compusition

I received some reports that my Max object ajm.ruby is not working in Max 5.1.2. I can verify this is the case. I am trying to get to the bottom of it, but my plate is pretty full right now so it might take a little while.

If you really need to run Ruby scripts in Max, I suggest you don't upgrade. Max 5.0.8 works fine and is available here: http://cycling74.com/downloads/older/

Here's my latest song: "Best Frenemies" (4:05) more info...

This is a song about overcoming composer's block (writer's block for music makers). I keep getting stuck with my song writing over and over, and I have been dealing with that by starting a new song instead of finishing what I was working on. Or I have an idea that's going somewhere but I don't stick it through because it's not "good enough". Lame!

I don't know the secret to overcoming composers block but I was thinking about this issue when writing my newest song (which took less than a day!) and I think there are a few things that helped in this case:

I released a new version of ajm objects: 0.8.8 (don't ask me where these numbers come from, they don't mean anything). This is pretty much just a minor maintenance release.

The biggest change, which a few people have requested, is Ruby 1.9 support.

This weekend I added a few new goodies. There's a couple more Processing sketches and videos. Here's the sketches:

rotations

poi_bounce

When I'm experimenting with Processing I mess around with the code a lot and try various parameters and randomizations. These sketches don't capture all the interesting things I encounter during a coding session. So I decided to try generating some videos with the rotations sketch.

I've gotten into Processing lately. It's pretty sweet. I've been meaning to do more with generative graphics and animation and now I have a good tool to explore with.

Check out my first Processing app here → square_flower

(Ok maybe it's not my first, but it is the first one I thought cool enough to post here)

If you don't know what Processing is, it's an easy-to-use language focused on programming (potentially interactive) graphics and animation. Here's the official Processing site if you want to know more.

I haven't been very good about updating this site or my software so far this year. I am still doing lots of computer music stuff, though! I changed priorities back in December/January and started trying out lots of new software in order to expand my horizons, educate myself on what's out there, and get new ideas for my own software.

One result of this exploration was I switched over to Ableton Live as my primary environment for making music. Coming from Logic I wanted to continue using Logic's instruments, but I found this was a pain in the ass to accomplish and I had to spend a lot of time experimenting.

For posterity's sake, and because it's past time for me to put some actually interesting/useful content on this site again, I'm writing a series of articles about using Live and Logic together. Article #1, the Overview, can be found here with more to follow soon.

[Update: June 20, 2009] I've posted the second article, MIDI Routing.

[Update: July 30, 2009] I posted the next article, routing audio with Wormhole. Sorry that took so long!

I'm pretty much committed to Max/MSP as my platform of choice for patcher-style visual programming environments, but I realize there's people out there who are going to go with the free option instead of dishing out money for commercial software. From what I've heard in the blogosphere, Pd seems to be the typical choice.

Written for Camel Audio's Alchemy song competition.
More info.

January 28, 2009 - 8:18pm — Adam

I recently made a feature request to Sonic Charge to expose more control of their Synplant synthesizer to my MIDI controller. Specifically I wanted to plant a new random seed at the press of a button on my keyboard. Little did I know how quickly I could get this feature.

This is a follow up to my previous posting on the hunt for a good keyboard controller.

I checked out the Novation Remote 37SL, M-Audio Axiom 49, and Akai MPK49 in person.