Max

Max (formerly known as Max/MSP) provides a visual, node-based environment for creating your own interactive software. It starts with a blank canvas where you connect different objects with patchcords. Each object performs a specific task, from generating a sound wave to processing a video stream or representing a piece of hardware. This modular approach allows for the creation of unique and complex systems that would be difficult to build elsewhere.

It is a powerful tool for artists, musicians, and developers to explore sound, visuals, and physical computing. Key capabilities include:

• Limitless Sound Design: Build custom synthesizers from scratch, manipulate audio samples with timestretching and pitch shifting, and create layered sounds with multichannel audio patching.
• Real-time Visuals: The integrated Jitter toolset offers a full suite of features for real-time video and graphics processing, easily combined with audio and sequencing.
• Hardware Prototyping: Connect directly to development boards, sensors, and MIDI controllers to prototype and evaluate hardware interactions instantly.
• Advanced Processing: Use Gen to visually patch together highly-optimized processes for audio and video, and even export the source code for use in other projects.

The built-in Package Manager gives you access to dozens of community-created add-ons, extending its functionality even further.