In the world of electronic music production, achieving the perfect sustain when building chords can often be tricky. Enter Auto Sustain 1.0 by em4live, a MIDI device which has been ingeniously crafted to solve this very problem. The utility was specifically designed for Ableton Live 11.0 and makes use of Max 8.1.9. If you have ever longed to recreate the subtle nuances of a piano's sustain pedal in your Ableton Live session, then this tool could be your new favorite MIDI companion.
This MIDI marvel operates by automatically sustaining all notes, releasing them only when you lift every digit from your keyboard or controller. Then when you strike new notes, the sustain re-engages automatically, maintaining your newly played notes in a beautifully sustained fashion. It mirrors the mechanism of a sustain pedal on a piano, but without the need for the actual pedal. To make the most of this, when playing chords with both hands, hold at least one note with your left hand and release it as you complete your chord progression.
Suited ideally for both live performances and studio productions, Auto Sustain 1.0 enables musicians to deliver intricate and expressive performances, reminiscent of playing an acoustic piano, but within the virtual workspace. It negates the need for a physical sustain pedal and offers a seamless midway between digital production and traditional piano playing techniques. Whether you are piecing together a complex chord progression or are in the throes of an emotive live set, this MIDI device proves invaluable.
Despite being a commercial utility, it adds immense value to any Ableton Live setup primarily because it brings the dimension of acoustic characterization to this digital audio workstation. Since its addition to the comprehensive realm of Max4Live on April 21, 2024, this device has not received an update, reflecting on its robust and comprehensive initial design.
Those interested in exploring this seamless solution for perfect note sustaining can download the Auto Sustain 1.0 from em4live's website, accessible on https://maxforlive.com/library/device/10308/auto-sustain.
In summary, Auto Sustain 1.0 serves as a bridge between classical piano playing and the digital music production realm. Its perceptive design and intuitive use make it a perfect companion for Ableton Live users. Efficient and effective, this device is truly a marvel of Max4Live MIDI effects. Thus, it isn't just an answer to sustain woes but an integral asset for any Ableton Live session. Claiming its rightful space under effect and utility tags, Auto Sustain 1.0 is dexterously crafted to transform the way chords are played and enjoyed.
Example Usage
Imagine you're assembling a heartfelt piano piece in Ableton Live, and you crave that smooth, lingering sound that a real sustain pedal grants to your melodies and harmonies. Here's how to achieve this with Auto Sustain 1.0, making your MIDI keyboard feel more like an acoustic piano without even having a physical sustain pedal.
Begin by installing Auto Sustain 1.0. You can find the device at em4live's Gumroad page, which is available for purchase and download.
Next, ensure you're running Ableton Live 11.0 and Max 8.1.9, as these are the versions that the device was initially configured for.
Once you have Auto Sustain 1.0 downloaded and installed, follow these simple steps to start using it in your project.
- Open Ableton Live, and go to your MIDI track where your piano sound is loaded.
- Drag and drop the Auto Sustain 1.0 device onto the MIDI track, placing it before the instrument in your device chain.
- Now, it's configured automatically – no intricate tweaking needed. Simply play your chords.
- While playing your pianistic creations, make sure to hold down at least one note in your chord, particularly with your left hand. This simulates pressing down the sustain pedal on an acoustic piano.
- When you're ready to move to a new chord, lift all fingers, and then start the new chord. Auto Sustain 1.0 will release the sustained notes right when your hands are ready to form the next one.
The beauty of this is the seamless transition between chords, akin to the natural ebb and flow of a pedal on a grand piano. A continuous carpet of sound underpins your playing, all without the need to juggle an actual sustain pedal with your foot. Auto Sustain 1.0 intuitively understands when one chord ends and a new one begins, creating an effortless playing experience.
With just these few steps, you're now equipped to give your creations the sustained, emotional depth that stands out in a mix, thanks to the Auto Sustain 1.0 device. Happy playing, and may your chords resonate with newfound life.
Imagine you’re layering a lush ambient track with celestial pads and evolving textures that require smooth transitions without abrupt changes in your chords. While performing this live, you’re tasked with modulating various parameters with your right hand, leaving your left to manage chord progressions. Auto Sustain 1.0 by em4live comes to the rescue, simulating a continuous sustain pedal that allows your chords to ring out with fluidity and cohesion.
Consider this practical usage scenario for Auto Sustain 1.0 in a live ambient performance:
- After installing Auto Sustain 1.0, drag and drop the device onto a new MIDI track in your Ableton Live project.
- Connect a MIDI keyboard and map the device to receive input from the keyboard.
- On this new MIDI track, load your favorite atmospheric pad sound from Ableton's instrument rack or a third-party VST plugin.
- Enable the record arm for the track, ensuring that the MIDI input from your keyboard is active and Auto Sustain 1.0 can affect the incoming notes.
- Begin slowly building your ambient piece by playing a sequence of chords with your left hand, allowing each chord to transition smoothly into the next. The device will sustain the notes, even as you modulate effects with your other hand, providing a seamless backdrop for your evolving soundscape.
- As you progress through your performance, pay attention to the natural ebb and flow of your chord progressions. You can lift all fingers when you wish to switch chords completely, and Auto Sustain 1.0 will release the previous notes as you introduce new ones.
- To add variation and dynamics to your piece, consider incorporating strategic pauses or quick chord changes. Since Auto Sustain 1.0 bases its sustain function on your playing, these moments of silence or rapid movement will add interest without interrupting your control over other parameters.
- If there are parts of your performance where precise control over note duration is required, you can temporarily bypass Auto Sustain 1.0 by deactivating the device within its track. Reactivate it when you're ready to return to the lush, extended soundscapes.
In your composition, Auto Sustain 1.0 is more than a tool; it's an intelligent musical partner that respects the essence of your performance, maintaining the integrity of your creative flow and significantly enhancing the immersive quality of your ambient music. By adopting this device in a live setting, you unshackle one hand from sustain duties and gain additional expressive freedom, thus captivating your audience with the profound depth and continuity of your sound.
Further Thoughts
Imagine sculpting an ambient soundscape, where every chord you play on your MIDI keyboard blends seamlessly into the next, emulating the dreamy quality of a sustained piano, yet you have no sustain pedal on hand. The Auto Sustain 1.0 by em4live comes to the rescue in such a scenario. This MIDI effect for Ableton Live is essential for artists who desire to create flowing textures without interrupting their creative workflow to fiddle with a pedal or manually sustain notes.
To showcase the capabilities of Auto Sustain 1.0 in a practical setting, consider a situation where you are composing an atmospheric track. Here's how you can integrate Auto Sustain 1.0 into your Ableton Live session:
- Incorporate the Device: - Start by downloading Auto Sustain 1.0 from the provided link and drag the device into any MIDI track containing a pad sound. Ensure that the destination instrument responds well to sustained notes.
- Experiment with Chord Progressions: - Play a chord progression where you'd typically use a sustain pedal, noting how Auto Sustain 1.0 holds the chords for you. Utilize your left hand to anchor the sustain by holding at least one note down.
- Creative Textures: - Take advantage of the automatic sustain feature and layer melodies with your right hand. Observe as the melodies intertwine with the sustained chords, creating a lush, expansive sound without requiring a pedal.
- Dynamic Transitions: - Release all notes and immediately transition into a new chord or note sequence. Auto Sustain 1.0 automatically releases the previous sustain, allowing for a smooth and responsive musical phrase transition, which is crucial for live performances or dynamic compositions.
- Adaptation in Complex Performances: - During more complex passages, where both hands are occupied with fast note changes, the Auto Sustain 1.0 will intelligently sustain notes as long as at least one note is held. Once released, the device resets the sustain, prepping for the next chord.
- Automation & Midi Mapping: - Although Auto Sustain 1.0 primarily operates automatically, you can still MIDI map its bypass control to a key or a button on your MIDI controller for instances when you desire immediate manual override without manipulating the device directly within Ableton Live.
By integrating Auto Sustain 1.0 into your Ableton projects, you no longer need a physical sustain pedal to achieve continuous sonic landscapes. This device not only offers practical solutions for live performers but also enables studio musicians to craft complex and emotive pieces that maintain the organic flow and resonance of their music. Auto Sustain 1.0 exemplifies simplicity and efficiency, proving to be an invaluable tool in any electronic musician's arsenal.