Max4Live has always been synonymous with an insatiable quest for innovation within music creation. A testament to this notion is 'Grid SEQ Params 6.1', a device created by Akihiko Matsumoto that has been attracting considerable attention in the music community, especially among those enthusiastic about modular synthesis and Ableton Live. This innovative device employs Ableton's API technology effectively not only to regulate an array of parameters in Ableton Live but also in VST plugins. What makes it even more impressive is that it doesn't stop there; it is equally proficient at relaying CV/Gate signals via audio out to modulate modular synthesizers.
Delving into a more detailed look at Grid SEQ Params 6.1's features, one can easily appreciate the range of applications it has to offer. Akihiko Matsumoto has designed it as a creative tool, a utility, and everything in between. Encouraging myriad possibilities, it seats itself comfortably across various styles of music making, including glitch and DJ styles.
This Max4Live device aligns well with the needs of users who revel in experimenting with the vibrant interplay between the abstract world of modular synthesis and the structured control provided by Ableton Live. The full extent of this interplay can be grasped by watching the demonstration video, where the device is used to alter the sounds of a minimoog CV.
Grid SEQ Params 6.1 is compatible with both Live 10.1.18 and Max 8.1.5. It is also available for commercial use by purchasing a license. Those who are keen on exploring the features of this device can download it from the given link.
To ensure that users get the most out of this Max4Live device, Akihiko Matsumoto has made Grid SEQ Params 6.1 a participant in the m4l hack event. This provides a golden opportunity to learn about the vast potentials of the device from the designer himself.
It's crucial to note the unique characteristics of Grid SEQ Params 6.1. The device executes a multitude of operations in a single platform, owing to its attributes like LFO, sequencer, and utility. Also, the device’s exploration into hardware integration offers a fantastic stepping stone for creative music producers to merge their digital workspace with their beloved analog gear.
To sum up, 'Grid SEQ Params 6.1' can indeed be the game-changer in your music production journey. So don't miss this chance to enrich your sound vocabulary with a tool that promises to connect the digital world with the analog in ways that offer endless sonic possibilities.
Example Usage
Grid SEQ Params 6.1 by Akihiko Matsumoto is a Max4Live device that brings the flexibility of a modular sequencer to your Ableton Live environment. If you're new to this device, let's walk through a simple example on how to utilize it in your music production.
To start, let's use the Grid SEQ Params 6.1 to modulate a parameter on a virtual instrument:
- Load your VST Instrument: Begin by loading any virtual synthesizer onto a new MIDI track in Ableton Live. Suppose we're using a soft synth that emulates a classic like the Minimoog.
- Insert the Grid SEQ Params 6.1: Drag the Grid SEQ Params 6.1 device onto the same MIDI track after your virtual instrument.
- Open the Grid Interface: Click on the grid interface button in the device to open the step sequencer view.
- Select the Target Parameter: Click the 'Map' button on the Grid SEQ Params 6.1 and then twist the knob on your soft synth that you want to control. For example, you could choose the filter cutoff frequency.
- Create a Sequence: Draw a pattern on the step sequencer. Each step corresponds to a value that the Grid SEQ Params 6.1 will send to your chosen parameter.
- Adjust the Rate: Set the speed of the sequencer using the 'Rate' control. If you want it synced to your project's tempo, make sure to choose one of the note value options like 1/16 or 1/4.
- Play your MIDI Clip: Start playing a MIDI clip or just hit the keys of your MIDI keyboard. You'll hear the pattern you've created on the Grid SEQ Params 6.1 modulate the sound of your virtual synthesizer in real-time.
- Fine-tune the Modulation: Use the device controls to adjust the depth and behavior of the modulation to taste, experimenting with different sequences and rates.
Remember, the Grid SEQ Params 6.1 can also output CV/Gate signals. If you have a modular synth, you can send these signals directly to your hardware by routing the audio output from Ableton Live into your modular's CV input, creating a powerful bridge between digital and analog synthesis worlds.
Happy modulating!
Let's explore the potential of the Grid SEQ Params 6.1 by Akihiko Matsumoto to breathe life into your modular synth sequences within an Ableton Live environment.
Imagine you’re looking to create a dynamic and evolving lead line with your modular synth that interacts with your Ableton Live project. After connecting your modular system to Ableton via a DC-coupled audio interface, you’re ready to use Grid SEQ Params 6.1 to control and animate your synthesizer's parameters in real-time.
First, load up the Grid SEQ Params 6.1 device onto a new MIDI track in Ableton Live. Ensure that the track's output is correctly routed to the CV/Gate inputs of your modular synth, allowing the device to effectively communicate with your hardware.
Next, select the parameter on your modular synth that you wish to modulate. For this example, let’s choose the filter cutoff frequency. Back in Grid SEQ Params 6.1, we must assign this parameter to one of the sequencer’s lanes. By clicking on the 'Map' button, hover over your synth's cutoff parameter in Ableton's automation lane to map it accordingly.
Now that you have the cutoff frequency mapped, set the sequencer to a length of 16 steps to coincide with your lead line progression. Choose a waveform to modulate this parameter; let’s select a sine wave for a smooth, evolving alteration of the filter cutoff.
Begin drawing in some automation points within the sequencer – you might start with a gentle slope upwards, before introducing a sharper decline. As you do this, you’ll notice your modular synth's filter respond in real-time, following the dynamic pattern you’ve created within Grid SEQ Params 6.1.
The real beauty is in the detail – so don’t hesitate to experiment with the sequencer’s update rate and depth, to see how they influence the speed and range of your modulation. For instance, speed up the rate to create a rapid, rhythmic texture, or extend the depth for a more drastic filter sweep.
To add further variety, let’s make use of Grid SEQ Params 6.1's 'Random' function. Introduce a touch of randomness to the filter cutoff sequence every fourth bar to inject unexpected twists into your performance, keeping your listeners engaged.
Lastly, to integrate your modular synth more deeply with your Ableton project, automate the parameters of Grid SEQ Params 6.1 itself. Try automating the 'Depth' control so that during a break in your track, the filter modulation becomes more pronounced, before pulling back for the drop.
By utilizing the Grid SEQ Params 6.1 device, you've not only integrated your modular synth seamlessly into your Ableton Live set but also unlocked a new realm of expressive potential by creating complex and organic modulations that resonate with both the analog and digital realms of your production.
Further Thoughts
To truly showcase the power of Grid SEQ Params 6.1 by Akihiko Matsumoto in controlling modular synths through Ableton Live, let's delve into a complex scenario where we intricately manipulate a Eurorack system for a dynamic performance.
Firstly, set up a session in Ableton Live with several audio tracks designated for CV/Gate outputs. Load Grid SEQ Params 6.1 onto each track. Ensure that you've configured your audio interface outputs to send CV/Gate signals to your modular synth's corresponding CV/Gate inputs.
We begin with programming a foundational bass sequence to drive our modular patch. On our bass track with Grid SEQ Params 6.1, map the sequencer to oscillators' pitch CV and gate time, effectively dictating the rhythm and pitch of our modular bassline. Modify the step values to generate a complex sequence—perhaps in an unusual time signature like 7/8 to add an element of interest.
Next, create a percussive texture using your modular's noise source and filters. On a new track, program Grid SEQ Params 6.1 to output a series of triggers at irregular intervals by manipulating gate on/off. Simultaneously, assign another sequence line to control a lowpass filter's cutoff frequency to create a dynamic, evolving timbre followed by swift bursts of rhythmic noise.
Add atmospheric elements by sending LFO rates and depths from Grid SEQ Params 6.1 to modulate the Eurorack's reverb and delay parameters. With the device's flexible sequencer, draw in automation curves for both rate and depth, making them ebb and flow across your sequence, crafting an ever-changing soundscape that reacts organically to the rest of the mix.
For an expressive lead synth, use a separate Grid SEQ Params 6.1 track to output polyphonic CV/Gate signals. Layer your sequence with varied step lengths and pitch values to create a captivating melody. Utilize the device's ability to sequence parameter changes to introduce vibrato or tremolo at pivotal moments in your melody line by targeting your oscillators' fine-tuning or an amplitude modulating VCA.
In a live performance context, assign Grid SEQ Params 6.1's parameter controls to an Ableton Push or another MIDI controller. This enables you to morph sequences on the fly, adding accents, rolls, or parameter sweeps with the touch of a button, creating a highly responsive and immersive live modular synthesizer experience.
With Grid SEQ Params 6.1, the bridge between the digital domain of Ableton Live and the analog world of modular synths is not only crossed but expanded into a superhighway of creative possibilities. Your Eurorack becomes an extension of your digital workflow, offering a level of precision and flexibility in modulation that fully harnesses the esoteric nature of modular synthesis.