Role-reversal: Max/MSP as an audio engine for Java

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Description/Abstract

FrameWorks 3D is an audio sequencing application written in Java using extensions to the standard multi-track tape analogy in order to create a more fluid environment for music composition. A three-dimensional (3D) user-interface presents the audio sequence, allowing complex musical structures to be navigated and manipulated by the composer. Max/MSP is a well known real-time media processing tool, particularly suited to live electronics; mediating hardware controllers, DSP, MIDI and graphics. Max can be extended with new processing objects written in number of programming languages including Java. FrameWorks 3D adopts Max/MSP in an unusual way, conceptually reversing this role, using Max/MSP to provide additional functionality to Java, in particular to support audio processing. The benefits include access to a low latency audio engine and signal processing objects, user-extensibility, and rapid prototyping support. This article focuses on the technical issues discovered during the project, rather than on FrameWorks 3D itself