sonus, an open-source Max/MSP package for sound experimentation and algorithmic composition
Abstract
This paper introduces sonus, an open-source Max/MSP package comprising a collection of C++ externals developed with Cycling ’74 Min-DevKit. The package is designed to support practices in algorithmic and AI-assisted composition, experimental sound synthesis and creative sound design. Its objects are organised into four categories: generators, including various kinds of oscillators and modulation sources; effects and sample manipulation, implementing real-time effects and offline processing of audio buffers; neural networks and AI, featuring implementations of some autonomous generative systems; math and utilities, providing functions to ease common computational tasks. The package also includes a set of Max for Live devices that demonstrate practical integrations of selected externals in compositional workflows. sonus is released under the MIT license and publicly available on GitHub.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Music Technology and Sound Studies
Sound Studies and Aurality
Music and Audio Processing
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
- Publication date
- 10 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Preprint