Unlocking Sustained Notes: A Guide to Using the Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes Max4Live Pack 1.0

The devices included in this pack are:

  1. "Translate Sustain to Note On + Off": This device translates the GM MIDI CC64 (commonly sent from a sustain pedal) to simultaneous note on and note off messages.
  2. "Sustain Buttons": Two buttons, "Sustain-On" and "Sustain-Off," can trigger sustain effects through mouse clicks or MIDI/KEY MAP assignments.
  3. "Sustain Toggle": This device activates both "Sustain-On" and "Sustain-Off" functions with a single toggle button.
  4. "Fix Sustain and Stuck Hanging Notes": Ensures that a "Sustain Pedal Off" message is sent as soon as Ableton Live's transport stops, resolving any issues with stuck notes.
  5. "Block Sustain / CC#64": Blocks all sustain information from MIDI clips or live MIDI note input.

To acquire the pack and learn more about its functionality, visit the following link: [https://blog.abletondrummer.com/how-to-fix-sustain-in-ableton-live/](https://blog.abletondrummer.com/how-to-fix-sustain-in-ableton-live/)

This Max for Live pack is a valuable tool for musicians looking to enhance their MIDI performance and overcome sustain-related challenges in Ableton Live. Check it out and explore more Max for Live devices and resources offered by AbletonKurse at [https://www.abletondrummer.com](https://www.abletondrummer.com). :internal_private_article_id: sustain-notes-and-fix-hanging-notes-pack

The Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes Max4Live Pack 1.0 is an excellently designed toolset aimed at streamlining and enhancing the MIDI performance process, particularly focusing on the manipulation of sustained notes. First and foremost, it provides a seamless solution to the "hanging notes" issue that plagues many Ableton Live users, significantly smoothing out the workflow.

Divided into five distinct Max for Live devices, let's explore each and how they can help you improve your artistic output.

The "Translate Sustain to Note On + Off" device brilliantly translates the GM MIDI CC64, typically sent from a sustain pedal, into simultaneous note on and note off messages. This functionality provides immense control over your notes, allowing you to be much more intricate and meticulous about your note manipulations.

The "Sustain Buttons" comprise two buttons: "Sustain-On", and "Sustain-Off". Both can be triggered either by mouse clicks or MIDI/KEY MAP assignments, hence offering a degree of flexibility. This gives you the ability to trigger sustain effects much more conveniently, offering another layer of creativity to your compositions.

The "Sustain Toggle" device houses both "Sustain-On" and "Sustain-Off" functions with a single toggle button. The benefit here is the simplicity and ease of use, making manipulation of sustain even smoother without needing to switch between buttons.

Moving onto the "Fix Sustain and Stuck Hanging Notes" device, hanging notes are commonly an issue, especially since they tend to stick around unceremoniously when the transport stops in Ableton Live. This device ensures that a "Sustain Pedal Off" message is sent the moment the transport stops, effectively squashing any issues of stuck notes. This resolution is crucial, as it prevents any errors that might obstruct your creative flow.

Lastly, the "Block Sustain / CC#64" device is geared towards blocking all sustain information from incoming MIDI clips or live MIDI note input. This device can be invaluable when you want to create specific rhythmic patterns without the characteristic sustain.

To conclude, the Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes pack is an impressive array of utilities that equip you to manipulate sustain and MIDI performance within Ableton Live. The tools not only serve to resolve ongoing sustain issues but also offer alternative techniques that can introduce a new flavor to your compositions. An effective harnessing of these tools can lead to beautiful, nuanced, and original music pieces. So, go ahead, explore, experiment and make the most out of these devices to fill your performances with intricate details that will leave your audience captivated.

Example Usage

To illustrate how the Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes Max4Live Pack 1.0 can be used by novices, let's consider a simple scenario where a user wants to create a sustained piano sound in Ableton Live without using a physical sustain pedal.

  1. Install the Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes Max4Live Pack 1.0 by following the instructions provided on the download page: [Download Page](https://blog.abletondrummer.com/how-to-fix-sustain-in-ableton-live/).
  2. Once the pack is installed, open Ableton Live and create a new MIDI track.
  3. Load a piano instrument on the MIDI track and select a suitable piano sound.
  4. Insert the "Translate Sustain to Note On + Off" Max4Live device from the Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes pack into the MIDI effects section of the MIDI track. This device allows us to control the sustain using MIDI CC#64 messages.
  5. Assign a MIDI controller to send the sustain message. For beginners, you can use the computer keyboard as a MIDI controller. In Ableton Live, go to the "MIDI" menu and select "Computer MIDI Keyboard" to enable it.
  6. Play some notes on the MIDI keyboard and hold down the assigned sustain key (typically the "Z" key on the computer keyboard) to sustain the notes. Release the key to stop the sustain.
  7. Experiment with different musical phrases and chord progressions, using the sustain feature to add expression and depth to your piano sound.

By following these steps, novices can easily utilize the Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes Max4Live Pack 1.0 to create sustained notes in Ableton Live without a physical sustain pedal. This opens up new possibilities for exploring expressive piano performances and enriching musical productions.

Example Usage: Let's say you're working on a composition that requires sustained notes using MIDI in Ableton Live. You've encountered the common issue of "hanging notes," where the sustained notes don't release properly, causing unwanted overlapping and muddying of the sound. This is where the "Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes" Max4Live Pack 1.0 comes to the rescue.

To fix this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Download and install the "Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes" Max4Live Pack 1.0 from the Ableton Drummer blog. You can find the download link in the article mentioned above.
  2. Once installed, open Ableton Live and load the "Translate Sustain to Note On + Off" Max4Live device onto the track containing the MIDI instrument you want to apply sustain to.
  3. Locate the GM MIDI CC64 control, which is typically sent from a sustain pedal. Use a MIDI controller or keyboard that can send MIDI control messages, and assign a control surface or keyboard key to generate the GM MIDI CC64 value.
  4. Start playing your MIDI instrument, and when you want to activate the sustain effect, send the GM MIDI CC64 value associated with sustain-on to the "Translate Sustain to Note On + Off" device. This device will convert the sustain message received from the MIDI controller into a combination of note-on and note-off messages, enabling sustained notes without any hanging issues.
  5. If you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can use the "Sustain Buttons" Max4Live device. This device provides two buttons: one for "Sustain-On" and another for "Sustain-Off." Clicking the "Sustain-On" button will activate sustain, while clicking the "Sustain-Off" button will release the sustained notes.
  6. For even more convenience, you can use the "Sustain Toggle" Max4Live device. This device provides a single toggle button that triggers both "Sustain-On" and "Sustain-Off" actions. Clicking the toggle button once will activate sustain, and clicking it again will release the sustained notes.
  7. To ensure that the sustain effect is properly disabled when you stop the transport in Ableton Live, use the "Fix Sustain and Stuck Hanging Notes" Max4Live device. This device automatically sends a "Sustain Pedal Off" message as soon as you stop the transport.
  8. Lastly, if you want to block all sustain information from MIDI clips or live MIDI input, use the "Block Sustain / CC#64" Max4Live device. This can be useful when you want to override sustain messages that might be present and control the sustain strictly through the devices mentioned above.

By utilizing the "Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes" Max4Live Pack 1.0, you can unlock the full potential of sustained notes in Ableton Live, avoiding any hanging notes issues and achieving seamless and controlled sustain for your compositions. Download the pack today and elevate your MIDI performances!

Further Thoughts

In this example, we will explore how to use the "Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes Pack 1.0" Max for Live devices to create a unique sustain pedal effect using a MIDI controller other than an actual sustain pedal.

  1. Start by downloading and installing the "Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes Pack 1.0" Max for Live devices from the official AbletonKurse website. You can find the download link in the article.
  2. Once the devices are installed, open Ableton Live 11.3 or a compatible version.
  3. Create a new MIDI track or open an existing one where you want to use the sustain pedal effect.
  4. Insert the "Translate Sustain to Note On + Off" device onto the MIDI track. This device allows you to control the sustain effect using the GM MIDI CC64 message, which is commonly sent from a sustain pedal.
  5. Configure your MIDI controller to send the sustain message, CC64, to the "Translate Sustain to Note On + Off" device. Consult your controller's manual if you're unsure how to assign MIDI messages.
  6. Play a MIDI note on your controller and sustain it by sending the CC64 message. The "Translate Sustain to Note On + Off" device will extend the note's release, creating a sustain effect without a physical sustain pedal.
  7. Experiment with different MIDI notes and sustain durations to create unique sustained patterns in your music.
  8. To add variations to your sustain effect, insert the "Sustain Buttons" device onto the same MIDI track. This device provides two buttons, one for "Sustain On" and another for "Sustain Off," allowing you to manually control the sustain effect.
  9. You can trigger the "Sustain On" and "Sustain Off" buttons either by mouse click or by assigning MIDI or keyboard mappings to them. Customize the mappings according to your preferred workflow.
  10. Try combining the "Translate Sustain to Note On + Off" device with the "Sustain Buttons" device to switch between MIDI-controlled and manual control of the sustain effect in real-time.
  11. Finally, use the "Fix Sustain and Stuck hanging notes" device to ensure that a "Sustain Pedal Off" MIDI message is sent as soon as you stop Ableton Live's transport. This prevents any sustained notes from continuously playing after stopping playback.

By utilizing the "Sustain Notes and Fix Hanging Notes Pack 1.0" Max for Live devices, you can unlock the potential of sustained notes in Ableton Live. Experiment with different MIDI controllers, sustain durations, and manual control options to add depth and expression to your music. Enjoy exploring the creative possibilities!

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