Recipe - Using MIDI generators

Key idea

In this recipe, we’ll use a MIDI generator—in this case, Euclidean Sequencer Pro to create the initial MIDI pattern, which we’ll then feed into other tracks for further processing. We’ll be using some techniques from Tools - MIDI tools and also Process - Routing MIDI and Audio

  1. Place the Euclidean Sequencer Pro generator in a track. As discussed in Tools - MIDI Generators Euclidean Sequencer Pro is a Max for Live device which can be used to generate polyrhythmic sequences of notes, and is typically used for rhythmic patterns and because of this, by default, it only outputs four different notes. Since we’re aiming for more melodic results, we’ll add Random and Scale devices after it to generate a wider range of pitches.

Feel free to set up the Euclidean Sequencer Pro device to generate a variety of pulse Events across a variety of Step values for each note. It’s nice to mix up odd and even Events, Steps and Speeds across the 4 generators. This ensures that we don’t just get a repeating pattern, although it might also be interesting to explore a combination of predictable and more unexpected patterns (balancing the unexpected and predictable!). We can also use modulators to shift the Rotation / offset of the sequences to add additional unexpectedness if that’s helpful.

The image shows a Euclidean Sequencer Pro MIDI Generator device followed by a Random note device and finally a MIDI Scale device quantising notes to the Mixolydian mode.

  1. Now, let’s use some of the techniques we’ve already covered in Tools - MIDI tools , where we take the output from the Euclidean sequencer and then route it to a number of different synth engines while also applying some additional MIDI tool processing.

The image shows six tracks starting with the Euclidean Generator track described above. The output from this track is routed into two other MIDI tracks.

First, let’s take the output from the Euclidean Sequencer in Track 1 (our MIDI Generator) and route it into a MIDI instrument track using a plucky Operator sound - could be a simple sine wave with no sustain and fairly quick decay.

The image shows a Velocity device in front an Operator instrument. The Operator synth has a short plucky sound.

  1. Create another MIDI instrument track where we’re going to take the same Euclidean Sequencer Pro MIDI information, but now use the MIDI Note Echo device to delay the input by an amount (I’m using 16 16ths = 1 bar). Here we are Muting the original MIDI information. Add a Note Length MIDI device to turn the incoming MIDI notes into chords. Muting the incoming MIDI in the Note Echo effect means that we only retain the delayed notes, which avoids a build up of notes and clashes with the incoming MIDI and the delayed MIDI information. We can then use these delayed and “smeared” MIDI chords with a pad sound. I’m using Wavetable, but you can choose any pad sound.

The image shows a Note Echo device which is set to repeat notes after 16 beats, but suppressing the original MIDI input. A Note Length device then lengthens each note to 1.9 seconds before these notes are fed into a Wavetable instrument. This is set to play a resonant pad sound.

  1. Next, create another instrument track and set its MIDI input to the “pad” track we just created. Be sure to set the input to “Post FX” so that we add and transform the MIDI output in our new track. In this track, we’ll add an Arpeggiator MIDI device. We can use a bell like tone for this track. I’m going to use Operator again, with some modulation applied to the second modulating oscillator (which will then vary the tone of the main Sine wave carrier oscillator). I’m also going to apply modulation to the rate of the Arpeggiator device. You can try out various settings here, including using an unsynced or “Free” running Arpeggiator rate. You may need to tailor the amount or range of modulation to get Arpeggiator rates that don’t swing too far between VERY quick and VERY slow.

The image shows an Apreggiator device in front of an Operator instrument. Operator is set to a longer pluck sound decaying over 2 seconds.

  1. Feel free to continue adding additional tracks to bring texture and a variety of tones to your track. I’ve included a “choir” and textured pad tracks. Experiment with where these take the incoming MIDI information from, and how you can manipulate the MIDI further using a variety of MIDI transformation devices.

  2. You could also experiment with other MIDI generators discussed in Tools - MIDI Generators , such as Bouncy Notes, Turing Machine, Less Concepts, etc. The MIDI generating tools provide the raw stream of MIDI notes, but the effects here are used to provide the texture around that sequence.

  3. Press play. Listen to what you hear, and refine settings if necessary.

You can hear my version of this track here: https://soundcloud.com/mikeksmith/4_euclidean_midigenerator/s-qYZKj7UnXXG