As music producers, we're constantly searching for tools that provide both authentic tonal quality and dynamic modulation options. One such tool that's recently caught my attention is the "ClaMaSmallCh 1.0" by Mcl. This Ableton Live-compatible Max4Live device is a diligently-crafted digital interpretation of Electro Harmonix's beloved Small Clone Chorus. However, with its enhanced toolset, it takes this classic audio effect pedal into the era of digital music making.
Much in the same vein as the original Small Clone Chorus, the ClaMaSmallCh 1.0 offers a faithful rendition of the classic Depth and Rate controls that have shaped countless memorable sonic landscapes. But the device's brilliance truly reveals itself through its thoughtfully-expanded capabilities that push the boundaries of what a traditional chorus effect can provide.
An outstanding new feature added by Mcl is the "Mix" knob. This manipulation tool provides you with the ability to seamlessly blend the dry and wet signals, enabling you to finetune the degree of chorus effect in your music. This offers a fantastic level of versatility in creating both subtle and pronounced effects, a must for any modern digital producer aiming to have full control over their sound.
The addition of the "Stereo" knob is another nuance to the concept of a traditional chorus pedal. It allows you to control the stereo width of the output, infusing an expansive panoramic aspect to your sound design. This feature, combined with the Mix knob, yields a limitless playground of vast, immersive soundscapes.
Perhaps the most intriguing modification is the "Age" knob. This tool subtly modifies the tonal character of the output, mimicking the natural aging process of vintage hardware. This offers an extra layer of textural diversity, allowing you to replicate an array of time-altered tonalities, from the pristine to the pleasantly weathered.
Simply put, the ClaMaSmallCh 1.0 is not just emulating the Electro Harmonix Small Clone Chorus: it's enhancing it, redesigning it, and reimagining it for our digital age. As of its addition date on April 18th, 2025, it stands as an impressive companion tool for Ableton Live, unlocking a novel dimension of classic chorus manipulation, and pushing the boundaries of sonic possibilities.
In this realm of audio manipulation, Mcl’s ClaMaSmallCh 1.0 for Ableton Live stands out due to both its homage to the past and its embrace of the future. For those interested in exploring this rich, multifaceted chorus device, it's available for download on the Mcl official website, mcl93.gumroad.com.
In conclusion, within the ever-evolving landscape of digital music creation, developments such as the ClaMaSmallCh 1.0 ensures we can continue to experiment, innovate, and most importantly, create. Tools like this, laying the foundations for new creative frontiers, encourage us to rejuvenate the established norms and breathe fresh life into music making. And so, the affirmation stands that while we honor and value our past, in the realm of music technology, the future is indeed now.
For further information about the ClaMaSmallCh 1.0 and to download, please visit maxforlive.com/library/device/12371/clamasmallch.
Example Usage
To get started with the ClaMaSmallCh 1.0 in Ableton Live, let's walk through a simple scenario. Suppose you're working on a mellow indie track and you want to add some depth to your rhythm guitar. The ClaMaSmallCh is perfect for this, as it emulates the lush, warm sounds of a classic chorus pedal but with added digital flexibility.
Firstly, drag and drop the ClaMaSmallCh from your Max4Live Audio Effects onto your guitar track. You'll immediately notice five controls on the device: Mix, Stereo, Age, Depth, and Rate. These controls offer both traditional and expanded modulation options that can truly transform your track.
- Mix: Start by adjusting the Mix knob to about 50%. This setting blends the dry signal with the processed signal, ensuring that you maintain the original integrity of your track while integrating the chorus effect.
- Depth and Rate: For a subtle and smooth chorus effect, set Depth to around 4 and Rate to approximately 0.5 Hz. Depth controls the intensity of the modulation while Rate adjusts how fast the modulation cycles. This combination will give your guitar a nice, undulating texture that's not too overpowering.
- Stereo: To widen your guitar's presence in the mix, tweak the Stereo knob to around 70%. This control increases the stereo image, simulating how a real analog chorus spreads audio across the stereo field, making your guitar sound larger and more immersive.
- Age: Finally, experiment with the Age knob. Moving it towards the right will simulate an older, more vintage tone, which might add a layer of nostalgia to your track. Set it at around 30% for a hint of the retro character without sacrificing clarity.
Play back your session and listen to how the chorus effect enhances your guitar track. With these settings, the ClaMaSmallCh provides a comfortable and inviting chorus sound that's just right for an indie vibe. Remember, these are just starting points—you can always tweak them further to fit the unique feel of your music. Enjoy experimenting with the remarkable powers of this modern, Max4Live take on a classic analog chorus!
To create a lush, swirling chorus effect that evokes the essence of the classic Small Clone while adding modern versatility, you'll want to delve into ClaMaSmallCh's expanded control set within Ableton Live. This intermediate-level exploration will help you craft an engaging, dynamic sound.
First, insert ClaMaSmallCh onto your desired audio track. This could be a guitar, synth pad, or even a vocal track to add a rich, modulated texture. Start by setting the Mix knob to around 50%, ensuring that your dry signal is balanced with the processed chorus effect.
Next, adjust the Rate knob to set the modulation speed. A setting around 3 Hz will give a traditional, vibrant chorus effect, reminiscent of vintage Small Clone tones. Increase the Depth control to about 70% to allow the chorusing effect to sweep broadly across the frequency spectrum. This setting will create an enveloping sound characteristic of classic analog chorus units.
To inject some stereo width, increase the Stereo knob to around 75%. This setting will spread the chorus effect across the stereo field, providing a modern twist that fills out the mix beautifully and creates a sense of space around your audio source.
For an additional layer of character, turn the Age knob to around 40%. This subtly ages the chorus effect, introducing a nuanced coloration that mimics the wear of vintage hardware. It will add a slight warmth and texture to the modulation, giving life and authenticity to your sound.
Finally, as you experiment with ClaMaSmallCh, automate the Rate and Depth controls using Ableton Live's automation lanes. Create dynamic shifts in the chorus effect over time—slowly increasing the rate during a verse for a more subtle effect and then expanding it during a chorus for maximum impact. This technique keeps the modulation dynamic and engaging, elevating your track with a rich chorus experience that blends vintage and contemporary elements seamlessly.
By using ClaMaSmallCh in this manner, you'll harness the nostalgic charm of the Small Clone while leveraging the expanded creative potential of digital production tools.
Further Thoughts
To illustrate the creative potential of ClaMaSmallCh 1.0 and how it can elevate your tracks with a modern twist on the classic Small Clone Chorus, let’s dive into an advanced usage example that maximizes the device’s capabilities.
One of the standout features of ClaMaSmallCh 1.0 is its added control knobs: Mix, Stereo, and Age, offering expanded functionality beyond the original pedal. Imagine you’re working on a lush, ambient track and want to inject a sense of space and movement into your lead synth to create a more immersive experience.
Start by dropping ClaMaSmallCh onto the track featuring your lead synth. To achieve a dreamy, expansive chorus effect, set the Mix knob at around 70%. This allows the wet, chorused signal to prominently blend with the dry signal, enhancing depth without overwhelming the original tone. Next, adjust the Depth control toward the higher end, around 80-90%, to exaggerate the modulation's intensity, enveloping the synth with richly swirling sounds.
Now, take advantage of the device's Stereo knob to widen the stereo field. For a dramatic stereo effect, set the knob at 100%, which splits the signal beautifully across the stereo spectrum, enveloping the listener in a wide, spacious soundscape. This adjustment works wonders in headphone listening and can really open up your mix in a live setting.
The Age knob introduces a subtle, vintage character by simulating the circuitry aging effects on the tone. Turn this to around 40% to introduce a warm, analog-like vibe, reminiscent of an aged classic unit, without losing too much high-end clarity that keeps the synth voice present and vibrant in the mix.
As a final touch, automate the Rate control to create evolving modulation over time. A gentle sweep from a slower rate to a faster rate across a four-bar phrase can introduce movement, ensuring the chorus effect is dynamic and engaging throughout the performance. Pair this with automation on the Age control, slowly increasing it over long passages during breakdown sections to bring a hauntingly nostalgic tone right before a climax in your arrangement.
By creatively using the added features of the ClaMaSmallCh 1.0, you can transform a basic chorus effect into a dynamic, multi-dimensional sound, offering modern enhancements to a classic effect, perfectly tailored for contemporary electronic compositions. This technique not only highlights the device’s flexibility but also underscores the sophisticated audio manipulation achievable in Ableton Live through Max4Live devices.