Exercise A: A Basic Patch in BEAP

Using the BEAP subsystem in Max, try to reproduce the analog synthesis basic patch referred to in the reading for this week.

Instructions

On the computer in MC304, or on any of the computers in M373 on the third floor of the Music Library, launch Max 8, and take the following steps to familiarize yourself with BEAP.

  • Open a new patcher window (File > New Patcher),
  • add modules from BEAP (by clicking the 'b' icon in the left margin of the window, clicking a category name, and dragging a module into the patcher window),
  • connect modules (by clicking on an outlet at the bottom of a module and dragging a patch cable to the inlet at the top of another module),
  • lock the patcher window (by clicking the padlock icon in the lower left corner of the window),
  • turn on audio (by clicking the power button in the lower right corner of the window).

To edit the patch, the padlock icon must be unlocked; to manipulate controls in the patch (dials, sliders), the padlock icon must be locked.

If you need help remembering how to construct this kind of patch, please watch A Few Minutes with BEAP: Create a Simple Synthesizer. (Other videos in this series will help you go further.) The only part of the basic patch that is missing in this video tutorial is another envelope generator to control the filter cutoff frequency.

Submission

  • Save your patcher window to disk as “Exercise A.maxpat,” and submit this in Canvas.

Grading Criteria

This assignment will be graded pass/fail. If it produces sound and reproduces the functionality of the basic patch, you pass. You may ask for help with it during tutorial before submitting it on Thursday night.