Csound vs Max
Csound
csound.comMax
cycling74.comSide by side
| Figure | Csound | Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $10/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Sound Design Software | 8.9 (#1) | 7.9 (#11) |
| Founded | 1985 | 1997 |
| Integrations | The maker links Csound frontends Cabbage, CsoundQt, and Blue, and provides wrappers or interfaces for JavaScript, Python, Unity, Android, and iOS. | Max's Package Manager offers over 50 add-ons, including support for Novation, Monome, and ROLI hardware controllers. |
| Platforms | The maker says Csound works on desktop, mobile, embedded, server, and web platforms. | The download page lists macOS 11.0 or later on Intel and Apple Silicon, and Windows 10 version 22H2 or Windows 11 version 22H2 or later. |
| Support | The maker lists user and developer mailing lists, a forum, Discord, Slack, and Stack Overflow as places to get help. | Cycling '74's support team is listed as online Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern Time. |
Plans
Max
- Max Subscription$12.99 a month
- Max Subscription$120 a year
- Max 9 Permanent License$399, paid once
In their own words
Csound
Csound is a free sound and music computing system for creating music software and making music. Its uses include electroacoustic works, algorithmic jam sessions, app development, and game audio projects. The programming system offers more than 1,500 opcodes and supports traditional and functional syntax. Getting-started material demonstrates MIDI keyboard input, real-time audio input, synthesis, envelopes, and filtering. Csound code can run in a browser through the Csound Web IDE or be explored interactively in the FLOSS Manual without installing Csound. The project links frontends including Cabbage, CsoundQt, and Blue, plus wrappers or interfaces for JavaScript, Python, Unity, Android, and iOS. Downloads or packages are listed for Windows, macOS, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Android, and Web Assembly. An iOS SDK is also linked, and the latest Csound 7 beta installers for iOS are available through the relevant GitHub Actions page. The download page notes that Apple or Windows may warn that Csound is not trusted because the project cannot pay their licensing costs. Support channels include mailing lists, a forum, Discord, Slack, and Stack Overflow.
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.