Max/MSP AlternativesMusic Production Apps like Max/MSP

Max/MSP is described as 'Interactive visual programming environment for music, audio, and media' and is a music production app in the audio & music category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Max/MSP for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Web-based and Android apps. The best Max/MSP alternative is Pure Data, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Max/MSP are AudioTool, VCV Rack, Vuo and SuperCollider.

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Alternatives list

  1. Pure Data icon

    Pure Data

     40 likes
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    Pd (aka Pure Data) is a real-time graphical programming environment for audio, video, and graphical processing. It is the third major branch of the family of patcher programming languages known as Max (Max/FTS, ISPW Max, Max/MSP, jMax, etc.

    46 Pure Data alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Pure Data screenshot 1
     
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    13
    Comments about Pure Data as an Alternative to Max/MSP
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    The original one I used and it's open source.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    puikheid
    Positive
    0

    Pure Data is quite literally the MSP in Max/MSP. Without Pure Data Max/MSP wouldn't exist.

    It is the most commonly used alternative to Max/MSP and has many similar features. It's standard UI is more "classic", but due to its opensource nature there are a lot of custom builds and integrations using it.

    Max/MSP Icon
    Pure Data icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Pure Data is a great Max/MSP alternative.

    • Pure Data is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Max/MSP.

    • Pure Data is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Max/MSP.

    • Pure Data is Free and Open SourceMax/MSP is Paid and Proprietary
    • Pure Data is LightweightMax/MSP is not according to our users
  2. AudioTool icon

    AudioTool

     79 likes
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    Make music online with a powerful set of tools ranging from synthesizers and samplers to mixers, delays, reverb and much more. AudioTool is an advanced, collaborative DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) built for the browser.

    76 AudioTool alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    AudioTool screenshot 1
     

    • AudioTool is the most popular Web-based alternative to Max/MSP.

    • AudioTool is Free and ProprietaryMax/MSP is Paid and Proprietary
  4. VCV Rack icon

    VCV Rack

     25 likes
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    VCV Rack is a modular synthesizer inspired by Eurorack systems. It acts a host for virtual modules which perform various audio processes. E.G. oscillators, filters, envelope generators, sequencers and more that can be connected freely in almost limitless combinations.

    28 VCV Rack alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    VCV Rack screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about VCV Rack as an Alternative to Max/MSP
    puikheid
    Negative
    0

    Max/MSP is a programming language, VCV Rack is a virtual modular environment.

    While there are some similarities their use-cases are wildly different.

    Max/MSP Icon
    VCV Rack icon
    • VCV Rack is Free and Open SourceMax/MSP is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Vuo icon

    Vuo

     12 likes
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    Vuo lets media creators make interactive animations, exhibits, performances, and professional-grade media projects by connecting up simple building blocks. Media creators can use these blocks to manipulate audio input, images, layers, videos, and 2D + 3D graphics, as well as...

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    Compositions made in Vuo
     
  6. SuperCollider icon

    SuperCollider

     16 likes
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    SuperCollider is a platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic composition, used by musicians, artists, and researchers working with sound. It consists of:

    36 SuperCollider alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
     
  7. plugdata icon

    plugdata

     2 likes
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    plugdata is a free/open-source visual programming environment based on pure-data. It is available for a wide range of operating systems, and can be used both as a standalone app, or as a VST3, LV2, CLAP or AU plugin.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    plugdata screenshot 1
     

    • plugdata is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Max/MSP.

    • plugdata is Free and Open SourceMax/MSP is Paid and Proprietary
  9. OpenFrameworks icon

    OpenFrameworks

     26 likes
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    openFrameworks is an open source C++ toolkit designed to assist the creative process by providing a simple and intuitive framework for experimentation. The toolkit is designed to work as a general purpose glue, and wraps together several commonly used libraries, including:

    17 OpenFrameworks alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    graphicsExample
     
  10. Reaktor icon

    Reaktor

     12 likes
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    Native Instruments Reaktor is a virtual, modular synthesis platform. REAKTOR also provides a platform for modular synthesis in the form of Blocks – a range of sound generating and sound shaping modules.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Reaktor screenshot 1
     
  11. TouchDesigner icon

    TouchDesigner

     9 likes
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    TouchDesigner is a complete authoring tool for building interactive 3D art, visualizations, prototypes and UIs. Derivative makes and supports TouchDesigner and offers their services to do custom production using TouchDesigner.

    32 TouchDesigner alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Sample project screen
     
  12. DISTRHO Cardinal icon

    DISTRHO Cardinal

     5 likes
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    Cardinal is a free and open-source virtual modular synthesizer plugin based on VCV Rack but with a focus on being a fully self-contained plugin version. It's available as CLAP, LV2, VST2 and VST3 audio plugin for FreeBSD, Linux, macOS and...

    25 DISTRHO Cardinal alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    DISTRHO Cardinal screenshot 1
     
  13. Tidal Cycles icon

    Tidal Cycles

     1 like
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    A free/open source live coding environment for algorithmic patterns, written in Haskell. Tidal is using SuperCollider, another open-source software, for synthesis and MIDI.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Tidal Cycles screenshot 1
     
  14. HISE icon

    HISE

     6 likes
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    HISE is a cross-platform open source audio application for building virtual instruments. It emphasizes on sampling, but includes some basic synthesis features for making hybrid instruments as well as audio effects.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    HISE screenshot 1
     
12 of 44 Max/MSP alternatives