Morusque's Regrid 1.0 is an innovative MIDI effect device designed to change the game for Ableton Live users. One of the most challenging aspects of music production can be managing tempo automation, especially when trying to export MIDI clips that need to incorporate variations in tempo. However, this device takes strides in simplifying this process.
Regrid 1.0's primary function is to "commit" tempo automation directly into a MIDI clip. It achieves this by transforming real-time tempo changes into a fixed-timing track. In application, this means if you require tempo modifications to be reflected when exporting a MIDI clip, Regrid 1.0 can help achieve this with ease. Moreover, it prioritizes these changes, replacing the first slot of the session view for the current track with the resulting clip.
The device was launched in April 2025 and despite being a work-in-progress, it offers exciting prospects to Ableton Live users. With only 30 downloads since its release, users who come across Regrid 1.0 are pioneers of an evolution in streamlining MIDI workflows. The device is currently at a stage where it only copies notes and does not incorporate other MIDI information. However, this still provides a fascinating tool for those intrigued by the idea of dynamic tempo integration within their compositions.
The device has been developed and tested for use with Live 12.0.5 and Max 8.6.2, giving assurance to users running these versions of their compatibility with Regrid. Even though the device was recently introduced, it provides a foresight into what is possible with managing tempo automation providing a promising trajectory for the future updates.
As for the license, the device creator Morusque offers the Regrid 1.0 without restrictions, encouraging everyone to take advantage of its current capabilities and explore the innovations it brings to the world of MIDI automation in Ableton Live.
In conclusion, Regrid 1.0 is not just a MIDI device, but a glimpse into the future of tempo automation within Ableton Live. Whether novices exploring their first compositions or veteran producers searching for swifter workflows, this tool opens up a new realm of creative possibilities. To explore more and get hold of this device, please click here.
Example Usage
To begin exploring tempo automation with Regrid 1.0 in Ableton Live, even as a novice, you'll find it straightforward to capture tempo changes and integrate them into your MIDI clips. Let's walk through a simple example that demonstrates how you might use this Max4Live MIDI Effect in your project.
First, ensure that you have Regrid 1.0 inserted on a MIDI track within your Ableton Live session. This device, developed by Morusque, effectively allows you to "commit" tempo changes to a MIDI clip, which can be incredibly handy for maintaining the feel of your MIDI performance even when there are fluctuations in tempo.
- Prepare Your Track: Open Ableton Live and create a new MIDI track. Drag in your preferred MIDI instrument and create or import a MIDI clip that you'd like to apply tempo changes to. This clip should be placed in the first slot of the session view on the track where you’ve added Regrid 1.0.
- Set Up Tempo Automation: Go to the Master track and enable Arrangement View to draw your tempo automation. Click on the 'Master' track header, then expand the 'Mixer' section and click on 'Tempo.' Here, draw in your desired tempo changes by adjusting the tempo automation line. For this example, you might start at 120 BPM and gradually ramp up to 140 BPM across the length of the clip.
- Use Regrid 1.0: Head back to the MIDI track where Regrid 1.0 is inserted. Play the track in the Session View and let the entire MIDI clip play through once. Regrid 1.0 will automatically commit the tempo changes into the fixed-timing MIDI clip in the first slot.
- Check the Results: Stop the playback and examine the new MIDI clip in the session view’s first slot. The clip generated by Regrid 1.0 will have its notes adjusted to align with the tempo changes you've set. While only notes are copied currently, this is perfect for capturing rhythmic nuances impacted by changing tempo.
- Export Your Clip: Optionally, export this new MIDI clip by dragging it out of Ableton Live, preserving the tempo effect you've applied.
With these steps, you've successfully started using Regrid 1.0 to capture tempo dynamics within your MIDI tracks, even before mastering any complex automation techniques. This innovative approach can add substantial depth and realism to sequences, especially when moving beyond static tempos. Remember, as Regrid 1.0 is a work-in-progress device, keeping an eye on updates could bring further features enhancing your workflow.
To explore intermediate-level applications of Regrid 1.0, let's dive into how this Max4Live MIDI device can be utilized for complex tempo mapping and automation in a live performance context.
Imagine you're performing a live set that involves a dynamic interaction between pre-recorded MIDI clips and live instrumentation. You desire to maintain the flexibility of tempo changes to match the energy of your live band performance while ensuring your MIDI setup stays tightly synced without manual adjustments throughout the session.
Start by creating a MIDI clip on your main instrument track that sets the baseline groove of your composition. Once your foundational rhythm is solid, introduce Regrid 1.0 to commit precise tempo changes into this clip. As the live performance unfolds, manually adjust the tempo of your set using a MIDI controller or directly in Ableton Live to match the band's energy.
With Regrid 1.0 inserted, take the following steps for advanced tempo implementation:
- First, record your desired tempo changes as your band progresses through the dynamic sections of the track. These can be performed live or pre-sequenced.
- Trigger Regrid 1.0 on your primary MIDI clip to capture these tempo fluctuations. The device will convert the real-time tempo automation into a fixed-timing MIDI clip. This process takes any tempo drift into account, preserving your live tempo adjustments as a locked clip, ensuring every beat lands precisely as intended.
- Utilize the resulting MIDI clip in Ableton’s session view, placed in the first slot of the track. This converted clip allows your live performance to leverage tempo dynamics, maintaining tight synchronization between any virtual instruments and MIDI hardware.
By employing Regrid 1.0, you'll be able to marry the spontaneity of a live performance with the precision of MIDI programming, offering a seamless blend of automation and improvisation in your Ableton Live productions. This technique empowers you to export MIDI clips that inherently respect the ebb and flow of your tempo changes, bringing your live performance to new heights both in spontaneity and digital precision.
Further Thoughts
As you prepare to execute complex tempo automation tasks in your Ableton Live session with Regrid 1.0, understanding the intricacies of this MIDI device will be pivotal to your success. Let's delve into an expert-level usage scenario that demonstrates how to fully harness its capabilities:
Imagine you are working on a project that requires an intricate polyrhythmic texture derived from a combination of tempo-modulated MIDI sequences. Start by arming a MIDI track with an instrument of your choice. Create a MIDI clip that features a simple melodic or rhythmic pattern. Open Regrid 1.0 on this MIDI track.
In Ableton Live, tempo automation can typically be applied across the timeline, but when you need these tempo changes embedded within your MIDI sequence, Regrid 1.0 shines. To initiate, set up complex tempo automation within the Arrangement View. You might choose to create smooth ramps or sharp tempo changes to intensify specific sections of your performance.
Upon setting your tempo changes, ensure Regrid 1.0 is active and click the commit button. This action translates your fluctuating tempo into the MIDI notes' timing, thereby embedding these fluctuations intrinsically into the MIDI data. The resulting MIDI clip will reflect the physiological changes once capturing is complete, appearing in the first session view slot of the current track—a perfect candidate for export or triggering as a dynamic clip that retains its characteristic ebb and flow of tempo variability.
As you listen back, notice how the tempo-committed MIDI clip retains the fluidity and dynamic variation introduced by the original tempo automation. With Regrid 1.0, these variabilities are no longer ephemeral automation points but are now an intrinsic part of the MIDI format—ready for live performance adaptations where a fixed tempo is usually inadequate.
This practice not only illustrates the potential of Regrid 1.0 in managing sophisticated tempo manipulations reflective in your performance but also opens up new possibilities for creative expression and control within your unique MIDI compositions. Consider using such techniques to build a rhythmic section with asynchronous elements that defy regular beats, or as a method to transform linear MIDI ideas into evolving, human-like performances, encapsulating the organic variability of freeform music.