M4L

As I decided that the machine learning project was not feasible, I decided to create my own instrument/tool in a software I know much better: Max for Live. For my final portfolio work I want to create a Max device that uses algorithmic composition and generative practices, to create useable sound design for my music and practice. I still don’t know the underlying concept of my device, but I want to find it through experimentation in Max. Today I refreshed my basic knowledge of Max, creating two small device that utilise FM synthesis. Both devices are extremely rudimentary but I created them in order to learn the basis of UI in M4L. By UI I mean the interface and visual layout of a Max device.

I used the following video as a guideline to create the synths, but at the end I just experimented with what I learnt.

The first device I created is a percussion FM synth, that has a single custom envelope generator that modulates almost all the parameters of the FM synth. This envelope modulates the frequency and amount of all the operators frequency at the same time, while modulating the filter frequency.

As you can see its quite bare and messy, but I quite like the sound of it. You can listen to it in the following audio player.

The other device is just a drone of an FM synth with not a lot of control in its parameters, but I improved its visual aspect and GUI looking much more professional.

The patch of the device is quite simple, so its not worth showing in this post. It sound pretty basic but at least there is a better layout of parameters that makes it more accessible to the user.

On conclusion, after doing these experiments I realised the importance of an efficient visual layout, that allows the user to properly understand the device. Even though the second device is much simpler, just because it looks better it makes it more exciting to use. I was also thinking that for my final submission maybe it would be pretty cool to create a set of different devices, each having a different function. I still have to find an umbrella concept for all the devices. Also this activity gave me the idea of creating both a GitHub page and a website, to present my devices created. The GitHub page could also contain all the prototype devices I create along the way.