Isotonik Studios has introduced Manifest Audio’s Max for Live device for muting all notes on any given step of a MIDI pattern via any mappable MIDI controller.

Subtraction Engine allows you to create compelling variations of your patterns while performing, or to experiment in the studio. The Push-optimized device comes with full automation labels and Info View annotation, ready for high-level play and experimentation.

Instantly disable or enable all steps with dedicated controls, or use the invert button to swap the mute state of all unlocked steps with a single gesture.

Subtraction Engine’s large Dice button randomises all eligible step states to instantly produce unique variations on a MIDI sequence. The Global Probability Amount slider governs the chance of step states flipping for all steps simultaneously — but step probabilities can also be controlled individually. By reducing a step’s probability to 0% you can lock it, thereby excluding it from randomisation for highly programmable control.

Enbabling Auto Dice mode allows you to create infinitely evolving permutations of any MIDI fed into Subtraction Engine, randomising all unlocked steps at the specified Interval, set in bars. This could be used to generate new melodic riffs at, for example, Intervals of 2 or 4, or to create continuous variations on percussion patterns (with locked steps perpetually exempt, of course). Adjust cycle settings to impose polymetric note gating on patterns of any length. Use the reset function to restart the cycle at a given interval also set in bars.

Available for Ableton Live 10/11 Suite (or Standard with Max for Live installed), the device is priced £12 GBP incl. VAT.

More information: Isotonik Studios