Max/MSP/Jitter for Music A Practical Guide to Developing Interactive Music Systems for Education and More

A practical guide for readers of all levels of programming ability,Max/MSP/Jitter for Musicteaches all of the necessary skills for writing custom software for musical interaction using the programming language Max/MSP/Jitter. In step-by-step instructions, expert author VJ Manzo guides readers through all of the essential concepts and steps for designing and completing projects. Manzo's applications are remarkably broad; from complex programs which explore relationships between modes for veteran composers to basic exercise for beginners that helps improve finger dexterity, the range of possibilities this book opens up will impress both new and experienced users of music technologies. With clear, hands-on examples, Manzo teaches readers to write effective, customized software which supplements and complement their instructional and musical objectives. The book also discusses ways to interact with the software beyond the mouse and keyboard through use of camera tracking, pitch tracking, video game controllers, sensors, mobile devices, and more. Chapter review sections remind readers of key commands and important concepts, buildling a solid foundation in understanding Max and its structure, while connecting it to music making and learning concepts. Extensively illustrated throughout and packed with practical tips, this book will be invaluable for musicians and teachers looking to supplement their lessons with interactive instructional tools, develop adaptive instruments to aid in composition and performance activities, and create measurement tools with which to conduct research.

V.J. Manzo (PhD Temple University, M.M. New York University) is Assistant Professor of Music Technology and Perception at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). He is a composer and guitarist with research interests in theory and composition, artificial intelligence, interactive music systems, and music cognition. He has authored several open-source interactive music projects including the Modal Object Library, a collection of composition/theory algorithms for use in algorithmic and electro-acoustic composition, and EAMIR, an open-source project assisting individuals, including those with disabilities, to compose and perform music with accessible musical interfaces, alternate/adaptive controllers, and sensors. V.J. has lectured on electronic music and interactive music systems for education and presented his compositions and interactive systems at numerous universities, conferences, and performance venues including ACM, ATMI, CMS, ISTE, TI:ME, SEAMUS, MENC, Peabody, American Composers Forum, and ASTA. For more info, visit www.vjmanzo.com.