Complex 3.6, by Akihiko Matsumoto, is a groundbreaking Max4Live device that democratizes the intense depth and flexibility of iconic modular systems such as Verbos, Buchla, and Make Noise, bringing their incredible sonic capabilities into the Ableton Live ecosystem. Distinctly versatile, it is a LR stereo independent complex monophonic synthesizer that packs a punch with its expanded features which include Linear FM, updated Wave 3 and added tones in its latest iteration.
As you dive into the world of Complex 3.6, you'll quickly grasp its potential for vastly innovative sound design. Each tweak and turn produces a rich variety of aural textures, making it an unparalleled plugin for crafting unique sounds. Whether your introspective late-night sessions require glitchy beats or your high-energy live performances call for lush sequenced patterns, Complex 3.6 is a potent tool guaranteed to expand your sonic palette.
The magic of Complex 3.6 isn't just in its sound generation capabilities; it's also in the way it allows hands-on control. The latest updates, including support for Ableton Push 3, make it more accessible and tactile than ever before. This combination of sonic variety and physical, hands-on control makes it an essential tool for producers and performers, encouraging a deeper level of engagement with sound.
And these enhancements perfectly align with Akihiko Matsumoto's continuous commitment to rectify issues and further improve the Complex series' robust functionality. The Complex 3.6 version saw the correction of octave pitch and midi note on bugs, FM range extension, support for Push3, and the addition of Linear FM as well as a latest Wave 3. Glitch bugs received fixes, and Live 12 got support. The latest iteration introduced the exciting addition of three more tones.
Using Complex 3.6 is akin to turning Ableton Live into a playground for innovative sonic experimentation. As it seamlessly integrates within your Ableton Live session, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. Like carving on a vast ice block to reveal an intricate sculpture, Complex 3.6 allows musicians to chisel away at the walls of sound to uncover their own unique sonic creations.
To harness the unique and extensive functionalities of the Complex 3.6 by Akihiko Matsumoto, you need to acquire a commercial license from the author's Gumroad page. With limitless sonic possibilities on the offer, it is a remarkable instrument device that you certainly need in your toolkit for delivering memorable experiences; whether you're a music producer, a performer, or both.
For further details and a direct download link, visit the device's page on MaxForLive's official website at https://maxforlive.com/library/device/10395/complex. The realm of innovative sonic creation is ready for you to explore, experiment, and most importantly, enjoy. Let your artistic imagination run free and unleash your sonic potential with Complex 3.6 in Ableton Live.
Example Usage
Let's start by creating a unique and evolving synthesizer patch with Complex 3.6 to add texture to your piece:
- After downloading and installing Complex 3.6 from the provided URL, open your Ableton Live session.
- Drag the Complex 3.6 device into a MIDI track to instantiate it.
- Start by exploring the preset tones – with 3 new tones added in the latest version, you have a variety of starting points. Click on the preset menu and select one that intrigues you. Listen to how it sounds by playing a few notes on your MIDI controller.
- Now, let's create movement in our sound by tinkering with the built-in LFO. Find the LFO section and adjust the Rate to taste – slow rates for more gradual modulation, fast rates for vibrato or more radical effects.
- In the oscillator section, experiment with the Linear FM feature introduced in version 2.1. Adjust the FM amount and tuning to hear how frequency modulation changes the timbre of the sound.
- Add expression to your melody by using the Glide function, updated in version 3.0. This will create smooth pitch transitions between notes, simulating a portamento effect. Use the Glide knob to control the time it takes for the pitch to slide from one note to another.
- Finally, let's incorporate some of the unique tones Complex 3.6 offers. Experiment with combining different waveforms or adding sub-oscillators to fill out the lower frequencies.
- Once you have a sound you like, record a MIDI clip into your track, and let your newly crafted Complex 3.6 patch bring a fresh sonic character to your music.
By following these steps, even as a novice, you'll be able to start using the Complex 3.6 device to expand your sound palette within Ableton Live, whether you're aiming for ambient textures, cutting-edge leads, or experimental soundscapes.
Immerse yourself in the world of Complex 3.6, a versatile synthesizer modeled after the ethos of modular systems. Perfect for intermediate users, this Max4Live device offers a panoply of sonic sculpting possibilities. With its latest update, Complex 3.6 now includes three additional tones, enhancing its already robust palette.
Let's explore how to use Complex 3.6 to create a dynamic, evolving soundscape within Ableton Live.
Step 1: Layering Tones Launch Ableton Live and drag Complex 3.6 onto a new MIDI track. Begin by selecting one of the new tones for a rich harmonic foundation. Engage the oscillator section and stack various waveforms; experiment with the unique timbres each one brings to your sound.
Step 2: Intricate Modulations Dive into the world of modulation by assigning the LFO to manipulate your oscillator pitch for a subtle vibrato or a chaotic modulation effect. Explore the Linear FM feature to introduce complex harmonic content into your patch, bringing a metallic or bell-like quality that tracks with your note selection.
Step 3: Push Interaction If you have a Push controller, take advantage of the updated push3 support. Map key parameters of Complex 3.6 to the Push's encoders for hands-on control. Tweak the filters, adjust the ADSR envelopes, and modulate effects in real-time, bringing a tactile element to your sound design process.
Step 4: Sequencing Motion Utilize the internal sequencer to craft a sequence that plays with the stereo field. Employ the glide functionality—enhanced in version 3.0—to slide between notes, creating a sense of movement and momentum.
Step 5: Textural Exploration Harness the experimental edge of Complex 3.6 by experimenting with the glitch function fixed in version 3.5. Activate the feature and tease out stutters and artifacts that add a layer of complexity to your rhythmic structures.
Step 6: Integration with Live Record your performance or sequenced passage into a clip in Session View. Continue to refine your sound by automating parameters such as FM depth or LFO rate over time, allowing Complex 3.6 to interact organically with your composition.
By combining these features, Complex 3.6 becomes a playground for sonic innovation. As you tweak and fine-tune your synth parameters, remember that experimentation is key. This instrument device invites you to redefine the conventional and build textures that are uniquely yours.
Share your creations with the Ableton community or incorporate them into your next live set. Whether you're creating a backdrop for an ambient piece or the core of a dance track, Complex 3.6 is a formidable tool in your Ableton Live arsenal.
Further Thoughts
One of the most exhilarating ways to explore the sonic landscapes of Akihiko Matsumoto's 'Complex 3.6' within Ableton Live is by utilizing its stereo independent capabilities to create pulsating polyrhythmic textures that truly bring a composition to life.
Picture a scenario in which we are scoring a cinematic piece that requires both dynamic tension and an organic feel. In this setting, we will leverage the Complex 3.6's dual independent monophonic channels to weave together two contrasting but harmonious lines of synthesis.
Begin with the left channel set to a Buchla-inspired complex waveform, utilizing the Linear FM addition from version 2.1 to lace it with fine overtones that add an edge of unpredictability. Modulate this with one of the LFOs programmed to a slow rate, shaping the FM index to evolve the timbre subtly over time.
On the right channel, take advantage of the latest version upgrade (ver. 3.6) that included 3 more tones. Select a different tonal palette - perhaps a rich, verbos-esque sine wave with just a touch of frequency modulation, to achieve a deep and resonant counterpoint to the left channel's timbral complexity.
Now for the interplay, sequence a polyrhythmic pattern that sees the left and right channels creating a dynamic stereo image. With the Push 3 support mentioned in ver. 1.6, you can perform this sequence live, giving a tactile feel to the creation process. Have the modular-style sequence pulsating on the left, with a slow, evolving pattern at a 5/4 time signature while maintaining a standard 4/4 rhythm on the right, giving a sense of grounding to your listeners.
In this setup, the glide feature updated in ver. 3.0 becomes a powerful tool. Glide settings slightly differ between the two channels to smear notes into each other in unexpected ways, always maintaining a lush and cohesive soundscape.
Furthermore, taking advantage of Ableton Live's MIDI effects, insert a MIDI Random effect before the Complex 3.6, and judiciously dial in settings that sporadically alter the note values. This brings an element of controlled chaos into an otherwise strictly organized rhythmic pattern, mirroring the unpredictability of live modular synthesis.
To top off our sonic creation, employ the device's enhanced FM range to modulate drum samples loaded into the Complex 3.6. This can result in percussive elements that echo the timbre and feel of the synthesized lines, effectively binding the rhythm and melody together.
As our cinematic piece comes together, the Complex 3.6 serves as the core of our Ableton session, illustrating its capacity to breed life into music through its independent stereo control and depth of modulation capabilities, ensuring that our soundtrack carries a truly unique and immersive character.