Cycling '74 is a software company that develops and supports the Max visual programming environment and related technologies. Max was originally developed at IRCAM in Paris by Miller Puckette in the mid 1980s as a control program for digital music. It was first commercially released by Opcode Systems in 1991. Cycling '74 founder and CEO David Zicarelli has worked on Max since 1989. The company's first product was MSP a set of modular audio tools for Max released in 1997. In 1999, the company acquired the rights to Max and has continually developed the environment since that time. In 2002, Cycling '74 released Jitter, a modular set of tools for video and matrix data processing designed by Joshua Kit Clayton. The company now sells Max, MSP, and Jitter as a bundled suite of multi-media development tools. Max, MSP, and Jitter are used by innovative performers and artists worldwide, and are taught in academic programs in music and media art at hundreds of universities.
In addition to developing the Max environment for others to use, Cycling '74 has created its own Max-based software, which it releases in the form of audio plug-ins and applications. The first product created with Max was the plug-in package Pluggo, which now comprises over 100 creative plug-ins compatible with a wide variety of audio applications. Following on the success of Pluggo, the company released the Mode and Hipno packages. Radial, a unique loop-based performance environment by jhno developed entirely in Max was released in 2003.
Starting in 2001, Cycling '74 has been releasing music and multi-media works developed with its software on its c74 label, and has released four DVDs of audio source material on its Cycles imprint.
The company sells its products primarily through its web site and a network of international distributors and dealers. It also distributes hardware products compatible with its software in the United States. Companies represented include Eroktronix, JazzMutant, Ms. Pinky, MakingThings, La Kitchen, and Eowave.
In addition to developing unique software, the company has tried to maintain a unique culture of decentralized collaboration. Cycling '74's headquarters is located in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco, while its employees are spread across fifteen different cities in the US, Canada, France, and Germany. More information about the company's products can be obtained on its web site, www.cycling74.com, which also features informational resources for the Max user community.
MaxMSP
Jitter
Pluggo
Mode
Hipno
Upmix
Octirama
M
Radial
Cyclops
Soundflower
