SUBTRACTION ENGINE
V2 Less Is Even More Than Before
Addition by subtraction is the name of the game with this deceptively powerful creative mutation engine…Subtraction Engine is a Max for Live MIDI effect that transforms predictability into creative tension by selectively muting steps of incoming MIDI drums, melodies, and harmonies. Designed for dynamic variation and live performance, it enables real-time manipulation of rhythmic and melodic material through programmable probability, locking, and randomization controls. Use the Dice button for instant inspiration or engage Auto Dice to continuously evolve patterns at musical intervals. Euclidean and Count modes provide structured generative foundations, while Secure and Override modes govern how randomness interacts with locked steps. Route muted notes anywhere in your set via the included X-Relay utility to build complex inter-track interactions and capture evolving variations directly into new MIDI or Audio Clips for further arrangement.
Info View Annotated
Learn all you need to know directly in Live - just open the Info View and hover your mouse over any parameter.
Theme Adaptive
Device colors automatically adapt to your preferred Live theme.
Optimized for Push
All parameters ready and available in Push.
Press for Subtraction Engine:
ASK AUDIO
Learn all you need to know directly in Live - just open the Info View and hover your mouse over any parameter.
Theme Adaptive
Device colors automatically adapt to your preferred Live theme.
Optimized for Push
All parameters ready and available in Push.
Press for Subtraction Engine:
ASK AUDIO
- Increased from 16 to a maximum of 64 Steps
- Polyrhythmic rate options for complex masking cycles
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Full-featured Euclidean and Count programming with discrete Reset and optional Locking
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Randomization of all step chances with amount control
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New Lock state toggle set for clearer pattern protection, inversion, and behavior
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Revamped interface for improved navigation and clarity
- Performance and stability enhancements
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Up to 64 steps of programmable muting for drums, melodies, and harmonies
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Probability-driven masking with step-level locking and randomization
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Secure and Override modes to specify how locked steps behave under randomization
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Euclidean and Count modes for structured, generative omission patterns
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Cycle Reset option to maintain rhythmic coherence across polymetric structures
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Playback direction control including forward, reverse, circular, and random
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Weighted and legacy randomization behaviors for step-level decision logic
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Auto Dice for automated pattern evolution at musical intervals
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Manual Dice for instant randomized variations
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Routing of muted steps through X-Relay for inter-track interaction or capture
- Designed for dynamic performance and arrangement workflows
- New step activation states can be generated automatically at specified intervals, for example creating a new variation every 2 bars, 4 bars, etc., producing continuous yet coherently phrased variations
- Chords are toggled as a single unit — as opposed to Live 11's probability, which treats all notes individually
- Shorter step activation cycles layered with longer MIDI phrases easily create dynamic yet hypnotic rhythmic patterns while adhering to the melodic contour of the original MIDI input
- All steps can be toggled on, off, or inverted simultaneously for highly engaging performance control
- Parameters are available for automation and MIDI or key mapping
Includes: Subtraction Engine device, Utility Boost, manual.
Note: Subtraction Engine does not produce MIDI notes — notes must be fed into it.
Included with: Ultra Bundle, Max MIDI Bundle.