Device Details
Device Overview
| Name/Version: | Pattern Engine 1.7 |  |
| Author: | ManifestAudioGbR | |
| Description: | 16 steps to infinity: discover new worlds of musical possibility with our flagship generative performance sequencer. Designed by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred to combine powerful algorithmic features with performance-friendly interaction design, Pattern Engine is geared for instant inspiration. Simply click the global dice to seed new musical ideas with minimal effort, or engage auto-randomization to unfurl endless worlds — without sacrificing intricate per-step control. Each of Pattern Engine’s 16 steps can be manipulated and randomized across five dimensions: Mute (on/off), Pitch, Velocity, Length, and Tie (for monophonic glides). Each of these parameters can also be locked on a per-step basis to exempt them from randomization. Auto-randomization can be set to occur globally at intervals measured in bars — or at different bar intervals and probabilities for each auto-randomizing parameter. Four tempo-syncable LFOs are available to govern the pitch of selected steps, creating dynamic melodic contours in a variety of shapes, with per-step LFO control offering intensity with direction and central transposition offset. Outgoing note pitch values can be transposed internally and via incoming MIDI for dynamic performance via real-time input or pre-programmed clips — within 50 scales, in any key. Sequence direction, length, reset, step grid size, and swing are all included as expected, along with handy global settings and six playback modes to interact with MIDI input in a variety of ways, including innovative Gate and Side functions, vintage impulse Trig bank sequencing, or classic arpeggiation. Providing immediate access to expansive realms of musicality, Pattern Engine unlocks new possibilities to drive any hardware or virtual instrument. Pattern Engine features: • 16 steps with independently randomizable mute, pitch, velocity, length, and tie • Autorandomization for mute, pitch, velocity, length, and tie at separate intervals and probabilities • Four syncable LFOs with per-step modulation amounts and offsets for dynamic pitch control • Four pitch randomization algorithms, assignable globally or per step: Chance, Drunk, Fluid, and Decide • Pitch randomization probability and range controllable on a per-step basis • Per-step parameter locks for randomization exemption • Forward, Reverse, Circular, and Random playback modes • Innovative trigger modes including Free, Gate, Side, Trig, Back, and Arp • Optional Swing and synchronized step grid changes for rhythmic experimentation • Sequence Length, Offset, Reset, Start, and Reloop controls • Transpose internally and via incoming MIDI clips or connected controllers • All MIDI output conforms to one of fifty included scales in any key • All parameters available for automation, modulation, and MIDI mapping when exempted from randomization Requires: Ableton Live Suite 10.1.x or higher running Max 8.1.x or above. Includes: Pattern Engine device, 16 presets, Utility Boost, 14-page user guide. New in v1.7: · GUI improvements · Scale awareness for Live 12 & up Change Log v1.6: · Added base rate multiplication and division options for a wide range of rhythmic outcomes · Improved clock performance on certain systems Change Log v1.5: · Added a new advanced pitch randomization mode, Decide, which is accessible by clicking the pitch settings Gear toggle; in Decide mode, a step's pitch will be randomly chosen between two possible notes determined by the current per-step minimum and maximum randomization range values. · With step pitch advanced mode enabled, the reset all step pitches button is replaced by a dice button that randomizes each step's minimum and maximum ranges within the global minimum and maximum range constraints for a more compelling starting point, particularly in the new Decide pitch randomization mode. Clicking the Range Randomization Dice also randomizes all step pitches within their newly randomized ranges. · In the new default Relative mode, a value of 0 on any pitch dial will be updated to the root note of the currently selected key (in MIDI octave 3), ie., in the key of F#, all step pitches will be oriented to F#3 as 0; revert to the legacy behavior where 0 corresponds to C3 regardless of the current key by switching the new toggle to the left of the Receive/Internal button from "/" to "-". Step pitch randomizations also remain relative to the currently selected key in the newly default Relative key mode. · Per-Parameter lane Key buttons toggle all locks on or off on a per-parameter basis (ie., all velocities, all lengths, etc.). The global key button features a more useful toggle behavior which will now lock all unlocked locks before then unlocking all locked locks. · Swing timing has been significantly improved, along with a variety of performance optimizations. v1.32 • Added Time option to toggle from the default metrical Grid mode to unsynchronized millisecond sequencer clock rates, with seamless tempo-matching takeover • Clicking Global Dice for randomize-all functionality now leaves step pitches assigned to LFO control in place • Integrates with bundled Global Hub and X-Relay • Appended Live 11 scales • Bug fixes and optimizations |
Device Details
| Tags | lfo, sequencer, effect, other |
| Live Version Used: | 10.1.18 |
| Max Version Used: | 8.1.5 |
| Date Added: | Sep 21 2021 09:39:13 |
| Date Last Updated: | Mar 14 2024 20:37:36 |
| Device Type: | midi_device |
| Download URL (report link) | https://manifest.audio/allmax/pattern-engine |
| License (more info): | AttributionNonCommercialShareAlike |
Comments
| Thanks for this wonderful feedback, really glad you're happy with it! That balance between generative and performance features is exactly what we were aiming for. :) Ratcheting request duly noted. |
Posted on September 30 2021 by ManifestAudioGbR (report) |
| Wow this seems awesome. And videos are really really informative. Keep up the good work. |
| Thanks for this, maky357! :) |
Posted on January 27 2022 by ManifestAudioGbR (report) |
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Part of what I really like about it is that it works really well in 'set it and forget it' mode but then has some really granular controls that allow it to really be played as an instrument in a live performance setting.
The one feature that would take this to the next level for me would be ratcheting.
Kudos to Manifest Audio for this device!