Created by electronic music enthusiast and Max for Live device author, markusschloesser, The Division Department - 01 IV 3 is a groundbreaking MIDI device that promises to open new doors for any drummer or producer who yearns to harness an extensive range of possibilities from The Division Department's drum synth "01/IV".
Dubbed as the bridge that connects Ableton Live and 01/IV, this Max for Live device has pushed the capabilities of the original synthesizer to new heights. It eliminates the tactile limitations of the physical drum synth by enabling users to control all the Continuous Controller (CC) parameters and reset features through the digital realm. This broadens the creative spectrum of the drum synth as it electronic musicians can now access, edit and automate all the hidden functions that were once beyond reach – features that traditional knobs were unable to wield.
To fully understand how revolutionary this device is, let's understand what Continuous Controller (CC) parameters are. CC parameters are MIDI messages that control various aspects of sound such as modulation, expression, and more. They are like invisible levers pulling strings behind the scenes to make the magical soundscapes we hear in electronic music. With this device, the once rigid limitations imposed by the physical drum machine knobs, which lack the flexibility and extensibility, have now been completely obliterated - thanks to the complete digital control over the CC parameters that The Division Department - 01 IV 3 provides.
Yet, the current version of The Division Department - 01 IV 3, despite its impressive functionalities, is somewhat marred by some minor constraints. For instance, its design lacks the visually appealing aesthetics electronic music producers often crave. It also doesn't offer patch storage – a feature that electronic musicians would love to have for convenience and for recreating their favorite sounds. But given its utilitarian focus, these absent extras do not detract from its main selling point – a device that opens the 01/IV to a world of unseen potentials.
The device was built on versions 11.3 of Ableton Live and 8.1.5 of Max – the two powerhouse software that have defined electronic music production. Since its release in October 2023, it has offered a revolutionary solution to manipulating a drum synthesizer's full potential, opening a universe of possibilities that many electronic music producers never thought possible.
However, it is important to note that The Division Department - 01 IV 3 is licensed under AttributionNonCommercialShareAlike, requiring appropriate credit and indicating if changes were made. It can't be used for commercial purposes, and if you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
In summary, The Division Department - 01 IV 3 strips away the inherent hardware limits of a traditional drum synthesizer, giving electronic music enthusiasts a chance to venture into uncharted territories. The Division Department - 01 IV 3 delivers an open-ended realm of discovery where users can finally plot their unique journey through a once rigid landscape. It is not just a MIDI device; it is a new dawn in the world of drum synth manipulation.
Exciting new updates are anticipated so stay tuned! For now, users can download the device from markusschloesser's GitHub repository, ready for musical exploration and innovation!
Example Usage
To get started with The Division Department - 01 IV 3, follow these steps:
- Download and install The Division Department - 01 IV 3 Max for Live device from the provided GitHub link: [Download Link](https://github.com/markusschloesser/m4l_01-IV).
- Launch Ableton Live 11.3 (or higher) and open a new or existing project.
- Create a new MIDI track by clicking on the "Create" button at the bottom of the Ableton Live interface and selecting "MIDI Track."
- In the track's device view, locate the "The Division Department - 01 IV 3" device and drag it onto your MIDI track.
- Connect your hardware drum synth "01/IV" from The Division Department to your computer using a MIDI interface or USB.
- In Ableton Live, select the MIDI input and output ports corresponding to your hardware drum synth in the track's "MIDI To" and "MIDI From" drop-down menus, respectively.
- Start playing your hardware drum synth, and you'll notice that all the CC parameters and reset features are now controllable through The Division Department - 01 IV 3 Max for Live device.
- Take advantage of the device's ability to access, edit, and automate all the hidden functionality of the 01/IV drum synth that isn't available via knobs.
With The Division Department - 01 IV 3 Max for Live device, you can unlock the full potential of your hardware drum synth and delve into its hidden power. Experiment with different CC parameters, automate changes over time, and explore new sonic possibilities. Happy synthesizing!
One intermediate-level usage example of the Max for Live device "The Division Department - 01 IV 3" could be to create dynamic drum patterns by automating the hidden functionality of the 01/IV drum synth.
Start by loading the "The Division Department - 01 IV 3" Max for Live device onto a MIDI track in Ableton Live. Connect the MIDI output of the Max for Live device to the MIDI input of the 01/IV drum synth.
Next, access the hidden parameters of the 01/IV drum synth by using the various controls and options provided in the Max for Live device. Experiment with the different CC parameters and reset features to discover unique sonic possibilities.
To create a dynamic drum pattern, start by programming a basic rhythm on a MIDI clip in Ableton Live. For example, place kick drum hits on beats 1 and 3, and snare drum hits on beats 2 and 4.
Now, using the Max for Live device, automate the hidden functionality of the 01/IV drum synth to add variations and modulation to the programmed drum pattern. For instance, you can automate the CC parameters to introduce filter sweeps, envelope changes, or pitch modulation to individual drum hits.
By automating these hidden parameters, you can transform a simple drum pattern into a complex and evolving rhythm. Experiment with different automation patterns and combinations to create your desired sound.
Remember to save your Max for Live device settings in a preset for future use. You can also map the CC parameters to hardware controllers or Ableton Live's built-in MIDI mapping to perform live adjustments and improvisations.
With "The Division Department - 01 IV 3" Max for Live device, you can truly unleash the hidden power of the 01/IV drum synth and take your drum programming to the next level.
Further Thoughts
The Division Department - 01 IV 3 is a powerful Max for Live device that allows you to unlock the full potential of the drum synth "01/IV" from The Division Department. With this device, you can control all the CC parameters for the 01/IV and even access the hidden functionalities that are not available via physical knobs.
One of the most exciting features of The Division Department - 01 IV 3 is its ability to automate the hidden functionality of the drum synth. By using this Max for Live device, you can now create dynamic and evolving drum patterns by automating parameters that were previously inaccessible.
To demonstrate this, let's take a look at an expert-level usage example. Imagine you have a drum pattern with a snare sound on the 01/IV. By using The Division Department - 01 IV 3, you can automate the decay parameter of the snare to add variation and create a sense of movement in your pattern.
First, insert The Division Department - 01 IV 3 as a Max for Live device in your Ableton Live 11.3 set. Make sure you have the 01/IV drum synth connected to your MIDI interface and set up as an external instrument in Ableton Live.
After loading the device, navigate to the automation section within Ableton Live's arrangement view. Locate the decay parameter for the snare sound on the 01/IV and right-click on it to reveal the automation options. Choose "Configure" and select a parameter slot in The Division Department - 01 IV 3.
Once the parameter is configured, you can start drawing automation curves directly in Ableton Live's arrangement view. Experiment with different shapes and patterns to create interesting variations in the snare sound's decay. You can also use Ableton Live's automation tools like curves, breakpoints, and scaling to further refine your automation.
With The Division Department - 01 IV 3, you have the ability to precisely control and automate the formerly hidden features of the 01/IV drum synth. Your drum patterns will come to life with evolving and dynamic sounds that were not possible before.
Download The Division Department - 01 IV 3 from [here](https://github.com/markusschloesser/m4l_01-IV) and unleash the hidden power of the 01/IV drum synth. Explore all the CC parameters, automate the hidden functionalities, and take your electronic music production to the next level.