Telequencer by Akihiko Matsumoto is an impressive device that quickly carves its own lane in the realm of MIDI sequencing. This 16-step MIDI wizard has the power to shape and manipulate beats making it an exciting addition to an Ableton Live user's creative toolkit. It is a MIDI Effect device designed to be used with Ableton Live version 12.0.5 and Max version 8.6.2.
What makes this Max4Live device particularly intriguing is its flexibility; catering to creative needs across a spectrum of complexity. At the heart of the Telequencer lies a 16-step sequencer - it is here where producers are given charge over the pitch and duration of each step. Yet, the real magic starts to happen when users begin to experiment with the Telequencer's range of controls.
The device empowers you to adjust the number of steps in your loop, allowing for dynamic creations. You can have fewer steps for minimalistic, hypnotic grooves or explore all 16 steps for intricate, pulsating rhythms. In the same manner, the Telequencer allows you to dictate the sequence rotations, letting you to shuffle your patterns and generate unexpected, quirky results. You can morph your rhythms into complex phrases with just a few simple operations.
This incredible sequencer was only released on September 3, 2024, and it is yet to be reviewed by users. However, considering the innovative features it brings to the table, it won't be surprising when it garners an audience of Ableton Live users excited to experiment and evolve their sound. The Telequencer's commercial presence can be found on Akihiko Matsumoto's digital Gumroad storefront, making it accessible to all who are willing to venture into the realm of MIDI sequencing possibilities this device offers.
In a nutshell, the Telequencer by Akihiko Matsumoto stands as a testament to innovation in the field of MIDI sequencing. Its flexible and user-friendly interface makes it a favorable choice for both beginners and seasoned Ableton Live users, who are ready to take their sequences from ordinary to extraordinary.
For more information and to download the Telequencer, you can visit its official page at this link: https://maxforlive.com/library/device/11006/telequencer.
Elevate your MIDI programming to fresh frontiers. Dive into the depths of creative sequencing and musical manipulation with Telequencer, a 16-step MIDI mastermind that is able to intricately craft and control your musical ideas with ease.
Example Usage
The Telequencer by Akihiko Matsumoto is a fascinating Max4Live device that offers a way to easily input and manipulate MIDI sequences with up to 16 steps. As this is a device aimed at beginners, let's go through a simple exercise to create a basic rhythmic pattern and tweak it to add some variability.
- First, ensure you have Ableton Live 12.0.5 and Max 8.6.2 installed on your computer. Then, download and install the Telequencer from Akihiko Matsumoto's website.
- Open Ableton Live and drag the Telequencer MIDI Effect onto a MIDI track.
- Load up a drum rack or an instrument of your choice onto the same MIDI track to generate sound from the MIDI notes that the Telequencer will produce.
- Once you have the Telequencer in your device chain, you'll see 16 steps which represent 16 MIDI notes. We'll start with a basic kick drum pattern.
- Click on the first step to activate it and input a C1 note, the standard for a kick drum in most drum racks. Then, skip two steps and activate the fourth step with the same note. So far, you've created a simple 'four on the floor' beat.
- Now, experiment with the duration of each step by adjusting the knobs above the steps. Make the first kick longer and the fourth one short, giving a varied feel to your rhythm.
- Use the 'Rotation' control to shift all the steps to the right or left. This will change the starting point of your sequence and can instantly give you a different rhythmic feel.
- To add more complexity, activate more steps and assign different notes to each. For instance, place a snare or clap on every other eighth step to complement your kick pattern.
- Finally, explore the sequence patterns functionality. Find the pattern controls, and try switching between different sequence patterns to see how the Telequencer varies the order and timing of your inputs to create variations of your original pattern.
Remember, trial and error is key! Play around with the sequence lengths, step activation, and note durations. You'll soon find that even with a simple 16-step pattern, numerous musical phrases are at your fingertips with the Telequencer. Enjoy discovering unique rhythms and grooves that breathe life into your music!
Imagine you're producing a groovy tech-house track and you want to add a dynamic, evolving bassline that catches the listener's attention. Here's how you can use the Telequencer, a Max for Live MIDI sequencer, to craft a nuanced bassline pattern with ease.
First, load up a punchy bass synth preset on an Ableton Live MIDI track and then add the Telequencer device from your Max for Live library.
Set the Telequencer to create a 16-step sequence. You'll see a grid where you can enter pitches for each step. Instead of a static loop, let's make a pattern that moves and breathes with your track. Start by entering a simple root note pattern that follows your track's chord progression.
Now it's time to give the sequence some life. With the Telequencer, you can adjust the duration of each step. For a syncopated groove, shorten the duration of some steps while lengthening others.
Experiment with the rotation feature next—it shifts your sequence left or right by the number of steps you select. Set it to a value of 4 to start, then play your track and listen to how the sequence's rhythmic feel changes. Adjust the rotation in real-time to find a groove that complements your drum pattern.
To add interest, play with the pattern presets. These are predetermined sequences that can transform your entered pitches into new, sometimes unexpected, motifs. It might give you some ideas you hadn't considered, and you may stumble upon a unique riff that becomes a signature element of your track.
Remember, while the Telequencer can give you rapid results, the key to a compelling sequence is the nuanced series of adjustments you make. Try tweaking various steps' velocity parameters to give your bassline a more human feel or map some of the Telequencer’s controls to macros for real-time manipulation during your live set.
By leveraging the Telequencer in this manner, you craft a bassline that's both complex and perfectly suited to your track, proving that even intermediate users can achieve professional and creative results.
Further Thoughts
Imagine you've laid down a simple chord progression but find it too static for your energetic and vibrant electronic track. You're seeking a touch of intricacy without over-complicating the harmony part. Let's employ the Telequencer by Akihiko Matsumoto to inject movement and interest into this section.
Start by inserting the Telequencer after a chord-generating device on a MIDI track within Ableton Live 12.0.5. For this example, set the Telequencer to a 16-step sequence, matching the sustained chords playing in the background. The initial goal is to layer a complementary arpeggiated pattern over your chords.
Begin by adjusting the pitch values to match the key of your track while keeping the durations short to create a staccato feel. As you tweak the pitch for each step, ensure that the resulting notes are consonant with the underlying chords to maintain harmonic relevance. Next, set the velocity steps to introduce dynamics, giving each note a distinct touch—mimicking the nuances of a live performance.
With the pitches and velocities set, explore the Telequencer's ability to rotate the sequence. By shifting the sequence three steps to the right, you create an evolving pattern that changes each bar, keeping the listener engaged with subtle rhythmic variations.
Now let’s experiment with the sequencer patterns. Use the 'random' function to mildly alter the sequence generating unpredictable, yet controlled variations—perfect for creating tension before a big drop or breakdown. Conversely, apply the 'invert' function to mirror the rhythmical pattern and inject a touch of surprise or transition into another section of your arrangement.
To further expand the dimensionality, record the MIDI output of the Telequencer onto another track in real-time. Armed with this recorded sequence, you can now manipulate it further in the piano roll, transpose sections for a build-up, or convert your newly fleshed-out melodic lines into an entirely new sound.
By creatively using the Telequencer's 16-step pitch and duration control within Ableton Live, you've transformed a simple chord progression into a dynamic and evolving element of your track. The result is a masterful blend of harmony and rhythm that both complements the existing structure and provides a standout moment in your electronic composition.