Products of Interest

Cycling ’74 Max 6

Cycling ’74 has announced the release of Max 6, a major upgrade to their visual programming application for music and multimedia. The main improvements are reported to be in the areas of performance, quality, and workflow. Accessibility through new price plans, tutorials, videos, and new online resources are also features of this software release.

The performance of Max patches has been re-vamped with the use of what the Cycling ‘74 calls code generation. Each patch the user creates is translated into text-based source code and compiled automatically, allowing for optimization of the entire patch. New low-level 64-bit floating-point precision signal processing operators are included. These allow the user to create recursive filters, delays, spectral processors, and sound generators. It is reported that algorithms can be implemented up to fifteen times faster than with the equivalent MSP objects. The code generation approach also allows for high-performance image processing algorithms to be created graphically in the Max environment.

The audio quality has been improved by the use of a new 16 K wavetable for the cycle~ object. This produces an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and gives users a choice of sample rate. All audio is processed with 64-bit precision in Max 6, but 32-bit objects will remain compatible.

The interface now provides curved path cords. If changes are made during the performance of a patch, Max will now crossfade between the old and new values. Controls have been added to the toolbar of every patch to adjust gain and mute the audio signal, so that the user no longer has to add objects to achieve this.

A new toolset for rendering 3-D objects has been added and increased support for cameras and lighting is also available. A new physics engine, hierarchical animation, and rendering tools have also been added.

Significant changes to the documentation and help features have also been introduced into this new version of the software. The user does not have to remember the name of objects to create one. Feedback is provided as the user types in a message box to indicate the types of messages that correspond to nearby objects. A new attribute monitoring and editing object is also included. Help files now all feature a similar layout, displaying around five of the most important things the user needs to know about the object in question. Advanced help features can be accessed through a tabbed interface. A new Project feature has been added to manage patches, code, and media files. It allows multiple versions of files to be stored and makes sharing and backing up work easier.

Max 6 is listed for US$ 499, with discounts available to existing customers. Contact: Cycling ’74, 730 Clementina Street, San Francisco, California 94103, USA; telephone (+1) 415-974-1818; fax (+1) 800-683-9735; electronic mail info@cycling74.com; Web cy-cling74.com/.

Keith McMillen Instruments 12 Step Foot Controller

The 12 Step from Keith McMillen Instruments is a chromatic keyboard foot controller. The controller works with USB and MIDI, with an optional MIDI Expander device, to control MIDI keyboards, sound modules, and software synthesizers. It features twelve foot keys, arranged in piano keyboard layout. Each key is poly-phonic and can play up to five notes simultaneously. Pressure and key tilt can be mapped to pitch bend or any continuous controller message. An octave shift feature provides a three-octave range of pitches, but multiple units can be used together to increase the range of pitches that are available simultaneously without octave switching. The controller has three performance modes. Legato mode allows for continuous, smooth playing of notes. In Latch mode notes and chords are sustained, and Toggle mode turns notes and chords on and off.

The keys are LED backlit. An input jack is provided for expression pedal or control voltage input. The 12 Step controller is a class compliant device that does not require drivers. It measures 17.5 × 4 × .75 in. and weighs 1 lb. A software editor running on Macintosh and Windows platforms is available.

The 12 Step controller is listed for US$ 289. Contact: Keith McMillen Instruments; telephone...