MaxMSP & ICST AmbiEncoder – OSC Communication

  • 2025-03-16
  • 2-minute read

Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (ICST) Zurich University of the Arts

Bidirectional OSC Communication with MaxMSP

For whom: Level: Advanced | Audience: Max/MSP and OSC integrator.

Generate motion data in Max and send it via OSC to the ICST AmbiEncoder in your DAW. Alternatively, transfer a motion composition from your DAW to the icst.ambisonics-externals.

Required Software:

Setup Guide:

1. Configure OSC in ICST AmbiEncoder

  • Open the ICST AmbiEncoder in an FX slot and navigate to Encoder Settings.

  • Under OSC In, activate the OSC input port (e.g., 50001). OSC-IN

  • Click OSC Out and enable the OSC output port.

    • Uses ICST AmbiPlugins Standard XYZ Index.

  • The Max demo patch listens for: '/icst/ambi/sourceindex/xyz'

    OSC-OUT

2. Open MaxMSP and Load the Patch

  • Find the OSC communication with ICST plugins in DAW patch.

See the demo Gifs:

  • Max_Reaper

Next Gif: How it works: Max-AmbiEnc

Sending Absolute Angles (Euler Coordinates)

To send absolute angles using Euler coordinates from MaxMSP to the ICST AmbiEncoder, use the following OSC message format:

/icst/ambi/source/euler [ChannelName] [Yaw] [Pitch] [Roll]
/icst/ambi/source/euler 'S1' 30 15 5

For index-based addressing:

/icst/ambi/sourceindex/euler [ChannelIndex] [Yaw] [Pitch] [Roll]
/icst/ambi/sourceindex/euler 1 30 15 5

Note:

  • Yaw (Azimuth): Horizontal rotation
  • Pitch (Elevation): Vertical tilt
  • Roll: Rotation around the forward axis

©2025 ICST

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