Audiomulch was one of the first major softwares I used when switching to include computers and it really was, and still is, an amazing tool. I can't say I really ever use it these days but am tempted to use it once again.
For me, as I am sure others will agree, was a great way to get at results quickly, and served as an essential stepping stone between using hardware gear, moving dials and faders, and switching to a slower computer working process.
I also found Max/MSP a little daunting back then, but again not really due to its complexity but more the balance of making music and programming wasn't one I liked. Having said that I persisted with the idea of using Max/MSP and decided to step to Bidule, this serving as another great stepping stone but this time to Max/MSP.
To learn Bidule quickly I arranged a live performance on it, and it wasn't long before switching to use Max/MSP.
For me, it was always about the sound, and although great, both Audiomulch and Bidule had a sort of fuzzy or soft sound to them, which is really great for lots of things, but I wanted something with very clean sound and also something that would push me. It was the typical few years of music being put aside slightly, and learning Max/MSP that took the lead, which was a but of a pain but it paid off, and I could still always quickly great something in other software at the same time, so no major problem.
I have wrote some of my all time favourite tracks using Audiomulch and Bidule, both great tools and worth buying and owning both.
It is a really good way to support someone too, as when I bought Audiomulch, I also emailed Ross with another software idea allowing parameters to sort of bounce between two extremities, something that could now be done easily(ish) in Max/MSP, and although liking my idea, at the time he was living in his car and so could not start any new projects…so just goes to show, do what you can to support these guys.
If you haven't got Audiomulch or Bidule yet, get them both!