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  • Research

    The fundamental principle of IRCAM is to encourage productive interaction among scientific research, technological developments, and contemporary music production. Since its establishment in 1977, this initiative has provided the foundation for the institute’s activities. One of the major issues is the importance of contributing to the renewal of musical expression through science and technology. Conversely, sp…

    • Research Topics
    • The STMS Lab
    • Research Teams
    • Sound Systems and Signals: Audio/Acoustics, InstruMents
    • Acoustic and Cognitive Spaces
    • Sound Perception and Design
    • Sound Analysis-Synthesis
    • Sound Music Movement Interaction
    • Musical Representations
    • Analysis of Musical Practices
    • Projects
    • Sound Workshop
    • The Musical Body
    • Creative Dynamics
    • Finished Projects
  • Creation

    IRCAM is an internationally recognized research center dedicated to creating new technologies for music. The institute offers a unique experimental environment where composers strive to enlarge their musical experience through the concepts expressed in new technologies.

    • Composers & Artists in Studio
    • Mauro Lanza in studio
    • Chloé Thévenin in studio
    • Oren Boneh in studio
    • Tristan Murail in studio
    • Martin Matalon in studio
    • Sébastien Gaxie in studio
    • Murcof in the studio
    • Vimala Pons in studio
    • Lucie Antunes in studio
    • Deena Abdelwahed in the studio
    • Music-Fictions
    • Artistic Research Residency
    • Artistic Residencies: The Blog
    • Rendez Vous 24.25
    • 2024-2025
    • Replay Concerts
    • Seasons from 1996 to present
    • ManiFeste-2024 Website
    • ManiFeste festival from 2012 to 2024
    • L’Étincelle, IRCAM’s journal of creation
  • Transmission

    In support of IRCAM's research and creation missions, the educational program seeks to shed light on the current and future meaning of the interactions among the arts, sciences, and technology as well as sharing its models of knowledge, know-how, and innovations with the widest possible audience.

    • Training Courses
    • Training Courses 2025.26
    • Max, Max for Live
    • Computer-Assisted Composition
    • ASAP & Partiels
    • Sound spatialization
    • Generative AI
    • Practical Information
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    • Cursus Program on Composition and Computer Music
    • Master ATIAM
    • Sound Design Master's Program
    • Mixed-Music
    • AIMove Master
    • Discover Research at IRCAM
    • Cultural Outreach
    • Cultural Mediation at Middle School Students
    • Médiations culturelles au lycée
    • Digital Workshops
    • TACT
    • Images of a Work Collection
    • Group Tours
    • ManiFeste-2025 Festival Academy
    • 2025 ÉLAN award
    • Spatial Composition Workshop
    • In Situ Polytopes
    • ULYSSES Ensemble
    • Auditors
  • Innovations

    Engaged with societal and economic issues at the intersection of culture and IT, research at Ircam has forged a reputation for itself in the world of international research as an interdisciplinary benchmark in the science and technology of sound and music, constantly attentive to the new needs and uses in society.

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  • Max Initiation (session 1) / Max IRCAM Certificate - level 1








November 20 through Sat 25 November 2023,
10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Ircam
salle Nono
Language

French

Level

Beginner

Prices

Full price : 1500 €
Premium Forum member price : 1050 €
Student Price : 750 €

practical information

Edit
Transmission
Software Training






Max Initiation (session 1) / Max IRCAM Certificate - level 1

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Learn the basics of programming in Max
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Max is a graphical programming language that lets users process, generate, interact with MIDI data in audio and video contents as well as all other types of data, for example from sensors.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will acquire the knowledge necessary to make simple patches. They will be able to identify the means necessary to create a project using Max. The training will be followed by an exam for the Max IRCAM Certificate level 1.

Public

Any creative person who wants to work on a project requiring Max: composers, developers, performers, sound technicians, choreographers, sound creators, video artists, live coders, music or art teachers, makers, etc.

Prerequisites

  • Good understanding of sequencer software (DAW audio-digital workstation) such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Reaper, or another audio editing software program (WaveLab, SoundStation, Adobe Audition, etc.)
  • Good understanding of the English vocabulary used in the software
  • 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)
  • Basic mathematical concepts will facilitate participants' understanding: integers, rational and decimal numbers, sums, subtractions, multiplications, divisions, absolute value, study of simple functions.

Prior to the training, it is highly recommended participants download the software and test the demo mode (30 days with all functions available) and do all the included software.

Training Period and Organization

36 hours of training. Monday- Saturday, November 20—25, 2023. 10am-1pm & 2:30pm-5:30pm
10 students maximum

In the event that IRCAM cannot physically welcome students for a program that requires face-to-face instruction, the program and the certification test will be cancelled.

Edit

Program

Jitter will not be addressed.

Monday

MorningGeneral presentation of the Max environment;
Types of objects, types of data.
Afternoon

Identify the difficulties raised by the execution of processes in real-time and master the principles of the execution order (<trigger>);
Analyze, understand a data flow to extract its real-time manipulation protocol: the case of MIDI and its specific objects (<midiin>,<notein>,<ctlin>,<bendin>...);
Control a MIDI synthesizer by a simple interaction with a keyboard: transposition and "MIDI echo".

Tuesday

MorningAdvanced data manipulation: data groups (lists and message boxes), flow management (<send>, <recieve>, <route>, <select>, <gate>...), information storage (<int>, <float>, <list> or <zl>...), random processes (<random>, <urn>...) and encapsulation (<patcher> and abstractions);
Creation of a random MIDI note generator.
AfternoonFurther algorithmic development of the random processes of a MIDI note generator: conditional manipulation of data groups (<list>): chords, "arpeggiator”

Wednesday

MorningBecoming familiar with the audio operation in Max. Signal manipulation: input, output, send, receive, multiply and sum;
Comparison of audio and data streams, generators (<noise~>, <pink~>...), oscillators (<cycle~>, <saw~>...), envelopes (<line~>, <curve~>) and synthesis.
AfternoonRealization, control, and step by step improvement of a monophonic synthesizer played from a keyboard.

Thursday

MorningRecord, play, and manipulate the playback of sounds from a file (<sfplay~>, <playlist~>) and a buffer (<buffer~>, <play~>, <groove~>…);
Realization, control, and step by step improvement of a monophonic synthesizer played from a keyboard.
AfternoonLearn some simple audio processing in the amplitude/time domain: delay line, ring modulation, amplitude modulation.

Friday

MorningModulation of a delay lines: the chorus;
Frequency shift: <freqshift~>;
Transposition with delay lines: <transposer>.
AfternoonFiltering and control in real-time (amplitude/frequency/time domain): <biquad~>, <filtergraph~>, <lores~>... ;
Analyze the audio stream and extract relevant information using simple modules: amplitude tracking and pitch tracking (<yin~>, <sigmund~>);
First steps towards a programming architecture: modular organization of some processes performed during the week.

Saturday

MorningManage data external to Max: external libraries;

A look at the next level Max training;
Review.

AfternoonExam

Exam for Max IRCAM Certificate - level 1

3 hours // Saturday, November 25, 2023, 2:30pm-5:30pm
6 students maximum

The IRCAM Certificate test is made up of two parts (90 minutes each):

A test of the applicant’s knowledge with open questions and comments on screen captures;
Following a break, a series of exercises is given to the applicant with several concrete cases, with increasing difficulty. The applicant must find solutions, as if they were in a professional situation (test on a Mac computer with Max).

This exam evaluates users in a real-life professional situation.
The jury, made up of a teacher (IRCAM Computer Music Designers/ Specialized Instructors) and a specialist in Max, will evaluate 3 major criteria:

Theory: restitute basic knowledge on Max and its environment (vocabulary for the MIDI and audio system, programming conventions);
Analysis: analyze and interpret the Max programs’ functioning, offer “debugging” solutions;
Application: apply this knowledge and skills to the conception and realization of interactive Max interfaces with precise specifications.

A certificate with the results will be sent to the participants 3 weeks following the exam.


Educational Resources and Techniques

  • Classroom equipped with computers 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. A class guide will be given at the beginning of each training session and all complementary files will be given as needed.

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

  • IRCAM Certificate exam for Max level 1 taken at the end of training. Test of the applicant’s knowledge with open questions and comments on screen captures, exercises on concrete cases (3 hours).

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