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SPECIFICTION
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Kaivo vs Max

Kaivo

madronalabs.com

Max

cycling74.com

Side by side

FigureKaivoMax
Price from—$10/mo
Free plan——
Free trial—Yes
Open source——
WindowsYesYes
macOSYesYes
Plans published13
Spec score · Sound Design Software6.6 (#21)7.9 (#11)
Founded20081997

Plans

Kaivo

  • Kaivo license$129, paid once

Kaivo pricing →

Max

  • Max Subscription$12.99 a month
  • Max Subscription$120 a year
  • Max 9 Permanent License$399, paid once

Max pricing →

In their own words

Kaivo

Kaivo has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.

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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.

Visit cycling74.com