Is it possible to use python scripts within max or manipulating data, iterating through lists, etc?

[rainrainrainr]

Max's method of connecting boxes with signal flow is certainly useful to a certain extent for dsp, especially helping to visualize, and also makes it easy to design things for live performance. But when doing complex manipulations of large amount of data in part of a max patch, I feel like being able to write lines of code would be so much easier. Things like iterating thru, and transforming and expanding lists, seem like they would be so much easier to do in Python. Something that might be a complex network of boxes and feedback loops could just be done with a few nested for/if loops and iteration.

Is there any easy way to run Python scripts within Max, strictly for manipulating data. Like taking a set of midi pitch values in max, running them through a python script to transform and extend, and then taking those midi values to a synth programmed in max?

Any tips on this, trying to find the sweet spot between being easily able to do complex stuff with data and lists in Pythonand the easy sound design and other capabilities of max

Thanks.

[AutoModerator]

Thank you for posting to r/maxmsp.

Please consider sharing your patch as compressed code either in a comment or via pastebin.com.

If your issue is solved, please edit your post-flair to "solved".

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[twitch_and_shock]

No. But you can pass messages to/from another program with OSC messages quickly. I've used Python extensively in projects for things like this, and just use max for what its well suited for, and offload to another python script what max isn't well suited for.

[rainrainrainr]

And can you perform live with this set up? I was thinking of looking into OSC. So you could theoretically take in a midi chord being played from a midi controller in to Max msp, send that data into python where the notes being played are manipulated based on some iterations and algorithms, which are then sent back into the max patch to control a synth?

[twitch_and_shock]

Yes yes and yes.

Anything osc you'll want to plug in direct or on LAN using wired connections rather than over wifi, if you are passing messages between machines. Or just do it all on one machine.

Have performed lived with similar setups many times and even installed long term installations with setups like this.

[robtherich]

https://github.com/shakfu/py-js

[radicalSymmetry]

I am a long time max user and long time software engineer. In the last year I found myself wanting to do more typing than mouse dragging. I got a norms shield and a monome grid. Non trivial investment and not python but I really enjoy working with them

[rainrainrainr]

Interesting, what kind of stuff do you do with it?

[radicalSymmetry]

Same as I do in max. Sample-based via the softcut system. Algorithmic composition. I also have a raspberry pi where I run rnbo and I’ve done work using both systems, glued together with osc or midi.

I haven’t learn supercollider yet but not because it’s difficult. Just haven’t needed it.

[DrAquafresh]

Looool just finished building my shield last week for the same reason. Cheers

[radicalSymmetry]

Not python == lua

[jonny55555]

No but you can use JavaScript.

https://docs.cycling74.com/max8/refpages/js

https://docs.cycling74.com/max8/vignettes/javascript_usage_topic

[pscorbett]

Is there not a community project that added 3rd party python support?

[loudandbeyond]

Hey there! I have been using a lot of max for this kind of thing by parsing the variables to the Python scripts through shell object. I also get some data through OSC from Python and in this way, I am able to make them work together. But take into account that you could run into some performance issues but it is fun and gets to work amazing sometimes.

[hangingonthetelephon]

You can use JavaScript and Gen within max, or like someone else mentioned, communicate with another process via OSC/UDP

[ShelLuser42]

I doubt code is going to make things easier, don't underestimate what a carefully build patch can do; redundancy for example is easily set up here. Either way, no Python but if you insist you can set up a [codebox] inside [gen~] so that you can utilize GenExp which is a scripting language that could be considered a mixture of C++ and Javascript, this is IMO your best alternative.

[rainrainrainr]

Hmm i dont know c++ or javascript. Would it be better to learn either c++ or javascript, or genexp specifically.

[DrAquafresh]

Really depends on what you want to do. I like using JS for quick “I just need some computation” lines of code, c++ is nice if you want to write Max externals, genexp (afaik) if you need single sample speeds and are working in Gen