Initiation to Max for Live
Max For Live is an optional module that lets you use Max transparently within Ableton Live. Max integrates objects that reproduce the graphical interface of Live effects (or devices). These objects allow you to integrate your own audio or instrument processing into a Live session, with full control over the parameters of these effects in the application's automation.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course participants will have the skills necessary to create new effects and devices in Live with Max for Live: creation of a synthesizer, creation of audio effects. Participants will be able to control Live’s graph-ical interface using Max for Live.
Public
Composers, musicians, theater managers, etc.
Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of Ableton Live on MacOS or Windows: notions of track, scene, manipulation of MIDI and audio clips, manipulation of automation in clips, etc.
- Mastery of the basic functions of a Macintosh computer (use of a keyboard and mouse, create and manage files and folders, use menus, launch an application).
Training Period and Organization
36 hours of training. Monday- Saturday, March 16-21, 2026. 10am-1pm/2:30pm-5:30pm
At Ircam, in French
10 students maximum
In the event that IRCAM cannot physically welcome students for a program that requires face-to-face instruction, the program will be cancelled.
Program
This is not a training course on Ableton Live software.
Monday
| Morning | Installation and set-up of Live for Max for Live. Study of different types of devices for Max for Live: MIDI, audio, instrument. Order of execution of a patch. Introduction of a “trigger” object to define the order of execution. Using good habits with live.gui objects. |
| Afternoon | Creation of MIDI effects: transposing notes. The ddg.mono object. The flush object. Use of the “parameter” window. |
Tuesday
| Morning | Processing lists with <list> ou <zl> objects. Creating sub-patches with the <patcher> object. Creation of a MIDI effect: random note generator. |
| Afternoon | Synchronization of a device with Live. |
Wednesday
| Morning | Audio in Max. Basics of subtractive synthesis: oscillator, filter, ADSR envelope. Creation of a monophonic synthesizer with the aforementioned elements. |
| Afternoon | The <poly~> object. Automatic management of polyphony with <thispoly~>. Creation of a polyphonic synthesizer with the aforementioned instrument. |
Thursday
| Morning | Delay in Max : <tapin~> and <tapout~>. Creating of audio effects: delay lines. Adding frequency shift and feedback. |
| Afternoon | Envelope and synthesis follower. Recording and slowed playback of a sound file. |
Friday
| Morning | Control of Live’s graphical interface: <live.path>, <live.object>, <live.observer>, <live.remote~>. Realization of simple tasks with a combination of the aforementioned objects. |
| Afternoon | Use of abstractions provided with Max for Live. Use of the name of a Live clip to modify the function of an effect. |
Saturday
| Matin | Review of the notions seen during the week. Question and answer session on students’ ideas/project that can make use of Max for Live. |
| Après-midi | Free work on computers. Assessment |
Educational Resources and Techniques
- Classroom equipped with Mac Mini with all the necessary software installed, headphones, and MIDI keyboards.
- Class Format: Training alternates between presentations, explanations on theory, studying examples to analyze, and hands-on exercises.
- Didactic Materials: Video-projected presentations.
The Max and Ableton Live environments are not included in the course fees.
Supervision
- Welcome the first day of training beginning at 9:45am.
- Attendance controlled; signature of an attendance sheet required every morning and afternoon.
- A certificate at the end of the program is given to each participant with the results of the exam.
.Assessment
- Assessment of acquired knowledge using a multiple-choice test taken at the end of training.
