Max for Live Roundup: 5 Creative Instruments, Effects, Modulators

Expand your arsenal of music creation tools with these five Max for Live devices. This roundup includes instruments, effects, and tools for manipulating audio in creative ways, slicing up loops, creating stunning visual effects, emulating legendary drum sounds, and connecting innovative technologies.

Modulators

K-Devices have developed an excellent set of four Max for Live devices that give you the ability to get deep with manipulating a single target parameter for advanced modulations and control in your Live Set. This set of envelope followers and other device controllers are a perfect addition to your arsenal of tools that presents new possibilities on how you use your instruments and effects. Read more at K-Devices

EXT3

A step-sequenced modulator and envelope generator allowing quick creation of automated patterns and creative modulations. Control the target parameter via steps, creating sequences with controls like swing, time resolution, and time variation. You can also adjust envelopes, set independent lengths for each step, and adjust the smoothness of transitions between these steps.

REF

An envelope follower for modulating any parameter using an audio source. You can band-limit an incoming signal, then shape the output using a host of functions and response parameters.The display offers accurate visual feedback on how the resulting envelope will control your target parameter.

TED

A fully customizable LFO with a comprehensive set of tools for crafting perfectly shaped control signals: six blendable LFO waveforms, advanced waveshaping parameters, cycle repetition controls and more. TED can even output CV/GATE, so can act as a function generator for modular systems.

TIP

A unique grid-based device controller with which you can take up to 64 snapshots of your target device’s entire range of parameters and store them within a cell of TIP’s grid. Then switch between snapshots by designing automations or triggering automatically using random and other definable functions. You can also randomize up to 264 of any device’s parameters in an instant, with the option to exclude volume and dry/wet functions.

Simpler-Tools: Auto Slicer

AZ-LABS developed an extremely easy tool used to cut loops automatically in equally sized slices within Live’s new Simpler device. Ableton Live’s new Simpler has a great transient detection mechanism that automatically cuts your samples into meaningful slices. However, it doesn’t have a feature yet that allows you to chop loops into beat subdivisions. The “Auto Slicer” device does exactly that, giving you the option cut loops into equally sized slices from lengths of 1 bar to 1/32nd. Choose between manually triggering the Auto-Slice function or having the slices adjusted whenever you load a new sample or change the Start or End marker in Simpler. In addition, all functions are MIDI and Key mappable. Read more at AZ-LABS

CS-808

CS-808 by Cluster Sound is a collection of 16 sample-based Max For Live drum instruments that emulates the 16 sound modules available on the iconic TR-808 drum machine. This device comes loaded with more than 4900 samples that are managed by multiple sample selectors, a set of extra features to shape the sounds, a super friendly user interface, and 16 FX Racks to mangle the drums. In addition to the original TR-808 parameters, the 16 drum instruments also come with 16 sound-specific Audio Effect Racks and a set of extra features not present in the original TR-808. Read more at Cluster Sound

Live Video Tools

Developed by Dubspot Instructor Adriano Clemente and Thomas Martinez, Live Video Tools is a creative suite for live music performers looking to create sound responsive visuals. With simplicity in mind, the interface has an intuitive design making it easy to generate captivating visuals that dynamically reacts to your sounds. In only a few short steps, you can quickly import videos, stills, and animated GIFs to perform and manipulate alongside your Ableton Live set. Live Video Tools comes loaded with fully mappable effect controls for manipulating feedback, RGB levels, strobe, saturation, hue, inversion, kaleidoscope, and other modulation parameters to generate interesting effects. For example, you could map a filter frequency control to Live Video Tools Saturation control to create expressive filter sweeps. You can also automate modulation destinations using LFO controls so you can focus more on your live performance. Read more at Live Video Tools

Connection Kit

Connection Kit by Ableton is a set of 11 Max for Live devices that allow you to connect, control, and monitor Live with a range of innovative technologies and communication protocols. Use LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3, Arduino, or littleBits™ to connect up sensors, lights or motors, open your sound world up to the web through JSON-based APIs, or convert OSC data to MIDI data. The list of input and output possibilities for music and sound creation with Live is almost endless. Read more at Ableton

Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program

At Dubspot our world-class instructors provide the most complete and cutting-edge Ableton Live learning experience. The Ableton Live Producer Certificate Program is the flagship of our music training. After completing this program, you will leave with a portfolio of original tracks, a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

About This Program

This program is about learning Ableton Live by going through the entire process of being an artist, by developing your own sound through a series of sketches and experimentation. You will also learn the ins and outs of this powerful software through a series of exercises designed to help you master the steps involved in producing your own music. After a level of getting familiar with the tools that Ableton has to offer, you will then develop your sonic ideas into full-length tracks. You will be exposed to a variety of approaches to arrangement and composition, storytelling techniques, ways of creating tension and drama in your music. At the end of the day, it is the sum total of your choices as an artist that define your sound, and levels 2 – 6 will give you the experience of actually completing tracks to add to your portfolio.