your patience.
Thank you a lot, Max!
In the meanwhile, considering I won't be getting an ADAT/Lightpipe interface any time soon... What are my modulation possibilities with my +/-5 volts between Max and Eurorack? I'd love to try some droning/noise patches and a sequencer. What kind of resources should I look for?
Your interface also needs to be DC coupled, otherwise most CV signals won't get through. There's a list of interfaces that are somewhere on the Expert Sleepers site. Off the top of my head (sorry, haven't time to look right now) I think at least some Motu interfaces are. I use Expert Sleepers modules as they provide a really nice simple solution (also means you only have one or two cables to worry about).
If you want to hear in detail about someone's experiences doing this, I've just written something for the CEC eContact! journal which has quite a bit on this - it'll be out in January.
Very interested to hear about that series Max - looking forward!
PS I don't think the 5/10v thing is a huge problem. For audio it won't be a dealbreaker (although you'll be working with lower-level signals of course). For CV it will work, you'll just not get the full range. For accurate pitch (1v/oct or whatever), you'll need to make some adjustments, but to be honest if you want that you'll need to build in some kind of calibration anyway.
Thanks Joseph!
I am aware about DC coupled interfaces, and having a Ultralite mk3 seems to be a good option for that. I have some floating ring cables to not overheat the sound card and have been testing it to track pitch inside Ableton. I know that for a proper 1cv/oct pitch calibration there's a log function that could be helpful. I know there's a thread as well for that, but no clue on how to implement it.
So... yeah. About randomizer, slow drone modulations, ADSR and that kind of stuff... any good tutorials about that? any special resource that could be helpful? I definitely want to try it out by myself. Just feeling overwhelmed by the amount of possibilities and still getting a grasp of the interface (though I've been working a lot with node-based software and graphical environments).
And by the way - the listing of interfaces that'll do DC coupled output is here:
I should also mention that the Expert Sleeper ES-6 (and the expander that adds two more inputs from control voltage) along with the ES-3 provide some ease because they do output (ES-3) *and* input (ES-6). But more on this later....
Okay, so for the sake of documentation for the future, let's post some tutorials that could be useful for beginner users to patch their Eurorack and Max together.
For instance, if you don't have LFO you could start with the LFO Tutorial The Zen of the Silent Patch
There's an Expert Sleepers section on the Muff Wiggler forum:
It'll take some digging (or I would have found it and linked it myself - I did have a quick look), but there's at least one discussion on here, a way back if I recall, on integrating Expert Sleepers with Max. There were some interesting ideas bandied around, and most of it would work without the Expert Sleepers hard/software.
Hey Max! Has this tutorial series on MAX and Eurorack been released? If so, where could I find it?
W