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.

• 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.
• Fluency in spoken and written French.

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).

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.

Jitter will not be addressed.

Some details of the training program are subject to modification as the software on which it is based is updated.

• 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 of acquired knowledge at the end of the training, in the form of a multiple-choice questionnaire (duration: 1 hour)

• 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.

Access to software during and after the training course

Max and Ableton Live are installed on the workstations provided in the training room and are used by participants during the sessions. However, no software licences are provided upon completion of the course. Participants must therefore obtain their own licences if they wish to continue using these tools after the training.

Premium members of the IRCAM Forum benefit from a 30% discount on all training courses. Participants who have completed this training course and do not hold an IRCAM Forum membership may benefit from a 30% discount on a Premium subscription, valid for one month.

In 2025, all trainees who completed our Max Inititation training achieved the educational objectives set -either fully or in large part- according to end-of-training evaluations. This success is underscored by a 100% satisfaction rate, reflecting the high quality of teaching and support provided.