The MIDIMUSE 1.1, conceived by bubbleandsquawk, is a Max4Live MIDI Effect device that draws inspiration from the Triadex Muse. This idiosyncratic sequencer, created in 1969, was once a significant touchstone in music history due to its one-of-a-kind sequencing possibilities. The modern rendition of this emblematic piece of technology brilliantly marries the past with the present, building a bridge between old school synthesis and current digital possibilities.
The original Triadex Muse was encapsulated in its simplicity - it produced solid square wave sounds that still resonate with our nostalgia. The MIDIMUSE upgrades this ethos by converting the square waves into MIDI note data. This opens up a vast new world of possibilities, as it can function as a sequencer for any instrument or VST within the Ableton Live environment.
One of the main enhancements of the MIDIMUSE 1.1 compared to the legacy hardware is synchronisation. The original Muse was independent of any clock, running on its own and away from external influences, while the MIDIMUSE integrates flawlessly with Live's clock. This can lead to a multitude of compositions varying from whole notes to intricate 32nd note patterns. This level of precision aligns it with the modularity and flexibility that modern electronic music production demands.
Furthermore, there is an intriguing feature: the ability to reverse the sequence's course. Simply flip the binary counter's direction to "-" and, voila, your MIDI pattern plays backward. Whether you're crafting a simple ascending scale or programming more complex melodic designs, this retrograde function invites you to experiment, to tessellate musical puzzles.
To add to its versatility, MIDIMUSE 1.1 features a quantizer with 14 selectable scale types. Whichever musical key you're working in, this device ensures that your sequences stay harmonically aligned. This tool is especially useful when working with microtonal or exotic scales - something unlikely imagined on the original Muse but wholly probabilisable on MIDIMUSE 1.1.
The one thing that remains unchanged is the anticipation of what's to come - a manual is still forthcoming. The creator recommends using the original 1969 Muse programming guide for now as a sort of time-traveling teacher. The instruction guide can be found here (https://till.com/articles/muse/TriadexMuseProgrammingManual.pdf) for those who are eager to get started.
Given the classic foundation upon which it is built, paired with a host of modern features, the MIDIMUSE 1.1 is an emblem of evolution, a testament to the endless possibilities when past inspirations meet present technologies. To begin journeying with this device, you would need a minimum of Ableton Live 10 and Max 8.3. To get your hands on this MIDI sequencer, visit https://maxforlive.com/library/device/10945/midimuse, and for a commercial license, go to https://strangesoundslabs.gumroad.com/l/MIDIMUSE.
Example Usage
Creating a Simple Melodic Sequence with MIDIMUSE
If you're brand new to the world of algorithmic sequencing and eager to dive into creating your first melodic pattern with MIDIMUSE in Ableton Live, follow these straightforward steps to get started:
- Setting Up Your Instrument: - First, drag the MIDIMUSE device into a new MIDI track in Ableton Live. - Then, load up your favorite synth instrument onto the same MIDI track. This can be anything from a stock Ableton instrument like 'Analog' or 'Operator,' to any third-party VST instrument of your choice.
- Programming Your First Sequence: - On the MIDIMUSE device, locate the intervals labeled A, B, & C. - Set interval A to C1, interval B to C2, and interval C to C4. These settings establish the basic pitch material for your sequence. Playing the pattern now will result in an ascending scale.
- Syncing with Live's Clock: - Make sure that MIDIMUSE is set to play in sync with Live's metronome. You can adjust the clock resolution to your preference, whether it's quarter notes, eighth notes, or any other subdivision you like, to change the speed of your sequence's rhythm.
- Exploring Direction and Scale Quantization: - Find the direction switch on the MIDIMUSE device and set it to "+" to play your sequence forwards or "-" to play it backwards. Hear the difference when it cycles through the MIDI pattern in reverse. - Use the quantizer feature to lock your sequence into a specific scale. Just select one of the 14 scale types available and your notes will automatically adhere to that scale, ensuring your sequence is harmonically consistent.
- Starting from Scratch: - If you decide you want to reset your sequence and create something new, simply click the small reset button on the right side of the device. This clears the bits from the shift register and allows you to start fresh.
By following these easy steps, you'll have created a basic yet intriguing melodic sequence using MIDIMUSE that could be the foundation for your next track!
Keep experimenting with different interval settings, rhythms, and scales to discover the full creative potential of MIDIMUSE in your music production. Enjoy the melding of vintage algorithmic concepts with modern music-making in Ableton Live.
In this intermediate-level usage example of the MIDIMUSE 1.1, we'll explore crafting a complex melody line that utilizes MIDIMUSE’s unique algorithmic capabilities and syncs it with Ableton Live’s clock. We'll be starting with an empty MIDI channel and a preferred synthesizer to show off the sequencer’s potential to create evocative melodies.
- Start by loading your favorite synth sound onto a new MIDI track in Ableton Live. For this exercise, we'll choose a warm pad sound to give a lush backdrop to our sequence.
- Drag and drop the MIDIMUSE 1.1 device onto the same MIDI track as your chosen synth. This will enable MIDIMUSE to control the MIDI notes that the synth will play.
- Once MIDIMUSE is loaded, set your desired clock resolution for the sequence. We will set it to 16th notes to give our melody a moderate pace.
- Next, experiment with the direction of the binary counter. Initially, set it to the default “+” to move forward through the pattern, and later reverse it by setting it to “-” for a retrograde feel.
- Set up interval A, B, and C to notes that fit within your desired scale. Start with C1, D#1, and A1, to give an exotic scale feel. Hit play and listen to the ascending melodic pattern.
- Use the built-in quantizer to lock your sequence to a specific scale type. For a dreamy and ethereal vibe, select the ‘Minor’ scale. This will ensure that the melody generated by MIDIMUSE adheres to the set scale.
- Now the fun part: Program a pattern by activating different bits in the shift register. You can do this by clicking on the steps within MIDIMUSE. Try a pattern for a couple of 'bits' to understand how they affect the sequence, then progressively build up your pattern.
- Once satisfied with the basic shape of your melody, toggle the direction to “-” (minus) to hear how MIDIMUSE creates a complementary, descending version of your pattern. This is ideal for creating variations in your composition.
- As MIDIMUSE plays back your pattern, tweak the intervals A, B, and C in real-time for dynamic alterations in the melody, adding to the complexity.
- If you want to start over or create a variation, use the reset button to clear the existing pattern at the beginning of your next bar.
- Finally, record the MIDI output of MIDIMUSE into a new MIDI track to capture your sequence. You can then manually edit the notes for further refinement or use the sequence as a starting point for a new improvisation.
Through these steps, you can appreciate the flexibility of MIDIMUSE as a modern incarnation of the Triadex Muse, bringing its algorithmic composition essence into your Ableton Live sessions to inspire and generate new and unexpected musical ideas.
Further Thoughts
Imagine harnessing the algorithmic complexity of the 1969 Triadex Muse in a modern Ableton Live session. With MIDIMUSE 1.1, you can channel that enigmatic sequence generation into a contemporary musical landscape, using any instrument or VST at your disposal. Here's an advanced usage example:
Let's create a progressive ambient soundscape with an evolving melodic pattern using MIDIMUSE. First, let's set up MIDIMUSE on a new MIDI track and route its output to a soft synth pad with a lush reverb – think wide, atmospheric, and ethereal. Now, let's delve into the algorithmic heart of MIDIMUSE.
Start with setting the clock resolution to 16th notes for a steady flow. Now for the magic: program the interval selectors A, B, and C to create a sequence that's melodically intriguing. Let’s say you want a pattern that captures the listener's ear but doesn't repeat too predictably. For this, choose C3, E3, and A3, constructing the intervals not only as tonal steps but also as triggers for our algorithmic sequence.
Next, let’s incorporate the binary counter's direction switch to inject some retrograde motion into our soundscape. After you’ve listened to the sequence ascending, switch the direction to ‘-’ to have it descend, creating a push and pull sensation that breathes with the tempo.
Take advantage of the quantizer to lock the sequence to a Dorian scale for that sweet mix of minor and major sonorities. As MIDIMUSE algorithmically cycles through variations, moments of tension and release will organically emerge, keeping the soundscape feeling alive and engaging over time.
Remember, the Triadex Muse's charm was in the complexity from simplicity. Spells of repetition in the sequence might lull listeners, but the minute alterations and unexpected shifts in direction will keep them intrigued. Use automation to gradually alter the intervals and introduce subtle shifts in tonality, keeping the progressive element alive across your soundscape narrative.
Bonus tip: MIDIMUSE doesn’t have to be the focal point of your track. Use it to introduce an undercurrent of movement by setting it to a subtle arpeggiated pattern that hums beneath the primary layers of your track. This can maintain momentum and add a complex texture without overshadowing your track's main elements.
As the pattern evolves, consider how the rest of your track might respond. With Ableton Live's automation, you can craft a dynamic interplay between MIDIMUSE-led rhythmic fluctuations and other elements like filters, volume swells, or panning to create a fully immersive audio environment. This way, you're not just sequencing; you're sculpting a living, breathing electronic ecosystem in your session.