Language - Max/MSP

Max/MSP, developed by Cycling74 is a visual programming language for creating music and media applications.

Introduction

Only Max/MSP 4.5 or higher are supported.

Quick Downloads

Just need the Max/MSP drivers, libraries, and examples? Here they are:

Library and Example Code

• Windows
• Mac OS X

Libraries and Drivers

• 32-bit Windows Drivers Installer
• 64-bit Windows Drivers Installer
• Mac OS X Drivers Installer

Getting started with Max/MSP

If you are new to writing code for Phidgets, we recommend starting by running, then modifying existing examples. This will allow you to:

• Make sure your libraries are properly linked
• Go from source code to a test application as quickly as possible
• Ensure your Phidget is hooked up properly

Instructions are divided up by operating system. Choose:

• Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7
• Mac OS X

Windows(2000/XP/Vista/7)

Description of Library Files

Max/MSP programs on Windows depend on the following files, which the installers above put onto your system:

• phidget21.dll contains the actual Phidgets library, which is used at run-time. By default, it is placed in C:\Windows\System32.
• PhidgetXXX.mxe is the Phidgets library for your specific device. XXX denotes the name of your device, Please make sure the .mxe file corresponds with the device you are using. For example, if you are using the PhidgetInterfaceKit, you will need the PhidgetInterfaceKit.mxe It is to be placed in the same directory as your .help file or anywhere in the Max/MSP class path.

If you do not want to use our installer, you can download the phidget21.dll and manually install it where you want; refer to our Manual Installation instructions.

Use Our Examples

Please start by downloading the Max/MSP Examples and Library. These examples were written in Max/MSP 4.6, but are also supported on other versions.

To run the examples, you first download them from above and unpack them into a folder. Here, you will find example programs, in .help format for all the devices. If you aren't sure what the software example for your device is called, check the software object listed in the Getting Started guide for your device.

The only thing left to do is to run the examples! Open the .help file in the Max environment.

Once you have the Max/MSP examples running, we have a teaching section below to help you follow them.

Write Your Own Code

When you are building a project from scratch, or adding Phidget function calls to an existing project, you'll need to configure the Max/MSP environment to properly link the Phidget libraries. To begin:

Place the .mxe in the same directory as the patcher, or anywhere in the Max/MSP class path. You can verify the class path locations by navigating to Options | File Preferences.

The best way to start writing your patch is to modify the examples, and saving it as a .pat file.

If you wish to start a new patch. All you need to do is create an object named PhidgetXXX where XXX is the name of your device. For example, the PhidgetRFID device will have the PhidgetRFID object name. The project now has access to the Phidget21 function calls and you are ready to begin coding.

The same teaching section which describes the examples also has further resources for programming your Phidget.

Mac OS X

Max/MSP has excellent support on Mac OS X.

The first step in using C# on Mac is to install the Phidget libraries. Compile and install them as explained on the getting started guide for your device. Then, the OS - Mac OS X page also describes the different Phidget files, their installed locations, and their roles....

Follow The Examples

By following the instructions for your operating system, you probably now have a working example and want to understand it better so you can change it to do what you want. This teaching section has resources for you to learn from the examples and write your own.

Now, it is time to explain how to operate the example.

The above screenshot is what shows up when you open the example for the PhidgetInterfaceKit. If you are using a different device, your example patch will be different, but the idea is the same.

The Max object is called PhidgetInterfaceKit, which is located in the center of the screen. Other objects are connected to the inputs and outputs of the PhidgetInterfaceKit object. The input objects will either cause the a property of the device to change or request for a property to be retrieved. The output objects return the retrieved information. All the supported features of the device are shown in the .help file.

Try it for yourself! Click on the getSerial message box to send a message to the your Phidget. You should see the last output object of route changed to the serial number of your device. All devices support the getSerial object, and is the easiest way to determine if the Phidget libraries are correctly set up, and whether the Max/MSP application is connected to your device.

If your example contains the read message box, click on it. This will return all the device specific values to the screen.

If your example contains the start message box, you can continuously poll for events. Set the sample rate input for the setSampleRate object. Then, press the start message box. Upon events triggering, certain values will be continuously returned to the screen. Press the stop message box to stop sampling.

For the PhidgetInterfaceKit example, there is also a setoutput message box. Clicking on the check boxes will cause the digital outputs of the PhidgetInterfaceKit device to change. Your example may contain device specific message boxes/objects to click on. See for yourself what they do!

Next, comes our API information. These resources outline the Max/MSP Phidget objects:

• Device Specific APIs (more general help on functions specific to your Phidget)

Common Problems and Solutions/Workarounds

Here you can put various frequent problems and our recommended solutions.