ModUPlo

Live is Modular

Modular is Love

Version: 0.3.2

I find that one of the more fun and gratifying ways to use Ableton Live is as a Modular Synthesizer. ModUPlo is a set of building block to help achieve that end.

ModUPlo are set up so that they take an input, and (generally) output something. They may take an input and change it back to an output, or transform it into another output entirely.

Downloading

For now there is no official release, so Download the latest as a zip file.

Contents

First there is the set of general blocks. By analogy, these are your 2x2 or 2x4 multicolored blocks. They are general use bricks without a purpose in mind.

There are also a set of specific blocks that scratch my itchey-witchy-toeey-woseys. By analogy these would be your little puppy or construction worker figures.

Inputs and Outputs

Moduplo Explains what it takes as input and output by confusing tiny icons. Don’t worry. You can also use the mouse and hover over the logo to get a full description in the live info box.

The inputs and outputs are:

• Midi Notes
• Transport (metronome, etc.)
• Audio
• Parameters
• Trigger
• Gate

The parameter inputs are essentially knobs, and can either be twiddled by mouse, or mapped to. Parameter outputs have map buttons that are intended to be mapped to other devices.

Triggers are currently ill defined. A trigger input is any parameter greater than 64. A trigger output sets a parameter to 127 for a 64th note.

Gates are also ill defined. Input: < 64 off, > 64 on. Output: 0 off 127 on

General Blocks

These general use blocks could theoretically be used for anything. They all started as a way to scratch a particular itch of mine, but were generalized.

PolyPhony - Count concurrent note on messages

Ever wanted to send a parameter based on he number of midi notes held? This module is for you.

You could turn a mono-synth into a polysynth by dumping it in a rack, duplicating it, and putting one of these in front.

NoteAte - Turn a Midi note into a Parameter

Monophonic. Converts notes into parameters.

8StepSeq - A simple 8 step sequencer

A very simple 8 step sequencer. Made to be used with a piece of hardware for on-the-go parameter fun.

Average - 2 Control Messages Enter, one Control message leaves

There are times that I want 2 sources to control 1 parameter. This solves that.

DynamicControl - A building block for a compressor

a little bit like an envelope follower, but really only concerned about threshold. Once the audio reaches a certain level it starts sending out parameter messages. The Speed controls how reactive Dynamic Control is: from kinda-quick to molasses slow.

• and - output 2 basically bullshit scales, find out which one is right for you!

Random8 - On any of 4 Triggers outputs 8 random values

Randomizes 8 parameters. 4 triggers are provided, and are in order of precedence (most significant trigger first). That means you could map the last 3, while saving the first one for manual control.

LongCount - Every 64 / 128 / 256 / 512 bars Output a Trigger

Counts Bars, outputs a Trigger. Simple really.

YouKlid - A Euclidian Trigger Generator

Give it a number of onsets, a length, offsets, and a beat, and it generates Euclidian rhythms for you.

Try chaining this to Makenote and then a drum rack.

abACABad - An Abacabadaba generator that is on power of 2 boundaries

Generates a simple abacabadaba pattern. You specify the rate in beats, and the “order” and it will generate patterns like:

• 0
• 0 127
• 0 64 0 127
• 0 32 0 64 0 32 0 127
• 0 16 0 32 0 16 0 64 0 16 0 32 0 16 0 127

MakeNote - A UI to view midi notes, and generate them from gates/pulses

Shows you what note is being played, or allows you to use control messages to create notes. If fed a pulse (top) the

The pink line below the keyboard shows the range of human hearing when mapped to midi notes.

Specific Blocks

These are less generic blocks and fit specific needs for me. They may also fit for you!

ScAle - Scale notes according to Push or Push 2 scale setting

Like the Live Midi Scale object, but takes the scale from Push (2) and scales incoming midi to that. Also respects Root note.

It needs a better display.

AckSent - The TB-303 Accent Circuit Emulator

This does a velocity based emulation of the TB-303 Accent Sweep circuit based on the description by insane-genius Robbin Whittle https://www.firstpr.com.au/rwi/dfish/303-unique.html

First, any incoming velocities are set to 1 if they are less than 64, and 64 if they are higher. If notes with velocity greater than 64 are played in rapid succession the output velocity gets set to higher and higher.

You can use the accent knob to change the amount, and the light signals when you’ve hit the highest amount.

While not a perfect recreation of the TB-303’s accent (the accent has it’s own envelope) this is pretty close, but you can map it to any parameter, like say distortion, lfo speed…

TempoCalc - Everyone builds their own. I am no exception.

Making a BPM to millisecond converter is the Max for Live equivalent of building a scheme interpreter.

This is mine.

Change Log

v0.3.2

Enhancements

• Dynamic Control works on stereo signals
• Dynamic Control has output meters
• ScAle now displays what and how it’s scaling
• ScAle has a gate / on/off switch
• You can collapse MakeNote

v0.3.1

Bugfix

• YouKlid offset works right
• Started Librarification

v0.3

Generative Music Scheme

• Added alpha-quality devices to help with generative music
• Make a trigger abstraction
• Added Gates as a thing
• Started using Sekrut Alien Technology as an extension language.

v0.2

Versioning and 2 devices!

• Added LongCount (may be broken)
• Added Random8

v0.1

Initial commit to repo