Max/MSP 中级班
Max/MSP Summer Workshop (Intermediate)

2011年某月，我有幸参加了沈阳音乐学院的MAX/MSP workshop

一、在来到沈阳上课之前，这次课程对我最大的吸引在于：

1. 引入英国教学方式，并由英国讲师Graham Booth亲自执教。

2. 全程英文授课并配备翻译，翻译由沈阳音乐学院讲师张睿博担任，两位都有深厚的专业基础，双语教学的优势体现的淋漓尽致。

3. 课程将由Max应用实例开始，从实例中学习应用Max要比普通从零开始要更有吸引力，会极大的提升学生在学习时的信心和成就感。

4. 课上课下都可以提问，可以和讲师吃住在一起，全程英文交流，在学习的同时可以感受英国人的生活和学习方式，并可以快速提升自身的口语。

5. 花国内低廉的学习费用，学习国外的知识。

二、来到沈阳后的第二天， 我们快速的进入了学习状态，以下是在课程中的感受：

1. 非常重要的一点是，在来到沈阳以后，之前对此次学习的期待都一一实现，并没有让我有失望的感觉。

2. 课程非常丰富，没有一丝拖沓，Graham老师准备非常充分，将课程每个实例都提前做了一遍，而且是不同版本，电子教案也做的非常专业，第一堂课就将未来需要学习的资料、音频素材以及教学内容提纲分发给了每个学生，让我们对课程充满信心。

3. Max对新手来说是非常枯燥的，但是Max的鼓机应用实例，让我知道了Max到底可以做什么，这点很重要，它可以让新手有一个学习方向，过去对Max的学习容易让人盲目，甚至抓狂，曾经让我放弃很多次。

4. 之后的惊喜是老师将Max鼓机程序打破，加入了很多实验元素，学生可以尝试加入自己的创意，变成独一无二的程序，老师会对每一个学生的程序进行修改和讲解，这又让我对Max强大的功能深爱不已。

5. 在每天课后的时间，我们会和老师交流一些中英文化的差异， 会在一起欣赏和讨论一些电子音乐作品，甚至老师会在课后教授一些你希望了解，但是不在课程之内的内容，只要你提问，就会有耐心的解答。

三、之前都是我对课程的亲身感受，现在我有一些建设性意见，希望可以对未来的学生做一些贡献：

1. 课程时间不长，虽然一周的时间已经完全掌握了基础和继续自学的能力，但是如果时间可以更长的话，相信可以获的更多想不到的东西。

2. 课程举办周期太长，每年一次课程实在太少了，希望可以多增加一些。

3. 目前只在沈阳举办，对外地的学生不是很方便，但是不建议网络授课，国外机构的一些网络授课我也尝试过，但是现场教学和网络差异实在太大了。

四、最后，十分感谢张睿博老师为我们筹划了这次的Workshop，这是一次课程，更是一次体验，而且更像一个MAX夏令营！

Workshop Info:

The aim of the workshop will be to create a four channel drum machine. This will involve creating separate Max/MSP patches which can playback and synthesise drum sounds, as well as a master sequencer patch for creating and triggering drum patterns. The overall design will be similar to software drum machines (such as Propellorheads' Redrum) or classic hardware drum machines such as the Roland TR-808.

The task as a whole will provide a solid grounding in both Max (control messages) and MSP (digital signal processing). The core principles of sound playback, synthesis and sequencing will be introduced, alongside aspects of sound mixing and user interface design. These techniques are the foundations of almost any Max/MSP patch.

Each session will consist of four elements, as follows:

A Theory
- lecture with handouts and interactive examples from the book
"Electronic Music and Sound Design"

B Introduction to the Max/MSP Environment
- demonstrations and activities which will introduce you to how to use
the Max/MSP application

C Example Patches
- a look at a range of existing patches to understand how they work

D Patching Activities
- creating your own Max/MSP patches and reusing them in more complex projects

Time will be available in the final session and outside of class time
to work on projects with advanced students.

Session 1: Create a Simple Sample Sequencer

AM
1.1 understand the basics of patching in Max
1.2 build and encapsulate a simple sample playback patch
1.3 control the sampler using envelopes

PM
1.4 build a simple sequencer patch
1.5 control the sampler using the sequencer
1.6 create a user interface for the sampler/sequencer (in presentation mode)

Session 2: Drum Sound Synthesis and Sample Accurate Sequencing

AM:
2.1 understand the pros and cons of sampling and synthesis
2.2 understand the principles of additive and subtractive synthesis
2.3 synthesise a snare drum using additive and subtractive synthesis methods
2.4 synthesise a bass drum using additive and subtractive synthesis methods
2.5 use envelopes to alter the pitch and timbre of sounds over time

PM:
2.6 build a sample accurate sequencer to trigger sounds
2.7 add a mixer section to the patch to combine and pan sounds

Session 3: Wave Table Synthesis and Multi-Channel Sequencing

AM:
3.1 understand the principles of wavetable synthesis
3.2 synthesise a cymbal sound using wavetable synthesis

PM:
3.3 build a four channel drum sequencer with duration, envelope, panning and gain control. The finished sequencer should:

- show the current playback position
- allow forwards or backwards playback
- allow tempo to be specified in beats per minute (bpm)
- allow notes to be placed freely or snap to a time grid (quantisation)
- allow an amplitude envelope to be applied to each type of drum sound
- allow variation of a single parameter for each drum hit (i.e. pitch of bass drum)
- allow patterns to be recalled and saved

Session 4:
Open Session

The final session will be an open one, depending on the progress of the previous sessions. Topics may include:

- Design Your Own Max Patch (a chance to realise a simple Max patch of your own design)
- Review of Techniques (a chance to go over aspects you would like to practice on)
- Additional Topics (i.e. use of hardware controllers)

费用：1500元
设计排序与一对一辅导

旁听：500元 （讲座）
*沈音作曲系学生免费旁听

Tuition: 1,500RMB
patch designing and private lesson

Observer: 500RMB (lecture only)
*Students from Composition Dept. of Shenyang Conservatory of Music is free as observer.