intermediate topics in max
parsons cdt spring 2008
joshua goldberg

requirementsjoshschedulelinks and resourcesstudent pages

previous semester found here


requirements and philosophy

This is a workshop class meant as a support group and knowledge-sharing club for students pursuing their own paths in advanced max/msp/jitter work.

Students are required to give a detailed presentation which explores one topic, create two small patch artworks, maintain a webpage, perform a midterm and create a final.

Grading is not an exact science. My grades tend to curve high, especially in this class. If you're sitting in the classroom on day one, it means that you care enough to throw yourself at this stuff on your own time, and that's what's important. A rough breakdown of how I am thinking about grades is as follows:

Needless to say, this is not a class for coasting. If I think you're just doing enough work to get by, and/or you're NOT coming to me because you don't understand something, you're not going to get an A, no matter how whizbang cool your final is. TALK TO ME, ALWAYS. I cannot stress this enough.

The small animation and sound assignments should prove to me that you have been spending serious time with the material. They need not be complicated, but they should be finished. I want to see original work and serious thought here, and rest assured I will know if you're slacking.

The presentations work like this: Every week, I want to see a detailed exploration of a technique in Max. Consider this a mini-class taught by 1 or 2 students, working with each other and me to show the possibilities and explore some paths. You do not need to show every aspect of the tech, just take us down a secret path. Surprise us.

The midterm will be a performance, probably at Monkeytown in Williamsburg. It is a small restaurant with immersive video, loud sound, and great food. Everyone in this class must perform for 10-15 minutes, video and sound. More details as we approach the date. Don't be frightened.

Your final project can be anything, as long as it is backbreaking work. It may be doubled up with another class or a thesis, as long as the patchery is extensive.

Midterm and final projects can be related, as stepping stones to the thesis.

More than anything else, you should be your own worst taskmaster in this class. As you all know, the self-directed students are the ones who excel in this programming environment, and I want to provide a structure for you, the cream of the crop, to thrive.

the instructor

I will have office hours either in the main lab or at another location (you will have plenty of warning if this happens!) practically every Thursday evening, from 6:30-9:30PM. This will be the best time to reach me or ask me questions. I also check email frequently.

We will have guest speakers 3-4 times during the semester. These will be added to the syllabus as they are confirmed.

schedule (class topic names link to files)

Jan 28 OpenGL 1 - gl contexts, the gl structure, basic objects, videoplanes

Patches from class are here.

Feb 4

OpenGL 2 - textures, slabs, wacky gl possibilities.

Guest speaker: Anton 'Vade' Marini.

Patches from class:

Feb 11

Communication between multiple applications and computers- OSC/mxj net.*

Student speaker: Matt Betancourt

Feb 25 Video tracking, part 1

Alia Ormut-F, Erik

Patches from class

March 3 FFT~ and granular synthesis- Jon Cohrs

Patches from class

March 10 Physical computing interfaces: the Arduino and beyond-Patrick Carey
March 24 Synthesis techniques- DV Caputo
March 31 Surround Sound- Glendon
Pluggo- James
April 7 Non-realtime work in Max - Akiko R & Jeannie

Midterm preparation

patch from today: gl feedback

April 14 Midterm! (This is a performance event, and will actually take place most likely on April 15)
April 21

Large patch structure + organization

Possible guest speaker: Adam Kendall

April 28

Final project clinic sessions

May 5 Final project clinic sessions
May 12 Final projects due. Guests encouraged at this class.

links and resources

Max links:

There are many sites about Max on the web. This list will grow throughout the class.

Mailing lists:

There is no better way to learn Max than to ask questions. Asking questions is easy when you have the patience for mailing lists. Joining one or all of these is not required for the course, but you will find it much much easier to learn the material with community support.

students


Last updated Mon, Apr 7, 2008, by Joshua Goldberg.