Ableton Forum

Hey there, I just bought Max for LIve, and am not sure where to start with it...

I bought it because I like the idea of building my own devices and using devices others have built. But I am a little daunted by it.

What should I try/download/read/watch to get me up and running? I plan on going through any built in Lessons Live may have for Max. Just curious what other resources might be recommended.

Thanks in advance,

After you drop in a Max Device, click edit, Max opens up, go to the tutorials. Begin with tutorial 1 and work you way through the rest. If it gets boring take a break. Eventually go back to them until you at least get through the Max ones. You'll be glad you did.

Thanks Juan.
I plan to do just that. Also poking around at Maxforlive.com and downloading some devices.

Not the instant gratification that I'd hoped for, but I see the potential here...

At first M4L offers very little gratification. After doing the first MAX tutorials, it should make a lot more since when you open up someones device. I imagine you'll get bored of reading the Max tutorials before you get close to finishing. When you do, watch these instead.
http://vimeo.com/6800100
http://vimeo.com/6895721
They are very basic things about paths, that it helps to know when using M4L. This video will be a GREAT reference.

Just a personal tip.
M4L can get really complex and you can may want to be grandiose about your pursuits. In the beginning I suggest you start with something simple.

Also go get the Kapture Device. It's pretty fucking amazing how well it works. One of the more elegant M4L creations.
http://liine.net/griid/en/products/kapture/

Watch these tutorials:
http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php? ... &p=1213947

Thanks for all of the replies. All very good advice.

Truth be told, I've intentionally avoided MaxMSP in the past because of the learning curve. I'd rather be making music than making tools to make music with. But I like how Ableton rolled Max into Live, and I also like the idea of being able to make tools I'd like to use but don't yet exist.... So here I am.

Thanks again, I appreciate the suggestions and encouragement!

Oh man, I just watched those Max4liveinfo videos that you suggested Juan, those videos perfectly exemplify why I have avoided Max for years!

Very informative, and thank you again for suggesting those. I hope someday soon to be able to glean info I can use from them. But boy, is that ever diving in the deep end!

I have been making my way through the built in Max for Live lessons. They have been helpful for finding my way around. I still feel clueless. I've tinkered under the hood with Reaktor, can dive into Unix to do basic things, and have a modular synth an arm's length away, so the building block concept is not beyond my grasp. I just have to stay patient, and take the good advice given here to go slow and keep tinkering...

Just wanted to vent, thanks for listening.

Something will finally make a wee bit of since and then you will be on your way.

The Maxforlive.info videos about clips, and paths are specific to "Max for Live." He is basically showing you the introductory method for how to use paths to control a parameter in Live. These are things that will not be in the Max tutorials.

Don't get me wrong Juan, I appreciate you guys recommending these videos, and I can tell how useful they will be for me once I know what I am doing...

I'll keep hammering away at Live's built in tutorials, then move onto the MaxMSP tutorials... I know this will be a very handy tool once I am comfortable with it.

Another new user hear. Npot big into programming or patience with tedium but.................................


best

@juansolo - that kapture looks pretty sweet (and I've always liked plastikman). Thanks for the link!

Yeah it works Great, but I stopped using it since ClyphX.