The LFO 2.1 for Ableton Live

A lot of things has begun with this device.

Here is a new version popped out here : http://designthemedia.com/lfo

Ableton has probably changed something related to the signal process from Max for Live, and I guess they did it for some reasons totally honorable.
But it makes some devices behave strangely. Usually, side effects appear like that.

Especially, my LFO did.

I fixed it.

If you already bought it, you only have to go to the LFO page and grab the new one.

I hope you’ll enjoy it.

Oh .. another thing: it is now provided in 2 versions, MIDI FX & AUDIO FX.
I had a lot of requests of people wanting to use it sometimes in AUdio tracks sometimes in MIDI tracks..
It is now possible, just drag’n'drop the good one (the audio one is called 2.1a when the midi one is called 2.1)

Designing my granulator machine

Granular synthesis is fascinating.

It is basically based on the sampling technic, but with a very unconditional feature.

AVAILABLE HERE ! 

Here are 2 samples coming that sound blender named THE GRANULIZATOR.

To understand the granular synthesis, you have to get that.
Take a sample.
Play a little slice, then another one.
Change the order of playing, size the slices differently & dynamically, add a bit of noise (randomness) in the play making the playing window moving a bit around a global controlled and moving value…
The slice is named the grain.

The name of synthesis is important here: indeed, there is a literally synthesized new output coming from the sample named here : the source.

Then, we can add some interesting features at a macro level (the global parameters like the manner the playing window moves) or at a very micro level (the grains themselves)

Here are some links about this field:
- http://granularsynthesis.com (nice portal)
- http://ftwem.com/forums/techniques/granular-synthesis-and-microsound-primer (nice forum post)
- http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec05/articles/granularworkshop.htm (VERY nice article by SoS)

I’ll release finally this new synthesis tool asap on designthemedia.com
I could also port it to … iOS. I’d love. Granular synthesis, especially if it involves a huge number of voices/grains, is a bit hardcore for the chip/cpu. It means I have to experiment a bit.
Of course, it will be possible. Some people already did it (with more or less success, I have to confess)

Stay Tuned!

The Protoclidean sequencer for Ableton Live

Announcing the next sequencer for Ableton Live. Based on euclidean algorithm, it offers a very nice & flexible way to distribute your notes in a time interval.

It will be available very soon at http://designthemedia.com/theprotoclidean 

I enjoyed to design it because I tried to use the sketch javascript object inside JSUI Max6 object.
This is a very nice way to embed UI + engine inside something that is … very fast.

I hope you’ll like this new unusual sequencer.
As you already know, I don’t like boring usual stuff.

Break the line, go where noone waits for you then become unique!

Maybe the next sequencer…

Those who have followed that lead know already I’m working on (amongst many things) an euclidean sequencer.
As many know, I already worked and currently proposing alternative sequencers for you all bored by straight sequences.

Especially, people seems to like a lot :
- The MatriX
- The Uncanny Sequencer

Here is a little view, totally unfinished view of the jsui object in max6 containing the whole javascript engine inspired by basic algorithms and a research text (The Euclidean Algorithm Generates Traditional Musical Rhythms ; Godfried Toussaint, School of Computer Science, McGill University, Montreal,  Quebec,  Canada)

Basically, euclidean algorithm solves a classical problem: how to distribute the most evenly possible x object into y slots ?
It involves to divide integers etc etc. (feel free to ask more in comments)

This sequencer engine is a new experiment for me.
It is based on a basic concept:
- the UI is made of classical UI elements + a JSUI providing a visualization but driving the engine too (all in one!)
- the sequences are fired from the JSUI engine into a seq~ object (event-driven sequencer object in Max)
- the seq~ is triggered by a phasor object locked on the Ableton Live transport

Seems efficient enough to be proposed to Design the Media, I mean, to be proposed to you.

LFO 2.0 for Ableton Live

UPDATE: just featured by SYNTHTOPIA (many thanks)

After one year, I just worked and upgraded the famous LFO for Ableton Live.
It was the first real LFO officially supported (by us) for Ableton Live and it has a been liked & used by a lot of people.

If you already bought the LFO 1.x, it will be FREE for you so I suggest to go there if you didn’t buy it yet.

It will be  available here: http://designthemedia.com/lfo

With LFO 2.0, you can modulate each parameters of your liveset in real time.
You only have to drop it in a MIDI track, click on a button then click on the parameter you want to modulate and it works.
You can use built-in waveforms or even draw your custom one.
You can use the LFO 2.0 synced with the Live’s transport, or totally free by setting up the frequency.

Features :
- modulation of ALL parameters including tracks’ mixers (volume, panning, sends)
- free or synced to transport
- classic & raw waveforms (sine, ramp up, ramp down, saw, square, noise)
- custom waveform available with the whiteboard to draw it with your mouse
- presets & liveset friendly (all is saved with your liveset including the custom waveform)
- undo history safe
- LFO can control LFO to produce rich and complex modulations
- MIDI thru compliant (you can use it directly in your MIDI instrument track)
- GUI remixed
- all LFO2.0 parameters auto mappable to APC40

Requirements :
- Ableton Live 8.2.x
- Max for Live

The Drone 1.21 released

I just dropped a new version of The Drone Machine, now with automapping correct order for all knobs/dials.

If you already bought it, you can grab it for free as all minor versions.
Go there !

My video generator architecture

As described in a previous post about the fact I love to design minimalistic elements, I’m currently designing my video generator.
I need it since .. around 3 years and I already discussed about that here and there.

The more I play, the more I need it
For me, making music equals designing music.
The process includes algorithms & coding, sometimes.
Generative sequence (made for instance with my 2 own sequencers, including The MatriX sequencer) & generative video can coexist very well. Especially, I feel well with them.

It wouldn’t replace a VJ.
By writing that, I didn’t write it will be worse than a VJ, and no more it will be better than a VJ.
It just will be a special entity by itself, built to react and to inspire me while I’ll perform live.
It will also be a nice way to produce visuals for you if you are in front of me, not watching my screen, drinking something, wanting to see more visuals stuff.

OSC can be use internal or external on a network.
OSC is Open Sound Control.

I’ll deliver more later of course because I want to provide the Video Generator part.
Following some (very light, voluntarily) requirements, you’ll be able to build your own modules by programming (coding) and to use them with the video generator.

Stay tuned…

Designing minimal elements

Dear followers & friends,
I cannot tease too much, but a bit.
The word bit is important.
It defines “the smallest element in the digital world” named Binary digIT.

I love elementary structures, because Continue reading »

The MatriX even plays ambient music

Using a very low global  rate as explained in the video, you can even generate soundscapes & ambient sequences.
Here, I’m triggering only one machine: the powerful ABSYNTH uncanny synthesizer by Native Instruments.

Do you like it ?

Tell me by commenting.