programming with max/msp - Virtual Sound

Interlude A - Programming with Max/MSP
In this first “Interlude” we will examine a few aspects of programming Max/MSP
in more depth, so to provide useful information to you. Because of the essential
nature of this information, we encourage you to not skip over this section unless
you are already truly expert in Max/MSP. It is important that you implement all
of the tutorial patches that we propose in the text, as these small efforts yield
the biggest results.
IA.1 MAX AND THE NUMBERS:
THE BINARY OPERATORS
Like any respectable programming language, Max can do many things with
numbers. We will begin this chapter by looking at the simplest operators, those
for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
INTEGER ADDITION
Recreate the simple patch shown in Figure IA.1 (and make sure that there is a
space between ‘+’ and ‘5’!).
Fig. IA.1 Addition
The + object adds its argument (which is, in this case, 5) to whatever number it
receives on its left inlet. If we feed some numbers to the object via the number
box above it (by selecting it, for example, in performance mode and then using
the arrow keys on the keyboard to change its value), we can track the results of
the operation in the lower number box.
The right inlet of + changes the argument, and if we enter a number on this
inlet by using another number box, the number will be substituted for the argument
of the + object in the sum that will be produced when new numbers are
input via the left inlet.
Try this by adding a number box on the right, as shown in Figure IA.2:
Fig. IA2 Addition with a changeable argument
from “Electronic Music and Sound Design” Vol. 1 by Alessandro Cipriani and Maurizio Giri
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