A Max Library for Musical Notation and Computer-Aided Composition

Abstract

This article introduces a library of external objects for real-time computer-aided composition and musical notation in Max. The library provides Max with a set of tools for the graphical representation of musical notation, manipulation of musical scores through a variety of approaches ranging from GUI interaction to constraint programming, and sequencing. The library is oriented to real-time interaction, and is meant to interoperate easily with other processes or devices controlled by Max, such as DSP tools, MIDI instruments, or generic hardware systems. These features and design choices place our software at the intersection of various categories of musical software environments and approaches, allowing it to help reduce the gap found between tools for sound-based, electroacoustic musical practices, and for symbol-based, traditional composition. The library is called “bach: automated composer’s helper.”