Max for Live Focus: The pATCHES.zone Devices

I recently got a ping from the folks at pATCHES.zone - a website that focuses on educational materials for Ableton Live and audio production, but also includes ‘Groove Packs’, opinionated manifestos and a cool podcast. But what they specifically pointed me toward is a set of fun MFL devices: strum and mt.Sev. These MIDI tools are available from the pATCHES.zone store, are priced modestly (including $0 if you are a little light...), and may open up some new ways to create interesting tracks.

The first of these, strum, is simplicity itself. You begin by playing up to four MIDI notes that get assigned to ‘strings’ on the instrument. Then, using the mod wheel (or the mod strip on a Push device), you ‘strum’ these virtual strings by controlling a cursor-like pick. There are two strumming modes: one where a note is generated when a string is crossed (‘pluck’), and the other where a stream of notes is generated by the location of the pick (‘density’). The first is somewhat minimal, while the second is not - but the results for either can be interesting if the right instrument is used for playback.

There is also a built-in LFO that can auto-strum the instrument, allowing you to focus on changing the notes that are assigned to the strings. This is perhaps the most fun way to play, since an ever-changing note array, combined with the gently strumming device, can easily make an evening disappear. I found myself dialing up a nice bell tone, a huge reverb, a slow LFO and drifting away.

The mt.Sev device is quite different. It’s a generative engine originally developed by Katsuhiro Chiba, and extracted from the built-in synthesizer voicing of the Seb patch. Instead of using that patch, it generates MIDI notes that can be piped into any Live instrument.

You play mt.Sev by setting up note selection banks for four sequence points. You can then start the Live transport, and use the X/Y pad to build up octave location and note density. Since this is a chance-driven device, you won’t be sure exactly what will come out of the thing. When it does produce some notes, they are generally quite pleasant. While this might never do for your next Industrial gig, it is certainly a great way to build a beautiful harmonic palette.

Working with mt.Sev reminded me of using Sseyo Koan ages ago - but with a lot less setup and pain. It is focused on producing a specific sort of relaxed melodies that work well with a nice bell or plucked tone, although using it with more percussive or aggressive sounds can easily give it an edge. Alas, the device was engaging in a way that made it hard to finish this article.

Watch this video to see what I mean:

These two devices, strum and mt.Sev, are great ways to stimulate a different way of thinking about music making, and I found both to be fun and productive. Check them out ! While you are there, take a look at some of the amazing Live tutorials, read some interesting rants and walk away smarter than you went in.