Real-Time Pitch Memory: Compositional Feedback System Using MaxMSP and OPUSMODUS

This text outlines a specific aspect of a larger project I am developing for live electronics and instruments. Since the work heavily involves live electronic processing in real time, it is based on a MaxMSP patch that I am currently building.

An important component of this system involves integrating OPUSMODUS for certain compositional processes—specifically, the processing of pitch material collected in real time via a pitch follower from an improvising musician.

In MaxMSP, this means that every few seconds, the most recently played pitches (as MIDI note numbers) are saved into a .txt file. Meanwhile, in OPUSMODUS, I run a routine that checks once per second whether a new pitch list has been saved (i.e., a list that differs from the previous one). If a new list is detected, I generate an OMN sequence based on this list and export it as a MIDI file.

Only ten MIDI files are generated and continuously overwritten in a rotating manner. These MIDI files can then be precisely triggered within MaxMSP (e.g., when a specific pitch is detected, a stored MIDI file is played back) and integrated into the live electronic performance.

Essentially, the system acts as a memory/archive that is generated from the live improvisation of the performer. Through a specific grammar created in OPUSMODUS, this musical material can then be re-injected into the live setting, forming a loop between improvisation, analysis, and compositional feedback.

Another development step would be to replace the current .txt-based communication with a direct OSC (Open Sound Control) connection, streamlining the entire process.

could sound like this: electric feedbacker guitar (live and improvised) + this system (in a test setup)

That idea is really brilliant!! Thanks for sharing !!

just one more really messy sketch: you could "re-import" the OPMO-generated score (via midi) to MaxMSP (bach.roll -> bach.score).the notes you see are coming from the right channel – just a bunch of random pitches… nothing serious, but it shows a possible idea