The Software
Written by Justin MizelleThe computers in the studio contain several programs used in the music creation process. The three types of software used in this process are editing, mixing, and performance, but there are several other utilities that are occasionally used. There are three programs that get by far the most use in the studio: Peak, Protools, and MAX/MSP. Click on any of the images to see a larger view.
Peak - BIAS, Inc.
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For editing, processing and mastering sounds, Peak is the application of choice. Sounds can be manipulated
in almost any way imaginable using the built tools and third-party
plug-ins. Functions such as time
stretch, reverse, and pitch shift are a few examples of the built in tools, and
plug-ins can be
installed to do complex processing, such as filtering, reverb and automatic panning. Peak displays the
wave-form of the sound being editing, so that you can edit with a high level of accuracy, and see exactly
how the sound is being changed.
Protools - Digidesign
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After you have all of the sounds ready, its time to put them all together. Protools is a multi-track
mixing program, which means you can layer the sounds, place them within a timeline, and still be able
to manipulate them individually. Protools makes mastering easy. Volumes and pans for individual tracks can be
raised, lowered or faded to bring the sounds to the right level within the mix. Protools can also utilize
plug-ins for track or mix-wide processing, and MIDI for external input and controls.
MAX/MSP - Cycling '74
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MAX/MSP is best described, in the developer's own words, as "a graphical programming environment for music and
media applications."1 What that equates to is a object-based programming
language that is similar to C++, but instead of hand coding, users link objects together graphically and input
parameters. With MAX/MSP, sounds can be manipulated in literally any way possible, and works in real-time so that
live performance is possible. Variables and conditionals can be used to make each performance original, and
external MIDI controls can be used to manipulate objects within the program for interactive performances.
MAX/MSP can also be used to create plug-ins that can be inported and used by other software.
More MAX/MSP screenshots:
Autopan
Harmonic Exciter
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