MusicRadar

Max/MSP 5 is available in a box or as a download.

View in gallery

Casual music software users may not even have heard of Cycling ‘74’s Max/MSP, but people who like to develop their own interactive performance tools will tell you that it’s the application that they couldn’t do without. Fans include the likes of Aphex Twin, Daft Punk and Radiohead.

The good news for these artists and many others is that version 5 of the software has just been released. Said to have been in development for over two years, Cycling ’74 is claiming that this ushers in a new era for Max/MSP.

New features include a redesigned multi-processing kernel, a streamlined development environment, a new patcher interface, a searchable database of objects and examples, integrated documentation and new tutorials. Cycling ’74 is saying that the learning curve for new users is now smoother, and that existing users will see improved productivity.

Max/MSP 5 is available now priced at $495. It can be purchased as a download or via your local distributor. The upgrade price for existing users is $199, though people who purchased the software after October 1 2007 can move up to version 5 for free.

If you want to find out more about Max/MSP and what you can do with it, check out the Cycling ’74 website.

Around the web: