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Re: MAX/MSP Conversion Complete...
----- Original Message -----
> Since you're now working with both Reaktor 5 and MAX/MSP, what's you're
> impression of the type of sound delivered by each application? Among
> Reaktor fans it's a popular argument against MAX/MSP that it should
> "sound too thin". However, personally I think I spend a lot of time
> thinning out my sound sources for layering into loops, so if it's true
> that "MAX sounds thing" it might just turn out a good thing for looping.
>
> per
Excellent question and topic. There are probably several sorts of
comparisons, so I'll include some cursory impressions that address your
question and go beyond it. And sorry for this long-winded response, but
this
is a fascinating topic.
First, I think the type of sounds that one gets from MAX/MSP and Reaktor
is
entirely dependent on what the programmer (patch or ensemble builder) does
with the program. My guess is that if someone heard a MAX/MSP patch, and
it
sounded thin, it was because the patch builder designed it that
way...because both apps have similar capabilities and flexibility in terms
of modifying tone, building it, and so on, and both are tapping into the
same audio architecture of the computer. So, if Reaktor folks are making
an
argument that MAX/MSP sounds thin, they are probably misunderstanding the
architecture of the program and what on can do with it. I don't know what
that would mean, actually. For example, when you open MAX/MSP, you have
an
blank slate....just the void with nothing but potential for the
programmer.
Maybe Reaktor folks are saying that the fundamental audio I/O
architectures
of MAX/MSP and Reaktor are different in terms of quality...I'm not sure
how
anyone would verify that. I suppose you could create a MAX/MSP patch and a
Reaktor ensemble that had nothing but input and output, just passing the
dry
signal (white or pink noise, etc) through the system and soundcard...and
then one would have to do an A/B test with a frequency analyzer. I don't
know of anyone who has done that to make a legitimate argument.
Second, I'm still understanding the depth and breadth of the community and
patch resources available for MAX/MSP, by my impression thus far is that
Reaktor users make it easier for everyone to access ensembles that are
ready
to roll right out of the "box" for music performance...this is via the
Reaktor user library. I have seen this discussed in the MAX/MSP forum
too...some folks seem to admit this but aren't that concerned about it. In
other words, at the Reaktor library, you just download the ensembles to
your
ensemble library, and in most cases they are ready to use like VSTs;
whereas
with MAX/MSP, when you download a patch, you may have to do some
additional
programming to make it work in your custom interface. Granted, there are a
lot of MAX/MSP user websites and even a central repository that provides
access to many patches, but since MAX/MSP, almost like a computer
programming interface (e.g. Visual Basic), can do much more than create
music applications, you tend to find a lot of non-music performance
related
patches...versus what you find on Reakor, which is purely ensembles for
music making. The flexibility and power of MAX/MSP can be a double-edged
sword, depending on the expertise and confidence level of the user. For
me,
I am very intimidated right now by the capability of MAX/MSP, and I
haven't
got close to doing anything with Reaktor...I'm a leverager of other
patches/ensembles and find that most of my needs are met by existing
patches/ensembles out there.
That being said, I will admit that the based on the patches I have tested
so far from MAX/MSP and the ensembles I am using with Reaktor, the Reaktor
patches I have are very complex and rich sounding...like Blackbird, which
produces a really nice Eventide like sound with several octaves, delay,
etc
(quite amazing, in fact). Whereas the MAX/MSP patches I have heard so far,
albeit very technical and precise in what they do, are more focused in
their
sound effecting. I think this is just based on my limited exposure, and I
suppose if a MAX/MSP programmer were to build something that was similar
to
Blackbird, the matter would be settled, and we'd know that there is really
no difference in terms of flexibility and capability between the two. My
guess is that it might be more difficult to build a MAX/MSP Blackbird
equivalent, because MAX/MSP seems to start at a more fundamental level in
terms of the building blocks of patches. I'd be blown away if a MAX/MSP
programmer did this...because right now Blackbird (thanks to Dave Coffin
who
shared it with me) is my favorite patch of all, out of all my VSTs, etc.
...just the tip of the iceburg, and again this is all coming from a
MAX/MSP/Reaktor neophyte.
**************************************************************************
Krispen Hartung / Improvisational & Jazz Guitar
www.krispenhartung.com / www.myspace.com/krispenhartung
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info@krispenhartung.com / 1.208.724.5603
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