Max For Live Basics: Part 2 Creating a Simple MIDI effect

In this tutorial I'll go through creating a simple MIDI Effects that will make a singular note into a chord.

So lets get started.

Load up a Max MIDI Effect



Delete all the comments boxes so all you have left are the "midiin" and "midiout" boxes.



Now add a object and type "midiselect @note all" in it. The "@note" means you're interested in the note data and "all" mans all note data.

Now connect the Raw MIDI Messages from the midiin box the the Raw MIDI data on the top of the midiselect box.

**Save often, it can crash or stop working! you'll have to reload but if you save often. No worries.



On the bottom of your midiselect box you will see 8 outputs.

• Note-on and Note-off (List: Pitch, Velocity)
  
• Poly Key Pressure (List: Key, Value)
  
• Controller Change (Controller Number, Value)
  
• Program Change
  
• Aftertouch
  
• Pitch Bend
  
• MIDI Channel
  
• Unselected Raw MIDI data
  

Now add another boject box and type "zl slice 1" into it.

"zl" is a list processor. Now you have a left slice of output and a right slice of output.

Now add another object and type in "noteout" this will have 3 inputs: Pitch, Velocity, and MIDI Channel.

Connect left slice to pitch, right slice to velocity, and the MIDI Channel from the "midiselect" to the MIDI channel on you "noteout"



As of right now it still is doing nothing. Lets make a chord!

Now if you know anything about chords, Its built from intervals measured in semitones. Your connection to from your left slice to your pitch is your root note of your chord. You will have to add an object box for each interval you want to add. and type in it "+ 3" for a minor third for example.

Minor Second = 1 semitone above the root.
Major Second = 2 Semitones above the root.
Minor Third = 3 Semitones above.
Major Third = 4 Semitones.
Perfect Fourth = 5 Semitones.
Augmented Fourth = 6 Semitones.
Diminished Fifth = 6 Semitones.
Perfect Fifth = 7 Semitones.
Augmented Fifth = 8 Semitones.
Minor Sixth = 8 Semitones.
Major Sixth = 9 Semitones.
Minor Seventh = 10 Semitones.
Major Seventh = 11 Semitones.
Octave = 12 semitones.

In my example I made a minor chord. A minor 3rd and a prefect 5th.



If I were you I'd have Max effects for all sorts of chords!

Your basic triads..
3 and 7 = Minor
4 and 7 = Major
3 and 3 = Diminished
4 and 4 = Augmented

Thanks again, keep posted.

Download my 4 Auto Chord Max MIDI Effects here

It includes, major chord, minor chord, diminished chord and augmented chord.

Thanks!