Max
C74 is the distributor and developer of the Max/MSP digital signal processing environment. The company has published the program since 1999, and in 2008 released Max 5, a major overhaul. A Sound on Sound article (August 2008) covered its new software GUI. The new interface was designed using Juce. Aside from re-designed graphics, the development of the new system concentrated on the original code base, and provided integrated documentation and debugging. With the release of Max 5, MSP and Jitter were included in the package.
MSP
MSP is a DSP plug-in for Max, allowing real-time audio synthesis.
Jitter
Jitter is a plug-in for Max released in 2003 that allows realtime manipulation of 3D graphics and video.
RNBO
RNBO is an add-on patching environment in Max that allows users to export patches as portable code that can run in several software and hardware target contexts such as VST3 or Audio Unit plug-ins, as well as Raspberry Pi. RNBO source code can also be integrated into C++ or web audio projects, allowing users to run RNBO patches in the web browser. RNBO was released in 2022.
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gen~
gen~ is the low-level signal processing core of Max. gen~ encourages users to continue thinking and patching visually, but with the basic building blocks of algorithms. It is an extension of the Max patching environment, specialized for specific domains such as audio (MSP) and matrix and texture processing with Jitter. gen~ also gives users the flexibility to use concise text based expression language (known as "codebox" in Max) rather than the default visual programming language.
Pluggo
Pluggo was a Max extension that provided capabilities for VST design. Pluggo was required to export Max "patches" for use in digital audio workstation (DAW) host environments, but was discontinued after the release of Max for Live.
Max for Live
Max was integrated into Ableton Live, developed by Ableton and Cycling ’74, to build unique synths and effects, create algorithmic composition tools, or fuse Live and controller hardware into new music machines. Unlike Pluggo, the device created with Max for Live can be edited directly from Live by pressing the edit button.
