Octopulse

Did you know the otherworldly octopus has a uniquely distributed neural system? Its central brain is connected to brains in each of its eight arms: nine brains total...

Inspired by this unique lifeform, Octopulse is designed by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred to combine eight individually adjustable pulse generators with global controls that manipulate them in unison — while retaining distinct characteristics, directions, and behaviours.

Each activated pulse “arm” is driven by its own clock, defined by a base musical rate and multiplier, along with controllable length, at a specified MIDI note. Trigger, octave, and velocity can all be randomized to add a wealth of variation. Note values, base rates, and rate multipliers for all arms can be randomized globally, within set ranges; click the global dice to instantly produce a unique starting point. Velocity, duration, and multiplier can be controlled for all steps simultaneously, as well as trigger, octave, hold, and velocity randomization.

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Outgoing MIDI can be transposed via incoming MIDI clips or real-time input for uniquely interactive musical results — all of which conforms to a selected scale and key. An optional cycle reset interval constrains otherwise endlessly sprawling polymetric structures to more predictable bar-length patterns, while a base offset and multiplier can stagger the entire pattern offbeat. Four playback modes allow it to interact with other MIDI elements in a project — or be deployed as an unconventional, retriggering arpeggiator. Optimized for Push with full Info View annotations and bundled Global Hub integration, Octopulse provides a fresh approach to probabilistic polyrhythms. Whether generating unique drum patterns or expansive melodic patterns, Octopulse is applied biomimicry in action.

FEATURES

• 8 x pulse “arms”, each with discrete MIDI note, base rate with multiplier and length factor, offset delay, and cycle length, with randomizable play chance, octave, and velocity
• Global arm multiplier, length, hold, and play, octave, and velocity probability and range controls
• All pulse pitches, rates, and multipliers easily randomized to generate unique starting points
• Optional cycle reset to constrain sprawling polymetric patterns to more musically repetitive loops
• Fully transposable within selected scale and key, pinned locally or conforming to Global Hub settings - and scale aware in Live 12

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

NEW IN VERSION 1.7

• Instrument Mode toggle: Easily switch from melodic to drum programming with the new Notes/Drums toggle, switching all pitches to the standard chromatic notes and scale of most drum racks, starting at C1 or back to melodic programming should you prefer.

NEW IN VERSION 1.6

• Polyrhythmic pulse divisions: In addition to the base rate multiplier, each pulse arm’s multiplied base rate can now be divided as well for an infinite array of unusual tuplets and true polyrhythmic options, along with the polymetric output already on offer.
• Euclidean sequencing: Each pulse arm now has the option to be programmed with a Euclidean sequencer, operating at the currently multiplied (and divided) base rate with 64 steps, filled as needed, and offset as desired - with a unique playback direction mode to explore different approaches to the same Euclidean sequence.
• New Global controls: With the new pulse division and Euclidean sequencing options accessible via the advanced settings pane, global pulse division and reset, global Euclidean editing and unique proportional Euclidean step fill, along with a new all multipliers to 1 button, allow for rapid iteration of new rhythmic ideas on all unlocked pulse arms.

NEW IN VERSION 1.5

• Multiplier mode: Multiplier mode selection provides the ability to specify whether randomized Pulse multipliers can result in any integer (All), odd integers only (Odd), or even integers only (Even); with a global base rate of 16n, Odd will produce more syncopated and compelling rhythms, but if you're using 32n or 64n, using Even ensures resulting randomized rhythms remain coherent even at higher levels of complexity.
• Advanced pulse editing: A new Advanced toggle (accessible via the same gear icon as Pattern Engine) provides access to a second layer of individual options for all eight Pulses, including:
  • Cycle Offset delay for each Pulse configured via Base Rate, Multiplier, and optional additional millisecond delay; in addition to allowing for highly dynamic and flexible rhythmic programming, this finally addresses the issue of all Pulses starting together on the same downbeat.
  • Independent Reset cycle in bars for each Pulse, allowing for far more intricate and useful programming of multi-layered polymetric patterns each with their own cycle length in bars.
  • Separate X Mode (All, Odd, or Even) setting for each Pulse.
  • The ability to Lock: Play (chance of playback), Time (base rate, multiplier, and note length), Note (base pitch and octave randomization), Velocity (base velocity and randomization), and Reset (bar cycle reset) for each Pulse, ensuring any locked settings ignore global randomization and control, instead remaining at your manually specified per-Pulse values.
• Swing: Optional 32n, 16n, or 8n Swing at the output stage.
• Force legato: Force legato output option when any of the three Monophonic (non-Poly) output modes are selected.
• Improved interface: Numerous GUI improvements for clarity and ease of use.

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

Includes: Octopulse device, 16 presets, Utility Boost, manual.

Included with: Ultra Bundle, Max MIDI Bundle.