Pattern Engine

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.

Pattern Engine is creative magic potion. I use it to start all of my sessions now and have built it into my default Ableton template. It offers quick access to really good melodic ideas. It blows away every other similar plugin I have.
— Boreta

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.

Pattern Engine is the current Matriarch of randomizable step sequencers. This bonkers MIDI effect expands and explodes the previously linear territory traversed by its sequencer contemporaries. From controllable melodic explorations to generative fractals of musical potential, Pattern Engine leans into the mutant half-light betwixt Steve Reich theoretics and Robert Hood pragmatics. To call this sequencer "classic" would be to do it a disservice. This is the beating heart of the future we are yet to hear, and there are ghosts in this future machine.
— Deepchild

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.

PRESS FOR PATTERN ENGINE:
ATTACK MAGAZINE

It’s been a lot of fun to see what comes up using this tool to sequence my modular system. A great sequencer for getting instant flow. Looking forward to using this more!— Mike Shannon

Providing immediate access to expansive realms of musicality, Pattern Engine unlocks new possibilities to drive any hardware or virtual instrument.

Requires: Ableton Live 10.1.x or higher running Max for Live 8.1.x on Mac or PC.

Includes: Pattern Engine device, 16 presets, Utility Boost, manual.

Included with: Ultra Bundle, Max MIDI Bundle.

Pattern Engine is absolutely incredible, powerful, pure magic. I have been using this tool for awhile now. It has transformed my songwriting process and is totally central to my workflow and creative process. There's nothing like the wondrous process of creating an exchange and dialog with chance and chaos and harnessing it for creating art and expression. An invaluable, special, indispensable product.— Dean Grenier

WATCH OUR DETAILED WALKTHROUGH TUTORIAL FOR v1.0...

FEATURES

• 16 steps with independently randomizable mute, pitch, velocity, length, and tie
• Auto-randomization 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 and per-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 69 included scales in any key, fully integrating with the included Global Hub
• All parameters available for automation, modulation, and MIDI mapping when exempted from auto-randomization

NEW IN VERSION 1.6

• Clock rate multiplier and division options for flexible rhythmic output
• Improved clock handling on certain systems.

NEW IN VERSION 1.5

• New randomization mode: 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.
• Range randomization: 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.
• Key Relative mode: 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 locking: 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.
• Optimization: Swing timing has been significantly improved, along with a variety of performance optimizations.