RNBO for the People!!!

Patch once—run everywhere. In this fast-paced, one-day workshop Sam Tarakajian (Cycling ’74) and R. Luke DuBois (NYU IDM) show how RNBO—the new code-generation language inside Max/MSP—can turn a single patch into:

• a headless synth on Raspberry Pi,
• a browser instrument via WASM + p5.js,
• a polished VST/AU plug-in for any DAW, and
• interactive sound inside Unreal Engine.
  
  

Through live demos and guided labs you’ll build one RNBO patch and push it to every target before the day is out.

For more workshops like this, visit Tandon at The Yard's 2025 Summer Workshops page.

• Max/MSP users ready to go beyond the desktop
• Sound designers & composers needing cross-platform distribution
• Creative coders & game devs seeking custom DSP in Unreal or the browser
  

Familiarity with basic Max patching is helpful; no C++ required.

• Laptop with Max 9 + RNBO installed (free trial okay)
• Raspberry Pi (optional) with SSH enabled & SD card
• DAW of choice for VST testing (Ableton, Logic, Reaper, etc.)
• Latest Chrome/Firefox for WebASM tests
• Three-button mouse or trackpad for patching comfort
  
  

If you have Max/MSP + RNBO installed on your laptop, great. If you don't and still want to participate, write to us (c2FtIHwgY3ljbGluZzc0ICEgY29t; ZHVib2lzIHwgbnl1ICEgZWR1) and we'll try and figure something out.

10:00 – 10:15

Welcome & Goals
Meet the instructors, outline export targets, poll participant experience

10:15 – 11:15

RNBO Fundamentals
What RNBO is, patch anatomy, code-gen pipeline, exporting knobs & params

11:15 – 12:15

Patch Lab: Core Synth
Build a polyphonic patch; test audio in Max; prep for multi-target export

12:15 – 12:30

Morning Break

12:30 – 1:30

Web Export with WASM + p5.js
Generate WASM bundle, embed in HTML, add UI with p5.js, host locally

1:30 – 2:15

Lunch Break

2:15 – 3:15

Embedded Audio on Raspberry Pi
Cross-compile, copy binaries, set up headless auto-run, GPIO trigger ideas

3:15 – 3:30

Afternoon Break

3:30 – 4:30

Plug-Ins & Unreal Integration
Wrap as VST/AU, load in a DAW; generate C++ class for Unreal, blueprint linkage

4:30 – 5:00

Showcase & Closing
Demo exports, Q&A, resource list for deeper dives

Participants will:

1. Design an RNBO patch and understand its DSP graph.
2. Export that patch to WebASM, VST/AU, Raspberry Pi, and Unreal Engine.
3. Automate builds and parameter mapping for each platform.
4. Troubleshoot common compilation, latency, and memory issues.
5. Leave with a working cross-platform instrument—and the know-how to iterate.
   

Sam Tarakajian (@yogaformacbooks) — Brooklyn-based developer at Cycling ’74. Lead engineer on Mira, Node for Max, and RNBO. Creator of the “Delicious Max Tutorial” series, Rhythm Necklace iOS app, and co-founder of CuteLab hardware/performance venue.

R. Luke DuBois (@rlukedubois) — Composer-artist and co-director of NYU Tandon’s Integrated Digital Media program. Long-time Max/MSP developer, media artist, and educator exploring the intersections of data, sound, and visual culture.

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