#1

Hi. I’ve got Max, but there are M4L-only patches I’d like to try.

If I get M4L, do I install it alongside Max — and if so, how? Do I change the name of one of the programs?

Thanks.

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#2

You don’t need to change a name. They coexist happily

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#3

It’s actually that same Max you already have, embedded in Ableton (and with separate license)

Differences are:

  • With just the m4l license, you can’t edit Max patches in Max standalone
  • Within m4l, Audio/MIDI Ports are handled by Ableton
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#4

Gotcha. I’ve downloaded M4L from Ableton. When I hit “install” and it transfers to the Applications folder (this is in OS X, I should mention) it queries me: “An item named ‘Max’ already exists in this location. Do you want to replace it with the one you’re moving?” When I “keep both” I now have a “Max” program and a “Max 2” program, which is M4L. That sound about right? (Now I need to go though the process of connecting it to Live, of course.)

#5

Thanks very much. That makes sense. Does that mean you’ve just done away with Max and only work in M4L?

Side note: I thought there were other differences, too, like the ability to output patches as standalone applications (not that I have any intent on doing such a thing at the current time).

#6

One is enough. The only reason would be to run separate versions of Max (say a stable older one and the newest side by side).

Yes indeed. I could even edit “normal” Max patches I think when I open the Max editor via m4l. Not sure how well that would work, not so ideal for testing I guess :slight_smile: I don’t know about standalone apps.

#7

Gotcha. Thanks. Initializing now.

Systems … go!

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#8

This is an older doc, but it highlights a few differences:

https://docs.cycling74.com/max6/dynamic/c74_docs.html#live_limitations

The prominent ones I see are: 1) Changes in the way audio is handled, 2) Inability to create standalones, 3) Changes in pattr

Funnily enough, I never use Max4L and just use Max. Someday I’ll fiddle with Max4L.

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