Re: [microsound] [.microsound] "sound" of max/msp

["jan.l" <ca4@xxxxxxx>]

At 00.40 +0000 01-07-27, nobo jackson wrote:
> I've been troubled by the fact that max/msp seems to have a somewhat 
> distinct sound.

This is not limited to max/msp. Much electroacoustic music from the 
last twelve years bears the obvious sonic imprint of GRM Tools.

One of the reasons may be that these tools are complex to understand 
(in comparison with guitar (or fuzzbox etc.) where the technical 
construction is simple to understand).

I might guess that another reason could be that these tools (and 
things such as soft synths) probably are not implemented 
mathematically correct with respect to dithering & truncation. This 
would require *lots* of DSP power. The result is an accumulation of 
errors (digital distortion) no matter you want it or not. I like to 
blame the flat/cold/bloodless sound on this ;=)

This does not invalidate the use of these tools. They are just 
aspects which have to be mastered by the performer/composer.