1. How to install MaxScore
Uninstall any previous version of MaxScore you may have already installed. The uninstaller resides in [your_Max_folder]/Uninstallers/MaxScore.
Important info for Max 8 users: If your old MaxScore package was automatically copied to the Max 8 packages folder, please remove it before installing MaxScore 1.0 and higher.
After downloading the installer, open the file. You will first see a splash screen with the MaxScore logo and a text window informing you about the steps you’re about to take.
Click OK and click the Next button in the installer window underneath.
Accept the license agreement and click on Next.
On the next window, click on the folder icon and navigate to the location of Max folder you want to install MaxScore into.
Max 7 and Live 9:
The best choice for your MaxScore installation is /Users/[your_home_folder]/Documents/Max 7/ (macOS) or C:Users[your_user_name]DocumentsMax 7 (Windows).
Max 8 and Live 10:
The best choice for your MaxScore installation is /Users/[your_home_folder]/Documents/Max 8/ (macOS) or C:Users[your_user_name]DocumentsMax 8 (Windows).
Refer to the Max documentation if you choose to install MaxScore into another Max 7 or Max 8 folder besides the one indicated above. DO NOT create your own Max 7 or Max 8 folders as Max or Live may not be able to find the files if those folders have not been created by the applications themselves when they were first opened.
After clicking Next, decide on the type of installation (Minimal = MaxScore for Max only; Full = MaxScore and LiveScore for Ableton Live).
The installer is now ready to install MaxScore on your computer.
MaxScore and LiveScore users no longer need a JMSL license. For a fuller discussion see Step 3 below!
2. Location of installed files
put files into
-Max resources into a folder called MaxScore in [path_to_Max_folder]>Packages.
-Ableton Live files into a folder called LiveScore in [path_to_Ableton_folder]>User Library.
3. Java / JDK
For correct functioning MaxScore requires Java 1.8. In case you do not have JDK already installed, MaxScore will offer you to run Java installer.
4. Authorization of MaxScore
MaxScore and LiveScore users no longer need a JMSL license. Ignore the following information if you’re not planning to obtain a licence for the reasons laid out below.
Why do we still offer a LiveScore license? Because you may not want to deal with installing a new build every year. Or you might have a piece that is mission critical enough that you want to commit it to a “version freeze.” Or you may want to ensure that MaxScore continues to work independently of our reliance on an annual grant renewal. You may have other reasons. However, you no long have to purchase license to use MaxScore and/or LiveScore!
Authorize MaxScore once you’re done with the installation process. For this, use your old JMSL license or request a new license from www.algomusic.com (the macOS installer will take you there at the end of the installation).
Once you’ve received your license file (a short text file with the .lic extension), locate the file named JMSL_License_installer.jar in the following location inside your Max directory: Packages/MaxScore/License_installer/.
Double click that file and a window will open showing a gray rectangle and instructions to drag your JMSL.lic file into it. This will install your JMSL license. Alternatively open MaxScore Combo from MaxScore Overview (which you’ll find in the Max Extras menu) or the Max New From Template menu, click on Open Editor and open the JMSL License Installer by choosing Authorize MaxScore from the editor’s File menu.
There is no need to install additional software such as the current JMSL release. Once you’re done either open Max and choose MaxScore Template or MaxScore Combo from the Max File New From Template menu or open the set LiveScore Demo.als in Ableton Live.
5. Sounds
The MaxScore/LiveScore Fluidsynth2 and Sampler components come with default sounds, but may require more sounds for playback. A piano bank for the Sampler can be downloaded from here. The Fluidsynth2 playback device supports SoundFonts with the caveat that some .sf2 files may not work on both platforms, Windows or Mac.
6. Troubleshooting
Installations typically fail for three reasons:
- The Max application embedded in Live fails to “see” the installed MaxScore folder. You can check in Live by opening the Max for Live window from the View menu. If you see a bunch of “file not found” messages after starting one of the LiveScore devices, you can assume that something is amiss. In such cases, it helps to download and install an external copy of Max from cycling74.com and to move the MaxScore folder you have installed earlier into the Max 8 or Max 9 folders created by Max itself. For this, make sure to first open the Max application so it can create those folders. You may also realize that Max uses the same folder you created when you installed MaxScore. No further license is needed for Max when installing an external copy.
- Sometimes the Java installation can create problems in Windows. It needs to be Java 8 64-bit version of the JDK. None of the other versions will work. There has been cases where the installation of the JDK wasn’t successful, and the Java 8 64-bit version of the JRE has to be installed on top to make MaxScore and LiveScore work.
- In rare cases on Mac OS with an Apple Silicon processor, Max is set to Open using Rosetta which prevents Java to function properly. On M1 – M4 machines, MaxScore and Java expect Max to run natively with Open using Rosetta turned off.