I'm interested in building a quasi-step sequencer with a twist. I was thinking about using Max/MSP (I saw that there was a tutorial on one of the DVD's for the latest issues of Sound on Sound), but am unsure of its functionality in this area.
Now, mark you, I have no experience in programming but rather years of frustation with the current software options (and hardware) and a strong desire to have something geared towards those with needs similar to mine. So far, Guru and RS-16X (found here: http://homepage.mac.com/seishu/ssworks/rs16x/rs16x.html)
have come closest to what I'm looking for.
I don't intend for it to be anything complex (i.e., probably not much in the way of busses, on-board effects, etc...)but would maybe like to make it Rewire compatible, just for easy routing of the audio into the DAW of choice.
I expect there are going to be hordes of posters telling me that I'm in for the ride of my life with this one, but, I'm aware of that. I'm not coming into this with grandiose goals. If it takes me upwards of a year to complete this, I don't mind. It's more of a side-project than it is a full-time dedication.
So, my question is, which programming language/environment would be best for this undertaking. I'm hoping to have something that would be somewhat autonomous, thus probably striking reaktor and even Max/MSP off of the list.
Any suggestions?
P.S I'm using a Power PC Mac, but would be willing to fire up the old desktop for a got at it.
Thanks beforehand.
P.S.
Building a sequencer from scratch...
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- KVRist
- 288 posts since 3 Mar, 2004 from Denmark
IMHO, unless you are willing to spend the next 5 years lerning some hardcore programming, max/msp or reaktor, or another modular, low level, environment, is your only choice.
this guys studio pack way come some way to fulfilling your needs.
http://www.lost-online.com/
pete.
this guys studio pack way come some way to fulfilling your needs.
http://www.lost-online.com/
pete.
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- KVRist
- 72 posts since 12 May, 2003
hi there, i have similar ambitions as you in developing a sequencer, and like you have no practical programing experience.
ive started developing a simple midi step sequnecer using max msp, which is an excellent program,with amazing midi and event handling, and very caplable of building almost anything you can dream up.
as kippertoffee said earlier, stay away from programming via the traditional methods (c++, etc) it's not something you will be able to master in a year or two, neither are you giving yourself an easy task to start with. try coding a vst first (thats hard enough if you ask me!)
i would definately recomend maxmsp over reaktor, which looks like your only other alternative as you are mac based. If you were willing to fire up your old pc, then theres synthmaker, which is a great piece of software, bit imo not quite there yet siuted to developing sequencers.
Max is by far the best choice, it kind of bridges the gap between apps like reaktor and c++. here's a list of some useful features:
☺ the ability to build standalone programs with vst and rewire support.
☺ multi channel vst(i) building, via pluggo runtime
☺ openGL and javascript, can used for enhancing the UI
☺ cross-platform support (vst, au & rtas)
max is great beacuse it has convienintly done a lot of really complicated things for you,and offer great support so it lets you get down to the programing in a visual manner without having to worry about much else.
However... all this conveinince comes at a cost, that being performance and timing. max uses a lot of resources and is not the most efficient program. This doesn't mean to say that max is incapable of producing fast and efficient programs, a lot has to do with coding style, like any programing language. just dont ever expect to get the same kind of performance/handling out of max as you do with the big name sequencers.
ive started developing a simple midi step sequnecer using max msp, which is an excellent program,with amazing midi and event handling, and very caplable of building almost anything you can dream up.
as kippertoffee said earlier, stay away from programming via the traditional methods (c++, etc) it's not something you will be able to master in a year or two, neither are you giving yourself an easy task to start with. try coding a vst first (thats hard enough if you ask me!)
i would definately recomend maxmsp over reaktor, which looks like your only other alternative as you are mac based. If you were willing to fire up your old pc, then theres synthmaker, which is a great piece of software, bit imo not quite there yet siuted to developing sequencers.
Max is by far the best choice, it kind of bridges the gap between apps like reaktor and c++. here's a list of some useful features:
☺ the ability to build standalone programs with vst and rewire support.
☺ multi channel vst(i) building, via pluggo runtime
☺ openGL and javascript, can used for enhancing the UI
☺ cross-platform support (vst, au & rtas)
max is great beacuse it has convienintly done a lot of really complicated things for you,and offer great support so it lets you get down to the programing in a visual manner without having to worry about much else.
However... all this conveinince comes at a cost, that being performance and timing. max uses a lot of resources and is not the most efficient program. This doesn't mean to say that max is incapable of producing fast and efficient programs, a lot has to do with coding style, like any programing language. just dont ever expect to get the same kind of performance/handling out of max as you do with the big name sequencers.
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- KVRist
- 72 posts since 12 May, 2003
ok, i think i miss read your post a bit. i thought you wanted to build a host! lolI'm interested in building a quasi-step sequencer with a twist.
max is definately the best choice then, as far as performance goes, i dont think this should be much of an issue, just ignore what i said at the end
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- KVRAF
- 3528 posts since 18 Apr, 2002 from British Columbia, Canada
hi
have you checked out EST by Sonicbytes? it might do what you want. I have been using it since the release and i am still finding new ways to use it. It loads samples, so if you are looking for a MIDI sequencer, try ERA, also by sonicbytes; AMAZING !!!
have you checked out EST by Sonicbytes? it might do what you want. I have been using it since the release and i am still finding new ways to use it. It loads samples, so if you are looking for a MIDI sequencer, try ERA, also by sonicbytes; AMAZING !!!
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- KVRAF
- 3964 posts since 31 Aug, 2003 from In a foreign town, in a foreign land
There are some very interesting sequencers that were made with PD. You could try to pick those apart to see how it's done.
PD is Free software, so you can mess around in it as much as you like without having to worry about cost, demo-limitations, &c.
Here's a sequence made with data structures:
(disclaimer: I didn't make the above sequence.)
Groet, Erik
PD is Free software, so you can mess around in it as much as you like without having to worry about cost, demo-limitations, &c.
Here's a sequence made with data structures:
(disclaimer: I didn't make the above sequence.)
Groet, Erik
Pop music delenda est.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 290 posts since 15 Jul, 2003
Is it possible to make a standalone VST within Pure Data, with a GUI? I was also looking at CPS and saw that it can't. Supercollider is another option, but I'm not sure if that program allows either of these things (and it requires some programming knowledge).
Please let me know if any of you guys have any experience with Supercollider.
Please let me know if any of you guys have any experience with Supercollider.