Less is more: addition by subtraction is the name of the game.

Created by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred, this generative MIDI performance effect is designed to mute steps of incoming MIDI drums, melodies, and harmonies to create variations, build tension, or experiment with different expressions of rhythmic and musical phrases. You can do this manually for full control - or just enable Auto Dice to let the good times roll.

Optimized for Push with full automation labels and Info View annotation, Subtraction Engine is ready for high-level play straight away. Experiment, have fun, and capture results to new MIDI or Audio Clips by recording them to other tracks in Live.

Subtraction Engine’s large Dice button randomises all eligible Step states to instantly produce new 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 set individually. By reducing a Step’s Probability to 0% you can Lock it, excluding it from randomization for highly programmable control.

Clicking the Manual toggle to switch into 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 for creating continuous variations on percussion patterns — with Locked Steps perpetually exempt. Adjust Cycle settings to impose polymetric note gating on patterns of any length.

Version: 1.75 (2024.03.05) — already purchased v1.x? View these update instructions.
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: Subtraction Engine device, 16 presets, Utility Boost, user guide.
Note: Subtraction Engine does not produce MIDI notes — notes must be fed into it.
Included with: Ultra Bundle, Max MIDI Bundle.