Josh Gumiela aka Foster Dad

You may be familiar with the program known as Max (or Pure Data, the open source equivalent). Artists and musicians have been using Max for 20 years, creating installations, compositions, interactive exhibits, multi-screen video works, light shows, computer games, and pretty much anything they could dream up. The major innovation is a patch-like interface that appeals to the musician’s love of pedals. Draw a line from this signal generator to this volume arpeggio to this distortion box . . . well, you get the idea. If that sounds like something you want to incorporate into your own work but you’re intimidated by the (seeming) complexity, you’re in luck. T.I. participant JOSH GUMIELA (Foster Dad) is teaching a Max 6 class on Thursday, April 19th at Brick Factory Nashville.

According to TheSkillery.com, where you can sign up, the course will . . .

will teach you how to build your own computer applications using Max 6. Max is programming software that allows you to easily build applications without having to learn text-based code. Max is designed specifically with the programming novice in mind, allowing you to program custom software for sound, video, 3D animation, data interpretation, and much more in an intuitive, user-friendly environment. Max 6 provides a huge advantage over text-based programming languages in that it is easy to learn and artists can rapidly create their own customized applications to drive art installations, create and record music, manipulate video, and interpret data–all without ever having to write single line of code. Students will learn the fundamental concepts behind MIDI, digital audio, video, and OpenGL 3D image generation. They will also learn how to incorporate external controllers such as MIDI devices, game controllers, smart phones, sensors, and microcontrollers such as Arduino into their designs. At the end of the course, students will have an application to take home with them or share with their friends, such as a video mixer, synthesizer, audio processor, or game.

Any electronic composer or media artist who isn’t already utilizing Max or Pure Data should take this class. Josh is an insanely talented instrument builder and composer, and his face lights up when talking about Max. Load a free 30 day trial of Max 6 on your laptop, head over to Brick Factory Nashville, and get schooled. If you can’t make the first class, they’re offering another class on the 26th.

Intro to Max 6 Programming
Thursday, April 19th, 6:30pm
Brick Factory Nashville (inside Cummins Station)
Suite 126
209 10th Ave South
Nashville, TN 37203