I woud like to create a metronome to include in synthesis patch. At the moment a bang is produced every 1/4 note - which I am turning into a metronome using [click~], however, this is too quiet for my liking. I also tried using a gated [saw~] by banging note on/off values to an [*~] for around 16ms - but this proved to be quite unstable. Can anyone suggest a way of generating a nice loud and pleasing metronome sound?

creating-a-metronome-sound-in-max

you're aware of the built-in Max MIDI ch10 metronome?

yep, use [noteout 10] for the drum channel. you can use pitches 27-87 I believe. In that range, somewhere, are metronome "long" and "short. I also like clave or sticks for tick-tocking...

All these examples are great! But I think I will go with AaronMButler's example. How do people know about Max MIDI Ch10? I was not aware of this. Rim shots do sound very good as metronomes.

Also, is there a way to send the Noteout10 to a multiplier? Or a way to get those MIDI sounds to transmit as an audio signal.

"How do people know about Max MIDI Ch10? I was not aware of this."

That's kinda what the extensive tutorials and helpfiles are for ;-)

There are very very few people who can claim to know, understand and use every single aspect and application of Max/MSP/Jitter/Gen, so don't be disheartened or surprised by 'new' information.

There is no way to artificially boost audio from external MIDI (soundcard/chip) within Max, unless you're using a hardware MIDI sound module and mixer.

"How do people know about Max MIDI Ch10? I was not aware of this." 

Another thing I've done is use a sample of an 808 cowbell (and a pitch shifted version a 4th lower that I made in ableton). It's basically the same patch except the the [sel 1] triggers 2 [sfplay~]s.

I also forgot to include the bit that resets the counter so that when you turn the met on it always starts on a downbeat.

Another thing I've done is use a sample of an 808 cowbell (and a pitch shifted version a 4th lower that I made in ableton). It's basically the same patch except the the [sel 1] triggers 2 [sfplay~]s. 

I also forgot to include the bit that resets the counter so that when you turn the met on it always starts on a downbeat.


Thanks That looks like it may be the route I take!

"There is no way to artificially boost audio from external MIDI (soundcard/chip) within Max, unless you're using a hardware MIDI sound module and mixer."

Wrong ! you can use either Jack or Soundlfower as default output in your system, MIDI sounds will come out from those, which you can then get back inside Max by setting your input device as Jack or Soundflower.

correct...but technically, that's not "within Max" :)

correct...but technically, that's not "within Max"  :)


Given the OP's fundamental misunderstanding of the difference between MIDI and audio in Max, Soundflower/Jack not really a solution but a workaround; I did neglect to mention these two as an option though.

never used Jack (on Win7 here); is it any good?

See the click~ help file for a demo of how to get many colors of click.

Still more filtering goodness can be had with buffir~.

See the click~ help file for a demo of how to get many colors of click.
Still more filtering goodness can be had with buffir~.


creating a metronome sound in Max