RNBO by Cycling74 is a new modular patching environment that turns your Max patches into hardware, VST plugins, and web applications.
One of the most popular modular environments is Max from Cycling74. In this, musicians can build their own instruments, effects, MIDI generators… and use them either standalone or in Ableton Live as a Max For Live device. The platform is especially popular in the experimental/art music scene.
Some universities offer courses where you can learn the platform in detail. For example the ELAK, a course for electroacoustic and experimental music at the university of music and performing arts Vienna. However, as unlimited as the possibilities in Max are, the connection to other worlds is limited. So far, you could only share your creation either as a Max file, device for Max For Live or in a standalone app. But that will now change massively, finally.
Cycling74 RNBO
Cycling74, the developers of Max, has introduced RNBO (rainbow), a new patching environment that blasts open the Max world and connect it to the rest of the music tech scene. It’s not free, but it will be a no-brainer for musicians and developers who want to get their creations out to more people.
The RNBO patching environment was created to export Max patches to other platforms. Something that was previously only possible to Max For Live and standalone Windows/Mac apps. And you don’t have to learn how to code for that. RNBO generates the source code that you can use however you want.
There are a variety of export options available. One of the most exciting is the ability to export to Raspberry Pi, which opens up the world of hardware devices for your Max patches. This allows you to craft your own effects pedals, standalone synths, or even Eurorack module. In this way, “non-coders” can also turn their soft ideas easily into hardware devices.
Software Exports
Then RNBO also expands the software side for Max patch exports. The most important enhancement is the possibility to export patches as VST3 (Mac, Windows, Linux) and AU (Mac). Also a killer feature for Max patch developers. So you can make your developments available to a significantly larger audience. This also means that you can offer your patches more easily commercially.
Further, you can embed your RNBO sound engine into a web app giving musicians the option to create virtual sound installations. And since it’s a simple website, you can share it in seconds. It also brings major news for the coders. The new environment can generate easy-to-integrate C++ source which you can include in other non-max projects.
Besides the option to compile your own self-contained, shareable Max object, it also brings performance and loading time improvements for Max for Live devices promises the developers.
Familiar Environment
RNBO is a completely newly developed environment based on new technology. However, the developers made sure that it has a familiar design and workflow with many known objects and practices from Max. If you’ve used Max before, you’ll be up and running in no time, says Cycling74.
At first glance an excellent release, which Max users and developers will be very happy about. I can imagine that in the future we will see a wave of very experimental plugins based on Max patches. Hello Dillan Bastan, now you can export your brilliant M4L patches to the plugin world.
Cycling74 RNBO is available now as a subscription for $10 per month/$100 per year or as a permanent license for $299 USD.
More information here: Cycing74
What i don’t get, do i need Max for this or is this standalone?
Yes, because RNBO is a modular environment for exporting your MAX patches, not the MAX engine