Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Building a simple artificial neural network in Max/MSP for nonlinear, chaotic control of data-driven instruments.
I’ve talked before about data-driven instruments (youtu.be/NHufvylg0Vw?si=w4YJNH1cNHZP5CaB), and I’ve talked before about artificial neurons and artificial neural networks (youtu.be/SblYnu8OzEI), so here I combine the ideas to use a simple neural network to give some chaotic character to incoming data from a mouse and joystick before converting into into MIDI music. The ANN (Artificial Neural Network) reinterprets the data in way that isn't random, but also isn't linear, perhaps giving some interesting "organic" sophistication to our data-driven instrument.
In this video, I work entirely with musical control in MIDI, but these ideas could also apply to OSC or directly to any musical characteristics (like cutoff frequency of a filter, granular density, etc.).
More Max/MSP Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7w4cOVVxL6GB20i9BXQfRLFMUujYOoin
More Artificial Neurons and Neural Networks: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7w4cOVVxL6GojicLv-6sTL-l63pVSPQP
0:00 Intro
1:43 [mousestate] for Data Input
2:58 Mapping a linear data-driven instrument
7:19 Making our Artificial Neuron
15:27 Simple ANN
20:06 Adding Feedback
22:23 Closing Thoughts, Next Steps
Logitech G Extreme 3D Joystick on amazon (affiliate link): amzn.to/3u7rHPb
Dr. Jeffrey Stolet’s book on data-driven instruments and electronic music performance (affiliate link): amzn.to/40vGfo1
LINKS:
Subscribe: youtube.com/user/SimonHutc/?sub_confirmation=1
Official Website - simonhutchinson.com
bandcamp (lots of free music!): simonhutchinson.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Sign up for my mailing list: eepurl.com/hVs7bT
Buy my old gear on Reverb (affiliate link): reverb.grsm.io/simon
Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/simonhutchinson
My VoiceOver gear (affiliate links)
Aston Microphones Origin (amazon): amzn.to/40wQ7Og
dbx 286s Channel Strip (amazon): amzn.to/3QxZDvN
* I provide affiliate links for some products that I use and enjoy. If you end up buying something through these external links, I may earn a small commission (while the price for you remains the same).
#neuralnetworks #maxmsp #datadriveninstruments #SoundSynthesis #sounddesign #ExperimentalMusic
Building a simple artificial neural network in Max/MSP for nonlinear, chaotic control of data-driven instruments.
I’ve talked before about data-driven instruments (youtu.be/NHufvylg0Vw?si=w4YJNH1cNHZP5CaB), and I’ve talked before about artificial neurons and artificial neural networks (youtu.be/SblYnu8OzEI), so here I combine the ideas to use a simple neural network to give some chaotic character to incoming data from a mouse and joystick before converting into into MIDI music. The ANN (Artificial Neural Network) reinterprets the data in way that isn't random, but also isn't linear, perhaps giving some interesting "organic" sophistication to our data-driven instrument.
In this video, I work entirely with musical control in MIDI, but these ideas could also apply to OSC or directly to any musical characteristics (like cutoff frequency of a filter, granular density, etc.).
More Max/MSP Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7w4cOVVxL6GB20i9BXQfRLFMUujYOoin
More Artificial Neurons and Neural Networks: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7w4cOVVxL6GojicLv-6sTL-l63pVSPQP
0:00 Intro
1:43 [mousestate] for Data Input
2:58 Mapping a linear data-driven instrument
7:19 Making our Artificial Neuron
15:27 Simple ANN
20:06 Adding Feedback
22:23 Closing Thoughts, Next Steps
Logitech G Extreme 3D Joystick on amazon (affiliate link): amzn.to/3u7rHPb
Dr. Jeffrey Stolet’s book on data-driven instruments and electronic music performance (affiliate link): amzn.to/40vGfo1
LINKS:
Subscribe: youtube.com/user/SimonHutc/?sub_confirmation=1
Official Website - simonhutchinson.com
bandcamp (lots of free music!): simonhutchinson.bandcamp.com/follow_me
Sign up for my mailing list: eepurl.com/hVs7bT
Buy my old gear on Reverb (affiliate link): reverb.grsm.io/simon
Buy me a coffee: ko-fi.com/simonhutchinson
My VoiceOver gear (affiliate links)
Aston Microphones Origin (amazon): amzn.to/40wQ7Og
dbx 286s Channel Strip (amazon): amzn.to/3QxZDvN
* I provide affiliate links for some products that I use and enjoy. If you end up buying something through these external links, I may earn a small commission (while the price for you remains the same).
#neuralnetworks #maxmsp #datadriveninstruments #SoundSynthesis #sounddesign #ExperimentalMusic
