Dispersion 1.0, offered freely by creator Stevon, is a mesmerizing Max4Live device that employs the magic of allpass filtering to add unique textural elements into your Ableton Live compositions. Serving as a robust reimagination of the popular Disperser plugin by KiloHearts, Dispersion 1.0 builds its own sonic empire, fuelled by the innovative use of allpass filters in serial.
Transcending the traditional audio transformation paradigms, this device delays different frequencies and manipulates their phase to conjure up the much sought after lazer-like twists in your sound. Whether you're chasing quirky glitches, distinct effects, handy utilities, or a blend of them all, Dispersion 1.0 provides an intuitive toolkit to bring your audio fantasies to life.
Incorporating Dispersion 1.0 into your creative process is as simple as downloading the tool from Stevon's website, available under an AttributionNonCommercialShareAlike license. The generosity of Stevon shines brightly here, inviting donations while ardently ensuring that music production innovation remains accessible to all.
Delving deeper into the specifics, this device excels in a Live 11.3 environment and requires Max 8.1.5 for its smooth operation. Inside this Max4Live device, you will encounter an elegantly arranged array of allpass filters, specifically engineered to orchestrate unpredictable frequency delays and phase alterations within your audio signal. The result is avidly 'lasery' sounds, adding an electrifying edge to your musical narrative.
To top it off, Stevon's commitment to his community of sound creators is paramount. A direct Instagram connection ensures you remain updated on new devices and crucial updates, fostering an environment of collaboration and continuous learning within the Max4Live community.
But words can hardly capture the true brilliance of Dispersion 1.0. The proof indeed lies in the hearing. Why not inject your Ableton Live project with this maximal audio manipulation nectar and experience the transformative journey firsthand? With Dispersion 1.0, you are not just creating music; you are operating on the cutting-edge of sound design, venturing into previously unexplored sonic landscapes.
Head over to the MaxforLive library device page for Dispersion 1.0 to start this exciting audio adventure. The page not only offers an in-depth look at the device but also houses a vibrant community of users discussing their experiences, do's and don'ts, and experimental pathways. In this global sound-design round table, you will discover fresh inspirations and crucial insights, further enriching your audio craft. This is just the start of a transformative journey in which Dispersion 1.0 paves the path to your next big sound. Happy sonically twisting!
Example Usage
Let's dive into creating a phase-twisted drum loop with Dispersion 1.0, a Max4Live allpass filtering tool, that can spice up your rhythms in Ableton Live.
- First, load a simple drum loop onto an audio track in your Ableton Live set. This could be a straight kick and snare pattern for easy manipulation.
- Next, go to Dispersion's download page, grab your copy of the device, and drop Dispersion 1.0 onto the drum loop track. It will appear after the simpler or audio effect racks, intercepting the signal.
- Start playing your drum loop and then open the Dispersion 1.0 device. You'll see an intuitive interface, start with the default settings.
- While the loop plays, slowly adjust the 'Amount' knob. This will increase the intensity of the phase manipulation on your drum sounds, giving them a unique 'lasery' character.
- Experiment with the 'Frequency' knob to set the central frequency around which the allpass filters operate. Lower settings will give you a thick, gutteral twist, whereas higher settings will create a sharp, crisp effect.
- Use the Dry/Wet control to blend the processed signal with the unprocessed drum loop. Starting with a mix of 50% can provide a good balance between the original and effected sounds.
- Finally, record the output. Play with the settings in real-time and capture the variations. This performance can become part of your arrangement, adding a dynamic and unconventional edge to your percussive elements.
Practice adjusting these parameters while listening to how they affect your beat. Dispersion 1.0 can animate your loops, introduce motion, and completely transform your rhythmic foundations with just a few tweaks.
In this intermediate-level usage example, we’ll be innovatively utilizing Dispersion 1.0 to phase-twist a standard 4/4 electronic drum loop into a more complex and unique rhythmic pattern. This process will demonstrate how Dispersion's allpass filtering can transform the groove and add an edge to your beats.
First, drop a simple drum loop onto an audio track in Ableton Live. Aim for a loop with clear transients and a good range of frequencies to fully appreciate the effect of Dispersion.
Now, insert Dispersion 1.0 after your drum loop. Begin by setting the Mix to 100% Wet to hear the full effect of the allpass filters as we adjust them. The idea is to listen carefully as we manipulate the phase of our drum sounds.
Start experimenting with the Frequency control. Sweep through the range to hear how different frequency bands are delayed. Notice how this parameter can dramatically change the tonal characteristic of your drum loop. Find a spot where the kick seems to 'pop' and the snare ‘cracks’ in a particularly pleasing way.
Next, adjust the Amount control. This parameter determines how strong the allpass effect will be. We’re not going for subtle here; rather, let's push it until the percussive hits start to separate and smear, creating a unique temporal texture.
Add some movement to the effect by automating the Frequency parameter. Draw an automation curve that fluctuates the frequency in a rhythmic pattern. This will create a dynamic phase-twisting effect that evolves over time, offering a more lively and engaging beat.
To further shape the sonic character, experiment with the Stereo Spread. This will make your drum loop dance between the left and right channels. Use it sparingly to maintain a groove that doesn't disorient the listener, unless you’re going for an extremely experimental beat.
Now, let’s mix the effect with the original loop. Slowly dial back the Mix control, bringing in some of the dry signal until you reach a balance that maintains the rhythmic integrity of the loop, while still benefiting from the phase-twisted effect Dispersion has created.
Lastly, to add a final layer of polish, group the Dispersion device and the original audio track into an Audio Effect Rack. Map the key parameters of Dispersion to the macro controls for convenient tweaking during your live set or while arranging your track.
Remember to save this preset within Dispersion 1.0 for future use, so you can quickly apply this phase-twisted effect to other drum loops or rhythmic elements in your productions.
By following these steps, you've taken a mundane drum loop and morphed it into a rhythmically complex and sonically intriguing beat that will stand out in your track, all thanks to the phase-altering magic of Dispersion 1.0.
Further Thoughts
Imagine lying in wait for that drop, where your drums are more than just a percussive element—they become a swirling vortex of sonic intrigue. With the Dispersion 1.0, turning a straightforward drum loop into a spasmodic yet melodious component is a truly exhilarating experience.
Firstly, load up a drum loop into a clip in Ableton Live. Ensure it's a loop that offers a rich palette of frequencies; think crisp hats, a chunky kick, and snappy snares. Place the Dispersion 1.0 device onto your drum track and prepare for some phase-twisting fun.
Kick things off by gently increasing the 'Amount' parameter. This slider controls the overall impact of the allpass filters; it's like dialing in the right amount of phase displacement for your loop. You’ll notice how the character of the downbeats shift, taking on an elastic quality.
Now let's get those hats dancing. Isolate them using a basic EQ Eight, slicing off the low-end so the Dispersion 1.0 focuses purely on the higher frequencies. Play around with the 'frequency' knob—it sculpts which part of the spectrum will be most affected by the phase manipulation. By tuning this just right, your high hats start to zing through the mix with a rubbery resonance, each hit bending the perception of time just slightly.
It’s time to infuse some rhythm into our crooked concoction. The seemingly simple 'Speed' control adjusts the reaction time of the all-pass filters. At lower settings, the phase-twisting effect takes on a slower, more languid modulation, giving off an almost underwater vibe. Ramp it up, and the filters begin to oscillate more rapidly, instilling a frenetic character to your loop.
But don’t stop there; 'Dispersion' is now your playground of phase. Map the 'Amount' and 'Speed' parameters to macros on your MIDI controller, and you've got live automation at your fingertips. As the track progresses, morph the effects in real time, keeping your audience locked in a gravitational pull as your beats phase in and out of this dimension.
In the studio, employ the power of automation lanes within Ableton Live. Envision the 'Amount' parameter as a modulation wheel for funkiness—automating slow increases for build-ups or rapid flicks for those sudden, glitch-laden fills. All while, the 'Speed' parameter can be held steady or swept along for added dramatism or syncopated rhythm effects.
The Dispersion 1.0, with its easy-to-use interface and profound impact on the phase of your sounds, becomes an indispensable tool for audio mangling. Whether subtly enriching the texture of your percussion or warping it into unrecognizable forms of rhythmic art, it's a device that both blindsides and becharms the senses. It's a reminder that in the digital realm of audio production, we are limited only by our imagination and willingness to experiment.