At the intersection of music, technology, and creativity, the Oblique Strategies 1.0 by RemoDeVico, a Max for Live device, materializes as a unique instrument for Ableton Live. Inspired by Brian Eno's pioneering Oblique Strategies card deck, Oblique Strategies 1.0 serves as a metaphysical guide for musicians aiming to boost their creativity in the digital realm.
In 1975, Eno and avant-garde artist Peter Schmidt designed the first Oblique Strategies deck - a set of written prompts meant to challenge conventional thinking and catalyze artistic breakthroughs. Now, that same spirit of lateral thinking has been encapsulated into Oblique Strategies 1.0, aiming to stimulate ingenuity in Ableton Live users. This device outputs an array of thought-provoking aphorisms designed to tease the musician out of artistic deadlock and encourage new, creative conclusions.
Simplicity is the virtue of Oblique Strategies 1.0. The interface is streamlined and intuitive, enabling users to instantly access the wisdom concealed within the device. Artists can retrieve a new strategy or aphorism with a single click, each one aiming to unlock different areas of creativity. From cryptic prompts like 'Accept advice' to the more direct 'Try faking it!', these strategies are as varied as they are inspiring.
Digging further into the detailed specs of this Max for Live device, Oblique Strategies 1.0 was built on Ableton Live 10.1 and Max version 8.0.4. Since its release on RemoDeVico's official website on September 26, 2024, it has not yet received any subsequent updates.
Despite its recent arrival, Oblique Strategies 1.0's potential to redefine creative methods should not be overlooked. As a novelty in the Max for Live repository, it proposes an innovative approach to electronic music production - using aleatory guidance to generate baffling artistic collisions within the Ableton Live environment.
The catch? There isn't one. Oblique Strategies 1.0 is available for free download, aligning with the open source philosophy that drives the Max for Live community. But while the device itself comes without a price tag, users are encouraged to demonstrate their support for RemoDeVico's innovative creation. Showcasing appreciation can take various forms - from subscribing to his YouTube channel, following his Spotify profile, or even making a charitable donation. Musicians eager to delve further into RemoDeVico's repertoire can find more of his innovative creations on his official Bandcamp page.
Here's the direct link to Oblique Strategies 1.0 on Max for Live's library: https://maxforlive.com/library/device/11138/oblique-strategies. Download this intriguing instrument today and let Brian Eno's thought-provoking philosophies guide you through uncharted creative territories. Dare to challenge your conventional workflow and embrace the unexpected musical happenings that Oblique Strategies 1.0 delivers.
Example Usage
Let's begin a new Ableton Live Project and explore how to utilize the Oblique Strategies 1.0 Max4Live device to inspire creativity in your music-making process:
- First, download the Oblique Strategies 1.0 Max4Live device from the provided website and install it in Ableton Live. Ensure you're running at least Live 10.1 and Max 8.0.4, as these are the versions used to create the device.
- Open Ableton Live and drag the Oblique Strategies Max4Live device onto a new MIDI track.
- Create an empty MIDI clip on this track. This will be our canvas for applying the creative prompts provided by the device.
- Click on the Oblique Strategies device to open its interface. You'll see a button labeled 'Draw Card' – clicking this will generate a new creative strategy, emulating the experience of drawing a card from Eno's original deck.
- Press 'Draw Card'. Let's say the card reads, “Use an element of randomness in your next section.” We'll take this as a gentle nudge to introduce stochastic elements into our music.
- To incorporate randomness, go to the MIDI effects section and drag an ‘Arpeggiator’ followed by a ‘Random’ MIDI effect in front of the Oblique Strategies device on the same track.
- Set the 'Chance' parameter in the 'Random' MIDI effect to 50% to add unpredictability to your MIDI notes.
- Record a simple chord progression into the MIDI clip you created.
- Play back the clip. You'll hear the arpeggiator interpreting your chords and the random device occasionally altering the pitch of some notes, creating a brand-new pattern that you might not have thought of yourself.
- Use the suggestions from the Oblique Strategies device as creative prompts throughout your composition process. Whenever you feel stuck, draw a new card and let the proposed strategy guide your next move.
Remember, the main goal of using the Oblique Strategies device is to stimulate creativity and to encourage new ways of thinking. There's no right or wrong way to use these prompts—let them open your mind to the endless possibilities within your music.
Today we’ll be exploring a creative approach to MIDI composition using the Oblique Strategies 1.0, a Max4Live device inspired by the ingenious card deck developed by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt. This device serves as a catalyst for triggering new ideas within your music-making process by offering randomized aphorisms that prompt lateral thinking and experimentation.
Imagine you've hit a creative standstill while crafting a chord progression for a new electronic track in Ableton Live. The foundation is there, but you're seeking something to elevate the progressions’ emotional impact. This is where Oblique Strategies 1.0 comes into play.
Let’s walk through an intermediate-level application of using Oblique Strategies 1.0 within a session:
- Set the stage by preparing your MIDI track with a chord progression using your favorite synth patch in Ableton Live. It should be looped and playing back so you have a real-time canvas for your creative experimentations.
- Load the Oblique Strategies 1.0 device onto a new MIDI track. As this device doesn’t generate audio, its placement on the track is solely for ease of use and accessibility.
- Click on the Oblique Strategies device to reveal a trigger button labeled "draw." Pressing this button will display a new strategy or aphorism randomly chosen from the card deck emulation.
- You draw a card that reads “Emphasize repetitions.” With this guidance, adjust your chord progression to include a specific rhythmic or melodic motif that repeats more frequently or prominently. Maybe it's a repeating high note that adds a hypnotic quality to the progression or a pulsing bass note that gives the progression a grounding rhythm.
- Listen back to your adjusted progression and evaluate the changes. If it doesn’t quite fit, draw another card. Suppose your new strategy says, “Work at a different speed.” You could interpret this by varying the tempo of your MIDI clip, either by stretching the MIDI notes for a dreamier, slower feel or compressing them for a faster, more urgent energy.
By integrating Oblique Strategies into your workflow, you embrace a world of serendipitous creativity that can lead to a breakthrough in your music production. Remember, the goal here is not to blindly follow the instructions, but to let them guide your intuition, pushing you into unfamiliar territory and uncovering unique musical expressions. Keep an open mind, and allow the Oblique Strategies 1.0 device to unveil new horizons in your Ableton Live session.
Further Thoughts
In this exercise, we'll explore a creative process inspired by Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies, using the Oblique Strategies 1.0 Max4Live device by RemoDeVico to inject spontaneity and innovative thinking into our Ableton Live session. We'll set the stage for an ambient track wherein each decision is guided by the aphoristic wisdom encoded within the Oblique Strategies Max4Live device, mirroring Eno's own methodology for circumventing creative blockages.
Step 1: Setting Up The Creative Environment Begin by opening a new Ableton Live Set and loading the Oblique Strategies 1.0 device onto a MIDI Track. Ensure the track is armed for recording, with no other instruments loaded. Your DAW environment will not only be your canvas but also your catalyst for creativity.
Step 2: Generate Your Initial Oblique Strategy Click on the device's 'Next' button to reveal your first strategy. Let's say it reads "Honor thy error as a hidden intention." In response, record a short improvisation using your MIDI controller. Any 'mistakes' you make while playing should be embraced and serve as the foundational motif of your composition.
Step 3: Develop The Texture Create a new audio track and route the MIDI track to it. Add some audio effects—perhaps a reverb and a delay—to create a lush ambient soundscape, using the initial MIDI improvisation as a source. Manipulate the effects parameters until you feel the texture honors your mistakes beautifully.
Step 4: Introduce Rhythmic Elements With A Twist To add rhythm, load a drum machine or software instrument on a fresh MIDI track. Instead of programming a beat yourself, activate the Oblique Strategies device again. You may get "Use 'unqualified' people." Use this prompt to delegate drum programming to a random number generator or a non-musician friend, embracing the unpredictable outcomes.
Step 5: Elaboration Through Iteration Build upon your track by adding new elements (bass lines, melodies, harmonies) and use Oblique Strategies for each addition. Perhaps you receive the prompt "Work at a different speed." You could interpret this by creating a melody in triplets over the otherwise straight rhythm or by manipulating the track's tempo in real-time.
Step 6: Refine The Composition With the core elements in place, refine your track. Each time you feel uncertain about a decision, consult the Oblique Strategies device. If it says "Make a sudden, destructive unpredictable action; incorporate," you might reverse a sample or abruptly change the song's key signature.
Step 7: Final Thoughts and Mixing As you mix, continue using the device to guide your decisions. Maybe it advises to "Balance the consistency principle with the inconsistency principle," prompting you to create a contrast between varied dynamics and harmonic structure.
Step 8: Conclusion and Performance To conclude, you perform the piece live or render it for playback, embracing all the aleatory moments that the Oblique Strategies device has guided you toward.
By using Oblique Strategies 1.0, you not only pay homage to Brian Eno's legacy but also push the boundaries of your music-making process, allowing chance and external input to break creative barriers and lead you to potentially groundbreaking results.