Liddell Takes It To The Max

If you are a DIY type of electronic musician, you might feel that many software applications can’t quite do everything you want them to; or perhaps they do so much that the functions you want are obscured by those you don’t.

The solution to such digital angst is then to compile your own audio-visual workflow; and to do this you can use MAX/MSP. Its creators call it “a graphical environment for music, audio and multimedia”. In effect, it is a cross-platform drag-and-drop interface for creating custom signal processes.

Many artists, teachers and experimentalists have embraced this technology, one of whom is Jamie Liddell – he speaks of his introduction to MAX in this video, which also provides some insight into how he uses the system to assist and enhance his unique vocal performances.