In an always evolving world of electronic music, the endeavor to make compelling and distinct sounds becomes a perpetual aspiration for many producers. Among the multitude of tools at an artist's disposal, the innovative Blocks MIDI Generator 1.0 by ntrm carves out a unique space. Different from conventional rhythm creators, Blocks brings in a novel approach, using 'additive rhythms’ or 'proportional rhythms' to create complex rhythmic patterns and challenging traditional time divisions. For those seeking a journey towards unchartered rhythmic territories, Blocks might just be the guiding compass.
The concept of Blocks borrows inspiration from Cutelab's Nestup, with the central tenet of creating rhythms around the "container". Imagine this container as a singular rhythmic unit which can be filled with numerous smaller units or proportions. No longer are we confined by even divisions, with Blocks at our disposal, ratios and proportions take centre stage, brewing a potpourri of unexpected rhythms.
One of the most appealing aspects of Blocks is that it doesn't dictate how to create music; instead, it encourages open-ended exploration. The layout of the tool is straightforward and allows you ample room to experiment, maximizing potential for creating rhythms that are intuitive, surprising and captivating.
As a companion tool, ntrm recommends the Divs MIDI Tool, which provides even subdivisions of notes. Together with Blocks, they have the potential to build nested polyrhythms that channel the complex, vibrant tonality of Mohammad Reza Mortazavi. Implementing these two tools in your Ableton Live session opens countless doors to diversify musical this spectacle.
So, how do you integrate Blocks into your music production process? Install it in Ableton Live version 12.0.0 with Max version 8.6.0, accessible for commercial purchase at the given download URL. With this version, you’ll be able to explore Blocks' features and leverage them in your music creation voyage.
Whether you're a budding producer tentatively embarking on the voyage of digital music creation or a seasoned sonic adventurer, Blocks offers a unique perspective on rhythm generation. Not only does it provide a toolkit for vyactive experimentation but its intuitive design also allows you to imbue your compositions with a refreshing sense of rhythmic dynamism. With its potent combination of flexibility and creativity, Blocks has the potential to revolutionize your approach to rhythm production. So go ahead, unleash your creativity and break from the norm.
Grab your copy of Blocks MIDI Generator 1.0 today and reinvent your musical journey. Find it at https://maxforlive.com/library/device/10135/blocks-midi-generator. Start experimenting with additive rhythms and discover the vast expanse of possibilities that this ingenious tool can offer. Let Blocks assist in shaping the pulse of your music, enabling you to create in ways you never thought possible.
Ready to push boundaries and create complex, unique rhythmic patterns? Immerse yourself in the world of Blocks – your gateway to additive sequencing and rhythmic design in Ableton Live.
Example Usage
As a novice user starting out with Blocks MIDI Generator in Ableton Live, the process of crafting complex rhythms can begin with simple experimentation. Here's an easy-to-follow example to get you started with additive sequencing using Blocks.
- Download and install: Visit the given link to download and purchase Blocks MIDI Generator. Follow the installation instructions to add it to your Ableton Live set.
- Load Blocks into a MIDI track: In Ableton Live, create a new MIDI track by clicking Command + Shift + T on Mac or Ctrl + Shift + T on Windows. Now, navigate to the 'Max for Live' devices category and locate Blocks MIDI Generator. Drag and drop it onto your new MIDI track.
- Choose a sound source: For Blocks to control, load an instrument onto the same MIDI track. This could be a drum rack, a synthesizer, or a sampler loaded with a percussive sound.
- Initialize the device: Open Blocks and click any button that reads 'Init' or 'Reset' to start with a clean slate.
- Create a basic pattern: You'll see a set of controls that represent different rhythmic values. Click on a few blocks to activate them. For example, activate two blocks in the '1/8' column to create a simple eighth-note pattern.
- Experiment with proportions: Now, click on other blocks in adjacent columns to add additional layers to your rhythm. The blocks represent different subdivisions, so adding a block in the '1/3' column will add a triplet feel over your eighth notes.
- Adjust the overall length: Use the length control to define how many beats your rhythm pattern will last before it loops. This will give you the feel of additive rhythms as they repeat over time.
- Play with density: Change the density slider to increase or decrease the number of notes that appear in your pattern, which will affect the complexity and feel of the rhythm.
- Save your rhythm: Once you're happy with the rhythm you've created, be sure to save your work as a new Clip within Ableton Live.
- Combine with Divs MIDI Tool: Open a new MIDI track and load up the Divs MIDI Tool, then route it to the same sound source. Use Divs to create evenly spaced rhythms that contrast with the complex patterns made with Blocks.
By following these steps, even a novice user can begin to construct intricate and compelling rhythms without becoming overwhelmed by the depth of Blocks MIDI Generator. Remember, experimentation is key, so don't be afraid to activate and deactivate blocks in different combinations to discover rhythms that inspire your musical creativity.
Imagine you're crafting a rhythmic pattern for a new track where you want a complex polyrhythmic feel—a texture that goes beyond the standard 4/4 grid. With Blocks MIDI Generator, you're going to create an engaging rhythm that evolves over time, capturing your listener's attention. Here's how you can achieve this:
Step 1: Load Blocks MIDI Generator into a MIDI track in your Ableton Live session, alongside a drum rack filled with your choice of percussive sounds.
Step 2: Open the Blocks device and start by setting the Base to '16n' to have sixteenth-note pulse as your timing reference. This will ensure that regardless of the complexity you add, your rhythm will be rooted to a recognizable metric.
Step 3: Engage three blocks within the device by clicking on them. These will serve as your primary rhythm containers. Set their sizes to different proportions to start building an additive rhythm. For example, set the first block to 3, the second to 5, and the third to 7. This will create a pattern of 3:5:7 sixteenth-note subdivisions.
Step 4: To add flavor to your rhythm, adjust the velocities within each block. Perhaps you want the first beat of each block to hit harder, creating a dynamic accent pattern. You could alternatively design a crescendo effect across each block to build tension.
Step 5: Experiment with the 'Rotate' function within each block to shift your patterns cyclically, which will yield new rhythmic phrases. A slight rotation of the blocks can entirely transform the feel of your loop, enabling you to find the groove that resonates with the mood of your track.
Step 6: Take advantage of Blocks' ability to loop differently sized blocks independently. Extend the loop bracket over a longer period to see how the blocks interplay when they are not constrained to a bar or even pattern. This can help you generate a rhythm that evolves over several measures, reducing repetition and increasing interest.
Step 7: Record the MIDI output from Blocks into a clip on another track. Once recorded, you can fine-tune individual notes, or use the material as a source for further editing and arrangement ideas. This recording will capture the complex rhythm you've designed with Blocks.
Step 8: Utilize Ableton Live's Groove Pool to apply a groove to the MIDI clip that you've created with Blocks, ensuring that the complex rhythms still have a human-like feel. This can soften the mechanical precision and add a layer of organic swing to your pattern.
Remember, the beauty of Blocks MIDI Generator is found in playfulness and experimentation. There's no 'wrong' way to use it. By pushing and pulling at the proportions and parameters, you can create rhythms that are uniquely yours and fit the exact character of your music project. With Blocks, you've unlocked new rhythmic possibilities that can elevate your music production to new heights. Now, go ahead and explore the boundaries of your rhythmic imagination.
Further Thoughts
As we delve into the Blocks MIDI Generator by ntrm, we unlock a world of rhythmic possibilities that pushes the boundary of conventional sequencing. Consider a scenario where you're tasked with creating a captivating drum pattern that breaks away from the usual 4/4 time signature and explores the enchanting terrain of additive rhythms.
To illustrate, let's imagine we're working on a project that requires a complex rhythm to serve as the backbone for an electronic track with dense textures and shifting meters—something that could echo the intricate work of percussionist Mohammad Reza Mortazavi.
Begin by launching Ableton Live 12 and loading up a drum rack filled with your choice of percussive sounds. Add in the Blocks MIDI Generator as a Max for Live device on the same MIDI track. Now, prepare for a creative journey where intuition and playfulness take the lead.
First, let’s define the overall length of our rhythmic cycle. We can specify this parameter in Blocks to contain a certain number of beats that do not conform to common meters. Let's choose, for example, a 15-beat cycle, which could be subdivided unevenly, such as 3+3+4+5.
Inside Blocks, we adjust the 'proportional divisions' to match our unique meter aspirations. By inputting the values 3, 3, 4, and 5 into separate 'containers' within Blocks, we've effectively created the skeleton of our additive rhythm. The device will now output MIDI notes following these proportions, introducing an organic ebb and flow to the groove.
Now, let’s get even more intricate. Within each container, we can further subdivide the beats using different rhythmic values. Suppose we take the first 3-beat container. We might fill it with sixteenth notes, while the second 3-beat container could be filled with a dotted eighth note followed by two sixteenths and an eighth note rest, lending a playful syncopation to the second phrase.
For the 4-beat container, we explore the use of triplets, dividing it into four groups of triplet eighth notes, thereby injecting a smooth, rolling quality into it. Finally, the 5-beat container could feature a quarter note, then seven sixteenth notes, followed by a rest, crafting a complex and unexpected finish to our cycle.
The beauty of Blocks is that once you've set these containers, manipulating their contents and proportions is as easy as clicking and dragging—meaning that experimentation and refinement can happen on the fly. Unpredictable rhythmic structures take form, and with each iteration, new musical ideas emerge. By coupling Blocks with the Divs MIDI Tool, which can handle those evenly timed subdivisions, we can accentuate the most compelling parts of our sequence or even inject new, tightly timed patterns to contrast against the fluidity of our additive rhythms.
As you progress, don't hesitate to map Blocks parameters to a MIDI controller. This hands-on approach will allow you to perform changes in real-time, infusing your electronic performance with unparalleled dynamism.
Remember, Blocks is not just a tool for generating beats—it is a canvas for rhythmic innovation. By leveraging its capacity for crafting proportional rhythms, we've conceived a drum pattern that transcends traditional sequencing and ultimately serves as a testament to the limitless creative potential within Ableton Live’s ecosystem.