Rivanni's XY 4x4 1.0, hailing as an innovative audio device in the Max for Live domain, is a game-changer in the realm of dynamic audio control within Ableton Live. As an XY pad, this device offers the unique capability of mapping up to eight parameters at one time. This includes four parameters along both the X-axis and the Y-axis, respectively. It's an ideal tool for true audio manipulators and listeners alike who desire more profound control over their music.
This Max for Live audio effect is easily understood thanks to an intuitive, user-friendly interface. The X and Y values under the XY pad are MIDI-mappable, offering flexible control for any musical interface. To help you keep track, the dots located within the interface reveal which rows are mapped, while the specific modes are color-coded for instant onscreen recognition.
Moreover, XY 4x4 1.0 comes integrated with a Mapping Panel that you can display or hide at the mere touch of a button located at the interface's bottom right corner. This panel operates similarly to the modulators within Ableton Live, enabling users to quick-set their preferred parameters onto the XY pad. Two slender yellow lines directly depict the current X and Y values, providing real-time visual guidance as you adjust your settings.
Simultaneously, the device's controls offer the potential for automation via the mapping panel. These include the Min and Max settings in Remote mode and Bipolar and Amount in Mod mode. They allow for sophisticated sound shaping within Ableton Live. However, it's noteworthy that you cannot manage automation via right-click in the mapping panel, defying conventional Ableton practices. But fear not - the parameters you adjust can be recorded dynamically and seen in the automation lane during your recording session. You can also select the control from the Automation Control Choicer.
Excitingly for Ableton Push users, XY 4x4 1.0 is fully navigable through Push's touch-sensitive controls, offering the potential for more tactile, real-time performance tweaks. It's an exciting addition to the tactile, touch-enhanced universe of Push, expanding the multimedia artist's arsenal in the process.
Despite the release date back in January 2025, the XY 4x4 1.0 has maintained its relevance and utility within the latest Ableton Live 12 environment. Its continuous compatibility proof of its enduring potential for music production and performance.
In the ongoing artist's quest for revolutionary audio manipulation, Rivanni's XY 4x4 1.0 stands out for its flexible parameter mapping and advanced automation controls. It's an essential tool for Ableton Live users seeking to break new ground in sonic exploration. For those eager to take their productions to the next level, the XY 4x4 1.0 is available for download at this location: maxforlive.com/library/device/11739/xy-4x4.
All in all, mastering the XY 4x4 1.0 brings a new dimension to dynamic audio control within Ableton Live. For the creative producer, the device imbues your music with agile, responsive dynamics that breathe life and energy into your sonic creations. Tyler Robinson shares, "The XY 4x4 1.0 humbly revolutionizes audio manipulation, implicating fluid, responsive transformations that are founding elements for every type of innovative musical artist". Unleash your creativity and discover the true potential of this ground-breaking Max for Live device.
Example Usage
To get started with the XY 4x4 1.0 device by Rivanni in your Ableton Live session, begin by placing this versatile audio effect on the track you want to manipulate. This Max for Live device is designed to offer dynamic control over a range of audio parameters using an intuitive XY pad. Here's how you can explore its foundational features even if you're new to the concept of audio modulation:
First, select a track in your Ableton Live session where you’d like to experiment with sound manipulation. Next, navigate to the device browser, locate the XY 4x4 1.0, and drag it onto your track. You'll notice the central interface: a large XY pad surrounded by settings and mapping options.
The simplest way to understand the XY 4x4 1.0 is to experiment by mapping parameters. Click the button at the bottom right of the device to reveal the mapping panel. To map parameters, click on a parameter you want to control, such as filter cutoff, reverb size, or pan position, then assign it to either the X or Y axis by clicking on one of the four dots corresponding to the chosen axis.
Let’s say you want to control a filter’s cutoff frequency with the X-axis and a reverb’s dry/wet mix with the Y-axis. First, ensure your audio track has these effects loaded (you can add an Ableton Live Auto Filter followed by a Reverb effect). Open the mapping panel on the XY 4x4 1.0 and click the empty dot corresponding to the X-axis. Then, simply click on the filter cutoff knob to map it. Repeat the process for the reverb’s dry/wet knob, using the Y-axis dots.
Now, as you move your cursor across the pad, you will see two yellow lines moving along the X and Y axes. These lines represent the values sent to the mapped parameters. As you move the indicator on the XY pad, you'll dynamically hear the changes in your audio—observe how smoothly the filter opens and the reverb deepens.
You don't need any complex automation or modulation skills to begin experimenting with the XY 4x4 1.0. Simply assign, move, and listen. This foundational approach offers a fantastic, hands-on introduction to live audio manipulation, making the device a powerful yet approachable tool for crafting intricate soundscapes and evolving audio textures.
To get the most out of the XY 4x4 1.0 in an Ableton Live session, consider this intermediate-level usage example that leverages its capacity for dynamic audio manipulation.
Creating a Morphing Reverb Effect:
- Set Up Your Track: Load an audio track with vocals or a melodic instrument—something with sustained notes will work best for showcasing a dynamic reverb.
- Load XY 4x4 1.0: Drag the device into an Audio Effects Rack within your track. You’ll be using its X and Y axes to create a dynamic reverb modulation.
- Reverb Control Mapping: - X Axis Mapping: Select a reverb device in your chain. Map the X axis of the XY pad to the reverb’s 'Decay Time', 'Dry/Wet', and 'Size' parameters. This setup will allow you to stretch or shorten the reverb tail dynamically. - Y Axis Mapping: Still within the reverb device, map the Y axis to the 'Pre-Delay' and 'Color' (or 'Density') parameters. This will help create a spectral transformation effect.
- Parameter Adjustment: - In the XY 4x4 mapping panel, adjust the Min and Max values for each parameter to ensure sensible and musical transitions. Avoid extreme settings that might lead to audio artifacts unless that’s the desired effect. - Consider using 'Bipolar' mode on the Y axis for a more nuanced control, letting mid-position act as a zero point.
- Automation and Performance: - Record automation in your session by assigning MIDI controls to the X and Y values below the pad. This is particularly useful if you plan to perform live or capture expressive movements. - You can either manually write automation in the session or use an external MIDI controller to interact with the XY pad for a more hands-on approach. This can bring your reverb transitions to life, fitting them snugly into the contours of your track.
- Experiment and Refine: Listen back and fine-tune your mappings. Subtle adjustments can lead to a more polished and professional effect. Don’t shy away from experimenting with modulation amounts to explore unique sound textures.
By using the XY 4x4 1.0 for morphing your reverb settings, you’re adding a layer of movement and emotion, pushing your track into more cinematic, atmospheric territories. Not only does this technique enhance the depth of your audio, but it also enables you to craft ever-evolving soundscapes that captivate listeners.
Further Thoughts
Imagine you're crafting a live performance set inside Ableton Live, and you've just integrated the XY 4x4 1.0 by Rivanni into your effects chain. This Max for Live device offers a transformative approach to fluidly manipulate audio effects in real time, allowing for an expansive range of expression and control.
Begin by placing the XY 4x4 1.0 onto the track where you've loaded an evolving ambient pad. Click the button at the bottom right to reveal the mapping panel. The interface allows you to map up to eight crucial parameters swiftly; consider using this capacity to control the filter cutoff, resonance, LFO rate, and reverb dry/wet mix on the X-axis while managing delay feedback, chorus depth, flanger rate, and drive amount on the Y-axis. By assigning these parameters, you create a powerful touchpoint for sculpting your sound without ever leaving the XY interface.
Now, set your Ableton Live session into play and observe as the two thin yellow lines on the device signify the real-time position of your control. Imagine using Ableton's Push to unlock even further tactile engagement with these parameters. The seamless response of the XY pad, with its dynamic feedback, is perfect for gradually transitioning your ambient pad from a gentle, airy whisper to an intense, swirling maelstrom and back again, all with a few sweeping gestures across the pad.
Though you cannot directly manage automation through right-click options in the mapping panel, think outside the box. For live performances or intricate track sessions, manually recording your gestural movements across the XY pad captures the essence of your dynamic manipulation. By selecting the desired automated controls within Ableton's arrangement view, you can layer these movements with precision, allowing for both spontaneous creativity during live sets and meticulous detail when editing sessions.
The XY 4x4 1.0 offers a unique gateway to merging visual input with sonic output, transforming routine audio manipulations into a visually guided audio experience. Whether in a dark club or intimate studio setting, the device’s intuitive design bridges the tactile with the auditory, enabling performers and producers alike to explore sound design’s outer limits with both clarity and creativity. Embrace this tool for its unmatched ability to fuse spontaneous control with complex audio modulation, ensuring every performance is as unique as it is compelling.