The setup and the execution of the electroacoustic part of this work requires a Computer Music Designer (Max expert).

Version Information

Documentation date
June 4, 2025
Version
Max 9 2025 (ARM)
Status
valid
Validation date
June 12, 2025
Realisation
  • Frédéric Voisin (Computer Music Designer)
  • Tom Mays (Computer Music Designer)
  • Victor Bigand (Computer Music Designer)
Length
15 min
Upgrade motivation
First archiving of the piece and Max 9 revision by Tom Mays.

No other versions

Detailed Staff

cello

Detailed staff comes from Brahms, send mail to ressources-contenus@ircam.fr for correction.

Channel Details

Number of input channels
1
Number of output channels
6

Electronic Equipment List

Audio Equipment

1 KM184
Dynamic Microphones (Neumann)
1 Mixing Console
Mixing Console (generic) - 8 inputs, 6 or 8 outputs
7 Loudspeaker
Loudspeakers (generic) - 6 or 8 loudspeaker + 1 sub
1 Reverberation Processor
Reverberation (generic) - Either numeric or analogic (original : Lexicon 300)
1 DPA 4099
Condenser Microphones (DPA) - Proximity to avoid feedback

Computer Music Equipment

1 Sound Board
Sound Board (generic) - 1 input, 6 outputs
1 Footswitch / Sustain Pedal
Footswitch / Sustain Pedal (generic)
1 MacBook Pro
Apple Laptops (Apple)
1 Max 9
Max (Cycling74)

Downloads

TracesI_2025.dmg

Tom Mays, Frédéric Voisin

comment

Patch & original doc (french)

170.16 Mo

Traces I old patchers

comment

2021, 2015 & 2006 versions

595.54 Mo

Simulations & Recordings

comment

REAPER simulation files & recordings

1.35 Go

Scores

comment

Original & annotated

1.42 Mo


Instructions

Traces I (2004)

Instrumentation

  • Cello solist

Electronics

Real time effects on the cello, triggered by the cello player with a MIDI pedal or automatically by following notes. The triggers are annotated in the score.

Audio Setup

You will have to add a reverb on the cello. Originally, it was an analogic Lexicon 300, but now you may consider using a numeric one in the console.

Diffusion Setup

Two options :

  • 6 speakers for the electronic outputs, and cello outputs as well on speakers 1/2.
  • 8 speakers : 6 for the electronics and two front speakers for the cello.

Patch presentation

Here is a screenshot of the main window of the patch :

You can edit the effects in the "editors" subpatcher :

You can access adc, dac and others in the "patchers" subpatcher :

Patch installation

  1. Download Traces1_2025.dmg.
  2. Copy the folder content on your local drive.
  3. Open Max 9.
  4. Add your local folder to the File Preferences.
  5. Launch Traces1-2004_(v2021-rev2025-Max9).maxpat.

Note : if you want to test your diffusion setup, there is a test_audio1x6.maxpat you can use in the folder.

Initialization Routine

  1. Open Traces1-2004_(v2021-rev2025-Max9).maxpat.
  2. In "midi" section (main patch window), select your MIDI device that receives the pedal. You can test the pedal, the button should light up when pedal is pressed.
  3. Open Audio Setup, check SampleRate = 44100Hz, I/O Vector Size = 256, Signal Vector Size = 256, Overdrive = On.
  4. Press ; initall bang button (green).
  5. Activate DSP.
  6. Press Tab key, you should see "ready" in "event courant".
  7. Now, the show can start, and you can press spacebar to manually trigger events in case of issues.

Updated at

Do you notice a mistake?

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