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 VCV Rack, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Max/MSP are Pure Data, SuperCollider, Vuo and DISTRHO Cardinal.
- Music Production App
- Paid • Proprietary
- 26 VCV Rack alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
VCV Rack Features
Comments about VCV Rack as an Alternative to Max/MSP
- 44 Pure Data alternatives
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.
Pure Data Features
Comments about Pure Data as an Alternative to Max/MSP
The original one I used and it's open source.
puikheidPure 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.
- 33 SuperCollider alternatives
SuperCollider is a platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic composition, used by musicians, artists, and researchers working with sound. It consists of:
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- BSD
SuperCollider Features
- 25 Vuo alternatives
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...
License model
- Free Personal • Open Source
Application types
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
Top Vuo Features
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...
License model
- Free • Open Source
Country of Origin
Canada
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
DISTRHO Cardinal Features
- 33 TouchDesigner alternatives
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.
License model
- Free Personal • Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
TouchDesigner Features
- 20 Reaktor alternatives
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.
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Country of Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
Reaktor Features
- 10 HISE alternatives
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.
License model
- Free • Open Source
Country of Origin
Germany
EU
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
HISE Features
- 16 OpenFrameworks alternatives
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:
License model
- Free • Open Source
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
OpenFrameworks Features
ChucK is a programming language for real-time sound synthesis and music creation. ChucK presents a unique time-based, concurrent programming model that's precise and expressive (we call this strongly-timed), dynamic control rates, and the ability to add and modify code...
License model
- Free • Open Source
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
TunePad is a free online platform for creating music with the Python programming language. Our step-by-step tutorials are perfect for beginners, and our advanced production tools power music making for experienced users.
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Application type
Country of Origin
United States
Platforms
- Online
TunePad Features
SynthCraft provides a modular canvas and GUI designer for visually building audio plugins. Connect pre-compiled DSP modules together with virtual patch cables to create and modify sound. The app uses a built-in high speed DSP/C compiler to build native 32/64-bit binaries so no...
License model
- Free • Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
SynthCraft Features
Max/MSP is a programming language, VCV Rack is a virtual modular environment.
While there are some similarities their use-cases are wildly different.