Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    Who is this MAX? Are you sure you're in the right note? Do you use
    a computer MIDI interface with MAX?
    
    -um so

    The MAX is a MIDI-compatible synth from Sequential Circuits (the
    Prophet folks).  It is derived from the SixTrak synth they offered
    a few years ago.
    
    len.
    

    For those of us who don't know the MAX's features, could you relate
    some basic info for us, such as:
    
    	a) how many simultaneous notes can be held down at once?
    	   (which is to say, is this synth 4-note, 6-note, 8-note,
    	   16-note polyphonic?)
    
    	b)  velocity-sensitive keyboard?
    
    	c)  pressure-sensitive keyboard?
    
    	d)  Does the synth have an on-board sequencer? How many notes?
    
    	e)  By what method are the sounds produced?  FM?  Additive
    	    synthesis?  Subtractive synthesis?  Distortion (a al Casio)?
    
    -jim

    Those plastic records that show up bound into Keyboard sometimes
    contain an audio ad on the back side.  At least one of them in the
    last year was for the Max.  I'll riffle through my file of discs
    to see if I can find which issue it came from.  If I find it I'll
    give it another listen and tell you what I think Max sounds like.
    
    len.
    

    Ooops!  Forgot to answer all the basic questions on MAX.  It has
    neither a velocity- nor pressure-sensitive keyboard.
    
    Another nice feature (though it may be standard offering with all
    sequencers - I don't know) is that if you store a sequence of notes
    in any or all of its tracks, besides being able to change the 
    relative speed and volume (and, pitch) is that you can substitute
    a timbre without having to re-key the sequence.  Additionally, 
    you can erase (and overdub) on a per-track basis.
    
    Dick

    The MAX demo disk I mentioned was in the February 1985 Keyboard.
    There may have been one more recently, but that's the one I found.
    
    In essence, the MAX is 6 monophonic analog synths packaged together.
    Each synth/voice has one oscillator (yes, only 1, and no "suboctave"
    option apparently), one low pass VCF, 3 (THREE!) ADSRs (but I don't
    know what you can route them to - at least the VCF and VCA, I assume),
    and a VCA.
    
    The sounds on the demo are mostly simulated real instruments, and
    they sound fake.
    
    len.
    

    Thanks for the information, Len.  I'll go off and get a copy of
    Feb.'s Keyboard.  Does the edition have any review, critiques, etc.
    of MAX?
    
    Not being totally familiar with all the terms of trade yet, I'm
    wondering what limitations (if any) having only 1 oscillator
    poses.
    
    What is a "suboctave" option?  Is the lack thereof really limiting?
    
    One last question:  you indicate (emphatically) that MAX has 3
    ADSRs.  Is this goodness?  What (if anything) does this buy me?
    
    Thanks again for your input!

    There's nothing in the Feb issue about Max other than the demo record,
    the MAX demo is on the "flip side".
    
    A single oscillator means you can't get chorus type effects by slightly
    detuning one relative to the other, and you can't put separate
    envelopes on each for weird effects (and some useful effects), or
    mix waveforms (e.g., select a width-modulated pulse for one and
    a sawtooth for the other), making for richer tones.
    
    The lack of a second oscillator is sometimes compensated for by a
    "sub"oscillator, that tracks the main oscillator one octave lower.
    This give some bass/oomph to the sound.
    
    3 ADSRs is unusual.  Most synths have only 2 per voice, many have
    only one.  Having many is a virtue, as you can use them for different
    things and they don't have to envelope in lockstep.  I.e., it's
    not usually the case that the same envelope should be applied to
    BOTH the VCA and the VCF.  My guess is the third ADSR controls the
    VCO's pitch, or maybe the LFO frequency.  (Did I forget to mention
    that each Max voice has its own LFO?  This is unusual too, usually
    all the voices share the same LFO.  Separate LFOs is nice because
    you have the option of them not tracking one another in phase or
    frequency, making for richer sounds.  The only other synth I know
    of with separate LFOs per voice is the Polaris.)
    
    len.