Carlo Bordini

I am new to the maxMSP/jitter world, and I've never used other programming languages.

I have some ideas going on my mind, one of these is to create a visual with big black pixel (a screen which dimensions I have no decided yet, maybe just one long row) slowly turning white or grey (passing all the shades). I'd like this system to be controlled by stereo music, turning white on the left or right when volume is higher and black when there is no sound.

I started reading the tutorial included in the software but there's really too much stuff to handle and learn. I thought that starting building something could have been a better way to learn on the field. Reading everything before starting programming is nearly impossible.

I'd like to have some simple advice in order to understand on what objects I'd better focus and the general system a similar project needs.

simple-bw-screen-with-big-pixel-changing-from-white-to-black

Carlo, you can start building right away like you want. The best way to jump into to actual patching is to tinker with existing examples. All of the tutorials contain working examples. I still haven't made it through many of the tutorials because half way in, I'm doing my own thing, modifying the example patch.

Also check out the help files - which are actual patches, not text files. You can copy and paste different pieces into your own patch and go from there. Nicer finished example patches (and also more complex) can be found in the in Max examples folder and throughout the forum/tools/projects/wiki areas.

Regarding your question about sound and color.... values in a matrix are displayed as brightness by [jit.pwindow] so you just need get numbers into [jit.matrix] - which is no problem because the object that controls volume also outputs numbers. That's the idea in Max. Data moves through objects which interpret and represent it in different ways. Learn how to move that data around and you can make just about anything happen.

Carlo, you can start building right away like you want.    The best way to jump into to actual patching is to tinker with existing examples.   All of the tutorials contain working examples.    I still haven't made it through many of the tutorials because half way in, I'm doing my own thing, modifying the example patch.

 Also check out the help files - which are actual patches, not text files.   You can copy and paste different pieces into your own patch and go from there.  Nicer finished example patches (and also more complex) can be found in the in Max examples folder and throughout the forum/tools/projects/wiki areas.     

Regarding your question about sound and color....   values in a matrix are displayed as brightness by [jit.pwindow] so you just need get numbers into [jit.matrix] - which is no problem because the object that controls volume also outputs numbers.   That's the idea in Max.   Data moves through objects which interpret and represent it in different ways.   Learn how to move that data around and you can make just about anything happen.

and an additional technique for drawing using opengl and jit.world

Jitter Tutorial 28. Audio Control of Video

Here's a little example patch that combines ideas from both of those (and also uses GL, as in Rob's example).

You can also take a look at Jitter Tutorial 2. Create a Matrix and Jitter Tutorial 28. Audio Control of Video.

I want to thank everyone of you for your kind advices.

These days I'll try to figure out the right solution for me.

Simple b/w screen with big pixel changing from white to black.