Chance Engine

Escape the loop: add compelling variety to MIDI patterns in Process mode - or bring dynamic new MIDI to life in Generate mode...

Created by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred, Chance Engine is designed to add controlled yet random fluctuations to the most important parameters of incoming MIDI drums, melodies, and harmonies in real-time. Produce musical variations by adjusting the probability incoming notes will play, be held, or change in velocity, octave, and pitch.

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Velocity, octave, and pitch ranges are easily specified, while the resulting output can be transposed, all within a selected key and scale. Note pitch can be randomized with each new note-on message or at specific rhythmic intervals, with three modes of note randomization to choose from: pure Chance, stumbling Drunk, or a Fluid mode based on quantum modelling of particle motion in liquid that results in uniquely lyrical output. All parameters are available for automation, modulation, and real-time MIDI control via any configured controller - and optimized for Push.

Switching from default Process mode to Generate allows Chance Engine to produce its own MIDI notes internally. Adjust your base MIDI note manually in the default Internal mode, or set it to Receive mode to adjust base note transposition via MIDI input. Then select a rhythm by combining a metrical base rate with a multiplier, along with optional offset — or go freestyle using millisecond timing instead. Generated output is then probabilistically processed by the randomization controls as described in Process mode. Better yet, use the unique Gate and Side modes to produce vibrant musical conversation between different MIDI tracks. Experiment, have fun, and capture your results to new MIDI or Audio Clips by recording them to other tracks in Live.

WATCH OUR IN-DEPTH TUTORIAL WALKTHROUGH FOR v1.0...

NEW IN VERSION 1.6

Base rate division in Generate mode for more flexible rhythmic output.

NEW IN VERSION 1.5

NEW RANDOMIZATION MODE

Added a new randomization mode, Decide, similar to the recently added mode in Pattern Engine, wherein pitch randomizations will be selected between two possible note-relative values specified by the minimum and maximum pitch randomization sliders.

NEW TIMING SECTION

Added a new timing section consisting of:

• Swing quantization chooser (None, 8n, 16n, 32n);
• Swing intensity slider (only active with a swing quantization value other than None selected);
• Swing chance dial (only active with a swing quantization value other than None selected and a swing intensity value above zero) - this allows you to randomize whether eligible notes will be swung on a per-note basis;
• Humanize slider to add additional, short, randomized delays, with higher values increasing both probability of notes being delayed and the maximum delay length, up to 100ms.

Main Process mode features:

• Randomize the chance notes will play, be sustained, or be humanized
• Randomize the chance velocity, octave, swing, or pitch will change within constrained ranges
• Pitch can be randomized every note, or set to randomize at nearly any rhythmic interval for controlled musical changes
• Four pitch randomization modes: Chance, Drunk, Fluid, and Decide
• Transpose in octave and semitone intervals via two separate controls
• All MIDI output conforms to one of 69 included scales in any key, fully integrated with bundled Global Hub
• All parameters available for automation, modulation, and MIDI mapping
• Default Process mode transforms incoming MIDI input according to the controls above; switch to Generate mode to open up new parameters and produce MIDI output on its own

Additional Generate mode features:

• Two MIDI modes, with default Internal setting the base pitch of generated notes via note slider; Receive mode takes base pitch from incoming MIDI, allowing you to program melodic progressions within which randomization will occur
• Three unique playback modes for interactive composition: Free generates pulses regardless of input; Gate only generates pulses if incoming MIDI notes are held; while Side is the inverse, only generating pulses between incoming MIDI notes
• Time modes let you toggle between metrical intervals or milliseconds, with either mode inheriting the nearest interval from the other for seamless transitions
• Intricate rhythmic control over pulses, with a base rate specified anywhere between 128th notes and whole notes, including dotted and triplet options – while the rate multiplier allows for unique polymetric cycles; for example, a base rate of 16n with a multiplier of 7 will produce a pulse every seven 16th notes
• Optional offset base rate with multiplier staggers the start of any pulse rhythm, configurable in the same way as the main pulses

Requires: Ableton Live Suite 10.1.x or higher running Max 8.1.x on Mac or PC (Live 11 may be required for Presets).

Includes: Chance Engine device, 16 presets (8 Process + 8 Generate), Utility Boost, manual.

Included with: Ultra Bundle, Max MIDI Bundle.