Bidule vs Max
Bidule
plogue.comMax
cycling74.comSide by side
| Figure | Bidule | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $10/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 3 |
| Spec score · Sound Design Software | 8.4 (#5) | 7.9 (#11) |
| Founded | 2000 | 1997 |
| Purpose | Bidule is a cross-platform modular audio application for connecting audio modules to create instruments and effects. | Max is an interactive visual patching environment for musicians, artists, and people prototyping their own software. |
| Support | Plogue provides a Bidule user guide and a forum with more than 52,000 posts and more than 5,000 registered members. | Cycling '74's support team is listed as online Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern Time. |
| Trial | The current Bidule standalone trial period has ended, and Plogue says a new trial will be available when a new version is released. | The 30-day trial unlocks Max's features, allowing users to open, edit, save, and create without restriction. |
Plans
Max
- Max Subscription$12.99 a month
- Max Subscription$120 a year
- Max 9 Permanent License$399, paid once
In their own words
Bidule
Bidule is a modular audio application for connecting modules to build instruments and effects. It runs as a standalone app on Windows and macOS and can also operate as a plug-in in compatible hosts. FFT modules split audio into frequencies and magnitudes for spectral processing. Bidule can play and record multichannel audio files with up to 64 channels and render ambisonic files offline. Users can save module collections as reusable groups, and free community groups are available through the in-app catalogue. MIDI devices can control mapped internal module parameters when connected to the graph. Its OSC server can control linked parameters, start processing, or open a .bidule file. Listed plug-in formats are VST2, VST3, and AU. The one-time price is 95.00 USD, and a fully functioning demo is available. However, the current standalone trial period has ended; Plogue says a new trial will be available with a new version. Plug-in versions are limited to registered users and require the standalone version to be installed and registered first.
Max
Max is an interactive visual patching environment for musicians, artists, and people prototyping software. It runs on macOS and Windows as a standalone app, supports sample import, and works with Audio Unit, VST, VST3, and AMXD formats. Users can build synthesizers, manipulate samples, and create layered multichannel sound with MC objects. Jitter adds expandable video and graphics tools for realtime audiovisual work. Max connects to development boards and accesses sensors, knobs, and switches for interaction prototypes. Gen creates audio, matrix, or texture processes and can output source code for use elsewhere. Package Manager offers over 50 add-ons, including Novation, Monome, and ROLI support. Extensions can be written in C++, NodeJS, Java, or JavaScript. Cycling '74 develops Max for Live with Ableton, and Max 9 adds sound-processing objects based on Ableton's audio library. The 30-day trial unlocks all features without restrictions on opening, editing, saving, or creating.