ManifestAudioGbR’s Metasketch 1.0 is a revelation to Ableton Live 12 users seeking to extend their composition abilities particularly in the realm of MIDI sequencing. One of its paramount features is its capacity to identify the current note grid interval and length spontaneously, allowing for instantaneous musical sketching through intricate pattern-drawing possibilities. While the built-in Shapes generator only allows 16 points, Metasketch provides one point for each available interval that artist can freely click and draw.
Beneath this main interface, more controls are available to fine-tune your creation process. You can determine the base velocity and length of notes, as well as the overall density of the pattern you’ve designed. Additionally, Metasketch provides pitch constraints, ranging from floor and ceiling limits, which impart a range for your creativity to work within. Notably, the count masking feature overlays unique rhythmic patterns on the sketched output. This versatile tool is an invaluable addition to your digital music studio.
As part of the MIDI Toolset 001, Metasketch augments your musical catalog alongside Metaflux, Metarhythm, Metapath, Euclidifier, and Fluctuator. Metaflux integrates seven different randomization algorithms to construct novel melodies and chords, while Metarhythm pushes polyrhythmic expression to new heights. Metapath, on the other hand, allows you to artistically sculpt new melodic paths. The supplementary tools push the boundaries further - Euclidifier imposes distinctive rhythmic patterning onto the existing sequences, Fluctuator introduces dramatic changes, Inebriator nurtures more subtle alterations, and Mutator enables note activation to rapidly innovate pattern variations.
This doesn’t end here. Octavator offers randomized transpositions by octave, while Swinger randomly applies per-note shuffle timing. With Tether, artists can randomly add note ties, and Tilter can adjust chance, velocity, and length on a key-scaled, pitch-relative basis. To top it all, these impressive MIDI tools are scale-aware and backed by annotated 'Info View' to enhance your creative experience seamlessly.
The Metasketch 1.0 requires Ableton Live 12.x running on Max for Live 8.6.x that’s compatible with both Mac and PC.
Metasketch brings the power of exquisite sequencing right to your fingertips and its abundant features cater to a variety of musical needs. As an Ableton Live 12 user, you will appreciate the versatility it provides, and your creations will thrive with the integration of this robust tool.
For those interested in leveraging the full capabilities of this device, Metasketch 1.02 and the entire MIDI Toolset 001 by ManifestAudioGbR can be downloaded at: https://manifest.audio/allmax/midi-toolset-001http://
For more information and updates, make sure to visit its detail page on the Max for Live library at: https://maxforlive.com/library/device/10183/metasketch.
Example Usage
Imagine you're just starting to explore the world of electronic music creation with Ableton Live 12, and you've got Metasketch 1.0 from the MIDI Toolset 001 at your disposal. Here's a fun and straightforward exercise to get your feet wet with this versatile MIDI sequencer.
- Begin by loading a simple drum rack onto a MIDI track in Ableton Live.
- Next, drag and drop the Metasketch device onto the same MIDI track, right after the drum rack.
- With Metasketch open, you'll see a grid-like interface. This is your canvas to paint notes on. The grid aligns with your current note grid interval and length, meaning if you have your grid set to 16th notes, you'll have a point for each interval to click and draw.
- Start by left-clicking on the grid to create a kick drum pattern. You can draw a simple four-on-the-floor beat by placing a note on each quarter note.
- Adjust the base velocity and note length sliders to give your kick drum a dynamic feel — maybe make every second or fourth kick slightly quieter to add some groove.
- Now, let's add hi-hat notes by creating points on the off-beats, and use the pattern density slider to make the hi-hats less frequent than the kicks.
- Set your floor and ceiling pitch constraints to keep the hi-hats within a certain range of notes within the drum rack.
- Play around with the count masking to impose an interesting rhythmic pattern on the hi-hat sequence, maybe creating a syncopated rhythm.
- Lastly, press the play button in Ableton Live and hear your creation come to life. Each click you've made on the Metasketch grid is translating into MIDI notes, triggering sounds from your drum rack.
Experiment with different grid intervals, note densities, and pitch constraints to change up your beats—no MIDI keyboard or drum pad required. This hands-on approach with Metasketch makes drum programming easy and intuitive, especially for beginners eager to experiment with beat-making in Ableton Live!
Imagine you're crafting a new track and want to infuse it with some intricate melodies that go beyond the typical step-sequencer patterns. Metasketch 1.0 can be your key to a well of endless musical inspiration, especially when paired with Ableton Live 12’s MIDI capabilities. For this intermediate usage example, let's delve into creating a melody with unexpected rhythmic turns and pitch variations using Metasketch's unique features.
Step 1: Setting Up the Workspace Begin by loading Metasketch into a MIDI track containing a soft synth preset that suits a lead melody. Ensure that your MIDI clip is set to the appropriate length and grid interval, directing Metasketch to provide the correct number of points for drawing.
Step 2: Drawing the Base Melody With the sequencer open, use your mouse to intuitively draw a melody within the grid. Think of it as sketching out your musical ideas directly onto the screen; the points will represent note pitches and the intervals between them.
Step 3: Adjusting Pitch Constraints Take a look at the floor and ceiling pitch constraints at the bottom of the Metasketch. Here, we'll establish the limits of our melody range. Create a pitch constraint to C2 and C4, ensuring your melody falls within two octaves range. This will make your melody coherent and more manageable while preserving the room for creativity.
Step 4: Exploring Density and Rhythmic Patterns Next, alter the pattern density to create a more sparse or dense melodic line, depending on the feel of your track. Experiment with count masking to apply different rhythmic patterns to your drawn sequence. Perhaps a dotted-eighth-note pattern will add the syncopation your track was missing.
Step 5: Fine-Tuning Velocity and Length Adjust the base velocity and length for each note, which can grant your melody a more dynamic expression. Subtle variations in velocity can make the difference between a flat sequence and a lifelike melody, breathing new energy into your creation.
Step 6: Harnessing Randomization Algorithms Dive into one of Metasketch's seven randomization algorithms by tweaking the settings to generate variations of your initial pattern. This can be a great way to stumble upon melodic lines you wouldn't consciously compose.
Step 7: Applying MIDI Tool Transformers Once you're satisfied with your sequence, experiment with combining Metasketch with other MIDI Tools such as Tether or Swinger to introduce note ties or shuffle timing, further enriching your melody.
Step 8: Recording and Tweaking Let Metasketch run in a loop and record the MIDI output to a new clip in real-time. Capture various iterations and then sift through them to find the golden takes or pieces to refine. Extract the best fragments and piece them together, or tweak them manually for your final composition.
Step 9: Integrating with Your Project With your unique, Metasketch-created melody, align it with the rest of your project. Perhaps it serves as a counter-melody to your existing hook, or maybe it's the foundation for a new section. The possibilities are as boundless as your creativity.
Remember, the key to mastering Metasketch is exploration and experimentation. Use this tool to break free from your habitual patterns and discover new melodies that might just define your next track.
For more detailed guidance and additional tutorials, ensure to visit the provided link for Metasketch 1.0, available exclusively in the MIDI Toolset 001 on Manifest Audio: https://manifest.audio/allmax/midi-toolset-001.
Further Thoughts
Imagine you're in the middle of producing a track in Ableton Live 12, but you're hitting a creative wall with your melody construction. This is where Metasketch 1.0 from ManifestAudioGbR steps in to inject new life into your composition process. With its intuitive interface and powerful sequencing capabilities, Metasketch goes beyond the constraints of conventional sequencers, allowing you to quite literally draw your musical ideas into existence.
Let's set the scene for a practical, yet creatively expansive use of Metasketch in an Ableton Live 12 session:
First, start by setting up a four-bar loop with your desired tempo. Load up Metasketch on a new MIDI track and instantiate your favorite synth as the sound source. Now, before diving into drawing melodies, let's establish some ground rules for our sequence using Metasketch's in-depth controls:
- Setting Pitch Constraints: Decide on the key and scale of your track. Let's say we're working in A Minor. Set the 'Floor' to A2 and the 'Ceiling' to A4 to confine your sequence within a specific octave range that complements the rest of your arrangement.
- Determining Pattern Density: Adjust the density slider to 70%, which will give us a rich yet not overwhelming note frequency within our drawn patterns.
- Adjusting Note Length and Velocity: Before sketching, decide on a base velocity of 100 to give our notes enough presence, and a length of 1/16th to match the energetic tempo of the track.
- Implementing Count Masking: This is where we get creative with rhythm. Set a count mask that allows for syncopation within our drawn patterns, potentially sparking unexpected and inspiring rhythmic variations.
- Drawing the Melody: Using your mouse or a touchpad, draw freehand on the grid. Let your creative instincts take over. As Metasketch detects the note grid interval, each movement translates into a potential melody. You could draw quick ascending and descending lines for rapid note changes or gentle waves for a more fluid melodic progression.
- Harnessing Randomization: To add further complexity, utilize the seven randomization algorithms. Select one that offers an element of surprise to your melodic contour.
- Recording the MIDI: Once you're satisfied with your sketch, arm the track and record the sequence into the MIDI clip for further editing or to loop within your arrangement.
- Layering and Texturing: Duplicate the MIDI track, switch out the synth sound for something contrasting, and, with a few small adjustments to the pitch constraints and pattern density, use Metasketch to draw a complementary harmony that interacts with your main melody.
- Live Performance Tweaking: Metasketch isn’t just a studio tool; it's made for performance. MIDI-map the density and velocity parameters to knobs or sliders on your MIDI controller for real-time manipulation, offering a dynamic and expressive approach to live sequencing.
By integrating Metasketch in this way, not only do you push through the initial creative block, but you also discover new melodic ideas that traditional step sequencing might not inspire. The seamless link between visual input and sonic output makes Metasketch a standout sequencer in the MIDI Toolset 001, offering a playground for both the meticulous producer and the spontaneous performer in Ableton Live 12.