The arpeggiator pattern transposes individual sequence steps. Building A Sequencer MIDI Effect RackĤ: The iPad application StepPolyArp combines a step sequencer with an arpeggiator. Also keep in mind that you can use Live's Groove Pool to move beyond the rigid time of step sequencing. Combining the two separate-clips approaches gives you much more flexibility for creating and manipulating asynchronous loops. For polyphonic step sequences, either add notes to the clip or place several monophonic clips on separate tracks routed to the same instrument. My preference is to stick to one- or two-bar clips placed in adjacent clip slots and use Follow Actions to move among them. For example, you could automate the Pitch knob of Live's Pitch MIDI effect to transpose different repetitions of a one-bar step sequence (see Screen 2).įor sequences longer than one bar, simply lengthen the one-bar template and duplicate its base notes. Don't forget that you can unlink clip envelopes. Use them to send MIDI CC messages as well as to automate the controls of any plug-in on the same track. Live's clip envelopes provide that function. Some step sequencers also offer controller lanes for automating device parameters. Here you use note length and the clip's Velocity editor for that. Setup for the Velocity rack's chains is shown at the top, with the Velocity, Note Length and Pitch effects at bottom.Most step sequencers let you edit note duration (aka gate time) and velocity. The Scale effect (named 'Trigger Display') at the left is a visual aid: the orange squares turn green in response to incoming notes. The Macro Knobs of each rack set the eight steps of the sequence. Alternatively, you could use a Pitch effect to transpose the clip.ģ: The step sequencer (middle) uses separate MIDI Effect Racks for velocity, note length and pitch. To change the root of the guide-notes scale, unfold the clip, select all notes and move them up or down. If you hold Shift, the notes move in octaves - this is how you extend the range while staying within the guide-notes scale. To edit the step sequence, select individual notes and use the up and down Arrow keys to move them to the desired pitch (hold the Ctrl or Command key to move between notes). They serve as guide notes, so that when you Fold the clip, step-sequence notes are restricted to the chromatic scale from C3 to B3. Notice the stack of deactivated notes on the left.
![favorite step sequencer ableton favorite step sequencer ableton](http://mk16.kapetan.net/pic/live.jpg)
If you have a keyboard shortcuts utility such as QuicKeys ( set up a shortcut for this. Being able to activate and deactivate notes is more authentic than inserting and deleting them, and you do it from Live's Edit menu or from the note's context menu (right-click or Ctrl-click). Notice that all notes not on a beat are deactivated - if you play this sequence you'll hear only notes on the beats.
![favorite step sequencer ableton favorite step sequencer ableton](https://dt7v1i9vyp3mf.cloudfront.net/styles/news_large/s3/imagelibrary/L/LiveTech_04-0412-2VxRkhWrrX0Tp79BvnKC2YkaiJC7Nkc8.jpg)
The sequence is one bar long with a note on each 16th-note division. Screen 1 shows a typical step-sequencing clip template.
#Favorite step sequencer ableton software#
But starting with a template MIDI clip containing a note on each grid division and then activating and deactivating notes and moving them up and down to change their pitch is much more in the spirit of hardware and software step sequencers. The unlinked, four-bar controller lane at the bottom automates a Live Pitch device to transpose successive one-bar repetitions of the step sequence.Īny time you enter notes in a MIDI clip with the mouse when Snap to Grid is enabled (Options menu), you are basically step sequencing. A Step Sequencing State Of MindĢ: This one-bar, 16th-note step sequence uses velocity and note length to emulate a step sequencer's velocity, gate time and tied note options. I'll start with a description of the MIDI clips method, which has become my favourite approach, and then delve into the alternatives. So, as you'll have guessed by now, our subject this month is step sequencing. Furthermore, many commercial hardware and software step sequencers work well with Live.
#Favorite step sequencer ableton download#
Max For Live users can download a huge assortment of free step sequencers developed by other users. With not too much effort you can build a basic step sequencer from Live's MIDI Effects devices and use the knobs on any supported MIDI control surface to program it. MIDI clips in Session view offer a fully featured approach to step sequencing that requires minimal setup and no additional software or hardware. If you're a fan of step sequencing, Live is more than up to the task.
![favorite step sequencer ableton favorite step sequencer ableton](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GVilj3bChHY/maxresdefault.jpg)
The clips at the bottom illustrate different grids and scales. Use the Shift key to move notes by octaves.
![favorite step sequencer ableton favorite step sequencer ableton](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oO_vJXj8w-U/maxresdefault.jpg)
To program your step sequence, select a note, activate it if it is deactivated (grey) and move it with the up and down Arrow keys. The notes on the left are guide notes for the clip Fold operation. 1: The top MIDI clip serves as a template for a one-bar, 16th-note, chromatic-scale step sequence.