Max specific knowledge
If you're learning the fundamentals of synthesis with BEAP, this may be your first exposure to Max. Beap is a collection of bpatchers that represent familiar synthesis modules that are themselves built out of lower level Max objects. You don't need to know how to use Max in order to use Beap, but there are a few Max-specifc issues you need to be aware of to get started.
The Max Runtime app is a free application that will allow anyone to run Beap patches, this includes changing any parameters. Editing a patch (adding/changing/removing/modules or routing patch cords) requires the full version of Max. Max comes with a free 30-day trial. Educational pricing is available for Max, consult http://cycling74.com for details.
If Max's audio engine is not running, Beap may appear to not be working. If you go to the Options menu and choose Audio Status... you can check the state of the audio engine and turn it on if need be. Most patches are going to require some sort of audio output, and the BEAP>Output>Stereo module includes a button that toggles the audio engine on and off.
Some modules (like Metronomic Pulse, for example) are synced to Max's Global Transport. The Global Transport module can be found in the Master folder.
The primary Max patching window has two modes. This is indicated by a lock icon in the lower right hand corner of the window. An unlocked patcher allows you to edit a patch, add, delete or move modules, and create patch cords. A locked patcher allows you to operate the user interface elements (knobs, sliders, buttons). A patcher window can be locked or unlocked by clicking the lock icon, or by command clicking anywhere in the white space inside a patcher window. Furthermore, inside a locked patcher, you can command click on any user element to manipulate it as if the patcher window were locked.
Assuming Beap is installed in the correct location (inside the Max 6/patches/clippings/ folder), a Beap module can be added by holding down the control key and clicking to invoke Max's contextual menu. Select Paste from... and then navigate to the BEAP folder.
Click on a parameter to put it in focus. Then type in the desired value.
Holding down the option key and dragging a module works as expected, the module is duplicated. Multiple patch cords can be selected using the same option-drag gesture, and multiple patch cords can be moved in one step. (Max 6.0.5 or later)
For fine resolution knob manipulation, hold down the command key.
Shift-select as discontiguous selection works in a consistent manner as all other MacOS applications.
In addition to normal copy/paste functions, Max includes a special 'copy compressed' function, available under the edit menu. This operation combines copy and paste and compression into a single step that flattens a Max (Beap) patch to a text format that can be emailed easily. To retrieve a compressed patch, simply select the text block and paste like normal into a blank Max patcher window. For small patches, this may be faster than saving a patch, zipping the patch file and attaching the file to an email document.
The LPF module (low pass filter) uses the Max lores~ object. This filter does not close all the way down, and resonance does not shut all the way off. This is normal. If this is annoying, use the Ladder filter module.
The sustain segment of the graphic ADSR is indicated as a single point (a white circle). There is no graphical, bar-like extension of the sustain segment that is typically seen in representations of ADSRs.