Max Initiation (session 1) / Max IRCAM Certificate - level 1
Maxis a graphical programming program for processing, generating and interacting with MIDI data, audio and video streams, and any other type of data, such as sensor data.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will have acquired the skills needed to develop simple patches. They will be able to autonomously assess the needs required to set up a project involving Max.
The training will be followed by an exam for the Max IRCAM Certificate level 1. This exam evaluates users in a real-life profes-sional situation
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, researchers in computer music, etc.
Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of computer music (digital sound, MIDI protocol).
- Good understanding of sequencer software (DAW audio-digital workstation) such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Reaper, or another audio editing software program (WaveLab, SoundStation, Audacity, Adobe Audition, etc.).
- Good understanding of the English vocabulary used in the software.
- Mastery of the basic functions of a Mac 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, sub-tractions, multiplications, divisions, absolute value, study of simple functions.
Prior to this course, participants are strongly advised to download Max and run it in demo version (30 days with full functionality) to complete at least Max tutorials 1-6 (Max Basic Tutorials 1-6. Open "Reference" in the Help menu to access these tutorials).
Training Period and Organization
36 hours of training. Monday- Saturday, November 24-29, 2025. 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 pro-gram and the certification test will be cancelled.
Program
Jitter will not be addressed.
Certain details of the training program are subject to modification as the software on which it is based is updated.
Monday
| Morning | Discover Max's environment, paradigm, and application domains. |
| Afternoon | The issue of the execution of processes in real-time and master the principles of the execution order (<trigger>). Analyze and understand MIDI data flows, manipulating them in real-time: use of MIDI protocol objects (<midiin>, <notein>, <ctlin>, <bendin>…). Control a MIDI synthesizer using a MIDI keyboard. MIDI effects implementation: transposition, chord generator, “MIDI echo”. |
Tuesday
| Morning | Advanced data manipulation: data groups (lists and message boxes). |
| Afternoon | Learn more about algorithms for generating random MIDI notes: conditional manipulation of data groups (<list>), programming an "arpeggiator". |
Wednesday
| Morning | Becoming familiar with the audio operation in Max. |
| Afternoon | Realization, control, and step by step improvement of a monophonic synthesizer played from a keyboard |
Thursday
| Morning | Discover and use the fundamental objects dedicated to recording and playing sounds from a file (<sfplay~>, <playlist~>) or buffer (<buffer~>, <play~>, <groove~>...). |
| Afternoon | Introduction to real-time audio processing: amplitude modulation, ring modulation, delay lines, echo, and their im-plementation in Max. |
Friday
| Morning | Real-time audio effects based on modulation of a delay line: chorus and flanging. |
| Afternoon | Analyze the audio stream and extract relevant information using simple modules: amplitude tracking and pitch tracking (<yin~>, <sigmund~>) The first steps towards the global architecture of a more complex patch: modular organization integrating several of processes carried out during the week. |
Saturday
| Morning | Explore and manage Max's external resources: use of external libraries, package manager. |
| Afternoon | 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 (accompanied and independent)
- 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.
The Max and Ableton Live environments are not included in the course fee.
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)
Exam for Max IRCAM Certificate - level 1
3 hours // Saturday, January 17, 2026, 2:30pm-5:30pm
10 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 and 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 she 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 eval-uate 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 speci-fications
A certificate with the results will be sent to the participants 3 weeks following the exam.Certificat Ircam - Max niveau 1