The 'Mod Devices for Push 1.0' by ElisabethHomeland marks a significant leap forward in harnessing the already powerful modulation tools that abound in Ableton Live's sphere. By offering an unprecedented level of integration with Ableton's Push control surface, the user experience becomes streamlined and, importantly, hands-on. We take a look at how this Max4Live audio effect can squeeze more functionality out of your Ableton Live session with its direct mapping and visual representation features from your Push.
The conventional use of Ableton Live's built-in LFO, Shaper, Envelope Follower, Shaper MIDI, and Envelope MIDI provides a wide array of opportunities to introduce movement and life into your musical creations. These tools can shape up to eight different parameters in a variety of interesting ways. The major limitation until now, however, was the inability to map these controls directly from Ableton's Push, often resulting in a fragmented workflow as you switched between your hardware controller and your computer.
ElisabethHomeland's response to this gap takes the form of her 'Mod Devices for Push 1.0' device. Echoing elements of the core versions of Ableton's built-in tools but with enhanced Push integration, this Max4Live audio effect allows you to map directly from your Push. Simply turn the MAP dial to set the modulation destination into mapping mode and then adjust any parameters within any of the devices in your Ableton Live session. Unmapping is equally straightforward with the push of the UNMAP button.
Alongside this direct mapping feature is the ability to tweak essential modulation parameters, such as Min, Max and modulation mode, directly from your Push. Again, this enhancement neatly sidesteps the need to revert to your computer, ensuring a fluid and immersive music-making experience.
To elevate this tactile experience to another level, 'Mod Devices for Push 1.0' incorporates a refined visual aspect. When using the device, the Push banks will automatically adopt the name of the mapped parameter. This visual guide is complemented by a dynamic moving dial, a real-time representation of your modulation at work.
Despite being in its early stages with no ratings or downloads yet to its name, 'Mod Devices for Push 1.0' is a shining beacon of what the symbiosis of hardware and software can achieve for the music producer. For those pushing the envelope of what Ableton Live's Push controller can offer, this ingenious Max4Live device is a worthy addition to your modulation arsenal. There's an exhilarating promise of a streamlined workflow for avid Push users looking to deepen their control over their music production.
So why not give it a spin? It's compatible with Live Version 12.0.5 and Max Version 8.6.2 and available for download from https://maxforlive.com/library/device/10807/mod-devices-for-push as well as [ElisabethHomeland's Gumroad page](https://elisabethhomeland.gumroad.com). If your Ableton setup includes Push, you'll likely find this unique modulator a game-changer for your creative process. Unlock the gates to more dynamic modulation from your Ableton's Push and let your sonic journey begin in earnest.
Example Usage
Imagine you've just created a new synth lead in Ableton Live and you want to add some dynamic movement to the filter cutoff frequency. Before, you would have had to do some mouse clicking to set up an LFO on your computer, but now you have the 'Mod Devices for Push 1.0' at your fingertips. Here's how you as a novice could quickly start modulating that cutoff frequency using your Ableton Push and the LFO from the 'Mod Devices for Push 1.0':
- Load the modified LFO device onto the same track as your synth lead.
- Press the 'Device' button on your Push to view the device's parameters.
- Use the 'MAP' dial on your Push to enter mapping mode for the LFO.
- Simply tweak the filter cutoff knob on your synth to map it to the LFO.
- Once mapped, the Push screen will display the mapped parameter's name instead of 'MAP'.
- To un-map, twist the 'UNMAP' button on Push.
- Now, with the cutoff mapped, you use the Push encoders to adjust the LFO Rate and Depth in real-time, watching the Push screen's moving dial to see the modulation's effect on your synth's cutoff frequency.
By following these steps, you've added a rhythmic pulsation to your lead sound without ever having to take your hands off the Push. This is just a simple example of how the 'Mod Devices for Push 1.0' can bring modulations to life for novice users right from the Push interface.
Let's dive into an intermediate usage scenario for the "Mod Devices for Push 1.0," which aims to enhance your creativity and workflow by seamlessly integrating modulation with your Push controller.
Imagine you're working on an atmospheric track and want to introduce a pulsating synth pad that evolves over time. You decide that an LFO modulating the filter cutoff and resonance parameters would bring the dynamic movement you're looking for.
Since you have the "Mod Devices for Push 1.0" installed, you can perform these steps directly from your Push without having to map parameters manually on your computer. Here's how you could go about it:
- Load your chosen synth pad sound onto a track in Ableton Live.
- From the device browser on Push, add an instance of the modified LFO device from the "Mod Devices for Push 1.0" pack to the same track as your synth pad.
- On your Push, press the 'Device' button to access the device controls, and then use the 'Page' buttons to navigate to the LFO device you just added.
- Now press the 'MAP' button on Push, and twist the encoder for the filter cutoff parameter on the synth pad to map it to the LFO.
- Repeat the mapping process for the filter resonance parameter to have both modulated by the same LFO.
- With both parameters mapped, turn the dials on Push to adjust the LFO's Rate, Depth, Offset, and Waveform to sculpt the modulation effect on your synth pad.
- For on-the-fly adjustments, you can change the modulation's Min and Max values from Push to make sure the LFO's movement stays within a range that's musical for your track.
- The visual feedback on Push's display shows you the current mapped parameters and the movement of the LFO, reinforcing the relationship between the sound and the control surface.
By using the Min and Max dials, you can finely tune the extent of modulation. For instance, you might set a maximum that is just shy of the resonance producing self-oscillation, creating tension without tipping over into harshness.
Additionally, switching the modulation mode to 'Random' could introduce an element of unpredictability, endowing the track with a constantly shifting texture that keeps listeners engaged.
Remember, experimenting with modulation can dramatically change the energy and mood of a piece, so take advantage of the 'Mod Devices for Push 1.0' to interact with these changes intuitively via your Push controller.
This approach not only saves you time but also keeps you focused on the creative process, maintaining a tactile connection with the music you're crafting.
Further Thoughts
Imagine crafting a hypnotic techno track with pulsing synths and a driving bassline. You want to inject life into the static loops and engage your audience with evolving textures. To achieve this, the Mod Devices for Push 1.0 becomes your central command station, offering tactile and visual feedback as you sculpt the sonic landscape in real-time.
Let's take a scenario where our main synth stab needs a bit of movement to keep the track dynamic. You reach for your Ableton Push and activate the LFO Mod Device. With the MAP dial, you map the LFO to the filter cutoff of your synth. As you turn the knob, you notice the Push display reflects this mapping by showing the parameter names, which allows you to quickly recognize what you're controlling without looking at your computer screen.
Next, you decide to add subtle variation to the resonance control using the Envelope Follower. You map it just as easily, then adjust the sensitivity and release directly from Push, so when the kick hits, the synth's resonance blooms in response, adding a lively interaction between the kick and the synth.
As the energy of your track builds up, you want to introduce a new element using the Shaper MIDI. With the ease of mapping it to the decay of your hi-hat, you create a pattern that tightens up the hi-hats as the track progresses, creating a sense of urgency. The visual representation on Push lets you monitor the evolution of this pattern, and with a few tweaks on the Min/Max and phase parameters, you dial in the perfect groove.
Lastly, you turn your attention to the Shaper device. By drawing a unique shape in the Max4Live device on your computer, you map it to the width of your bass synth directly from Push, creating a stereo movement that makes your bass line dance between the speakers. The tactile feedback from Push's encoders allows you to fine-tune the modulation depth as you feel the crowd's reaction, ensuring your bass sits perfectly in the mix.
Throughout the performance, you never once had to touch your mouse or keyboard; your focus remained on the Push, modulating parameters with precision and feeling the immediacy of hardware control. The seamless integration of the Mod Devices for Push 1.0 transforms your live performance into an expressive experience, blurring the line between producer and performer.
With Mod Devices for Push 1.0, you've elevated your live set, utilizing these advanced yet intuitive modulation tools to keep your music breathing and evolving, ensuring your audience is locked in from start to finish.