Five 12 style sequencing in Live 6.0

booyah · Post by **booyah** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:28 pm

Ableton we need analog step sequencing for Ableton Live 6.0 it's long over due Ableton team. Thanks.

WWW.Five12.com

What is Numerology?

Numerology is a modular sequencing and audio plugin environment for Mac OS X. It takes sequencing and modulation metaphors established by the analog sequencers of the 70's, and implements them in a structured and highly interactive software environment designed for experimentation, improvisation and live performance. By using Numerology in conjunction with your choice of Audio Unit plugins and hardware synths, you can create an open compositional environment that is truly your own.

Primary Features:

* Step Sequencing
* Modular Sequencing
* Audio Unit Hosting
* Parameter Modulation
* Integrated Audio and MIDI Mixing
* MIDI Generation:
MIDI Notes, CC, NRPN, Pitch Bend
* MIDI Learn
* Advanced Preset Management
* Song Arrangements
* Performance-oriented design

What's New:

Multi-Channel Audio I/O

Route your guitar or hardware synth through the Audio Unit effects of your choice, or output your sequenced synths through mutliple output for external mixing and processing.

Custom Clock Divisions

Not happy with the same-old even-division based sequencing stuff? Then try Numerology 1.4's new custom clock division capabilities. You can define any division of a beat from 1/1 to 32/32. That not enough? Then modulate your custom divisions with ParamMod for even wackier effects.

Triple X-Y Module

Not quite your garden-variety XY Controller, this module adds constant-time glide for building smooth parameter changes, long-form transitions, or --with the help of an LFO or two-- complex generative sequences.

Other Cool Goodies:

Groove Clock

Numerology version 1.3 adds powerful new tempo and timing controls in the form of the GrooveClock module. In addition to allowing you to tweak timing at the level of 16th notes, you can assign modulators to tempo, or even use multiple clocks. With this clock, swing-time is just the beginning.

MIDI Input

The new MIDI Input module allows you to setup Numerology as a virtual synth rack. Or you can use this module to drive the arpeggiator modes in the Matrix Sequencer, or to generate control information for other twisted purposes.

Matrix Sequencer

This flexible grid-based sequencer can be used to create polyphonic or monophonic sequences, or used for drums. It can also be used as an arpeggiator, complete with note sorting and latch modes.

Audio Unit Hosting

Numerology lets you run Audio Unit synthesizers and effects directly in the program, including mixdown of multiple instrument groups to a stereo output. In addition to the selection of Apple AUs included with OS X, you can add AUs from the growing number of commercial and free-ware Audio Unit synths, samplers and effects. Create a virtual studio that is truly your own. An up-to-date list of AUs is available at osxaudio.com.

Included among the standard Apple AU offerings are a DLS/Sountfont sample playback engine (complete with a custom Numerology interface) high-pass, low-pass, and band-pass filters, high and low shelving filters, graphic and parametric eq's, and delay and reverb modules. All the basics to get you started. Even if you never add another AU to this selection, the creative use of parameter modulation and sequencer programming can quickly take you into uncharted musical territory.
Parameter Modulation

Numerology's Parameter Modulation module allows you to quickly add automation to almost any module parameter, including Audio Unit parameters. This seemingly simple addition opens up a world of new possibilities for sequencing and timbral manipulation:

* Create chaotic sequences by using one sequencer to modulate the start position or clock division of another sequencer.
* Modulate parameters on AU synths and effects to create phrase-level timbral changes.
* Integrate sounds from your hardware and software synths by modulating both from the same control source, by using both parameter modulation and CC or NRPN output.
* Explore the world of glitch by modulating non-continuous parameters, such as some delay and reverb parameters on Apple AUs.
* Create complex control values that you can perform in real time by modulating LFO parameters from another LFO or sequencer, and assigning key parameters to be controlled by a hardware fader box.

LFO Module

The Dual LFO module is a great source for generating control signals, either to generate pitch or velocity values for notes, act as a control source for Numerology's MIDI CC or NRPN output modules, or to modulate other parameters. This module includes two low-frequency oscillators that each have a number of powerful features:

Pulse width control over all waveforms LFO period programmable in increments of 1/16 notes, beats or measures, for LFO times as long as 100 measures, or directly in Hertz. Controls for waveform level, starting phase, rectification and inversion. Hard Sync setting, to automatically reset the LFO in time with your music. All parameters can be modulated to create complex waveforms.

And There's More...

* Sequencer triggering features make it easy to setup fill patterns, or other 'sparse' textures.
* You can now setup MIDI remote control over group-level volume, mute & solo. You can also setup MIDI control of important sequencing parameters (such as clock division) across all sequencers in a group.
* Numerology has two options for UI graphics: a lighter, 'Metal' UI (shown above) for daytime and contrast-challenging conditions, and a darker 'Studio' UI for use in low-light situations.
* An updated sync reception algorithm improves sync to MIDI clock when using unstable sources, and avoids drift over long periods.

polyslax · Post by **polyslax** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 2:18 pm

Numerology is an amazing app. Any Mac using musician who's into sequencing should give it a spin. I tend to use it in a fairly random fashion to generate lines and phrases that would never occur to me otherwise. Throw some Augustus Loop on it and away you go!

bonomius · Post by **bonomius** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 3:26 pm

numerology 2 will support rewire, but don't know when will be released, it's still in alfa.

smart1123 · Post by **smart1123** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 4:26 pm

Just bought numerology, wikked. Was looking for something to program battery with and boy did I ever find it, spent about 40 minutes doing tutorials and building a template and I was off, lots more to learn still, but it's already doing what I bought it for.

ishimaru · Post by **ishimaru** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 5:34 pm

I dunno looks cool but I'm not too impressed. Reaktor can do lots of those things and more.

polyslax · Post by **polyslax** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:21 pm

ishimaru wrote:I dunno looks cool but I'm not too impressed. Reaktor can do lots of those things and more.

Say what?

Numerology doesn't deal in audio at all, just midi, so I don't think there's a lot of overlap with Reaktor.

Per Boysen · Post by **Per Boysen** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:41 pm

booyah wrote:Ableton we need analog step sequencing for Ableton Live 6.0

I too love Numerology! Yes, it would be cool to have such stuff in Live but do you really think that's planned? If so, there would have been some hints at that direction, but there aren't. Why wish for that in Live when you can buy Numerolgoy? One thing from Live that I miss in Numerology is the Freeze Reverb - it's just so cool.

ewik · Post by **ewik** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:05 pm

what sequencing can you do in numerology that can't be done in live?

Per Boysen · Post by **Per Boysen** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:20 pm

some things right of the top of my head;

- control many parameters from one controller.
- sequnce the global groove quantize map (affects ALL playing sequences and changes the overall feel of the music in a subtle way.
- turn MIDI sequences backwards.
- easily change clock division... (speeding up, slowing down like insane...)

well... that should do

claudek · Post by **claudek** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 7:34 pm

I tried Numerology and find the idea good but ugly as hell and crashes alot.
Their development is really slow too. Rewire support was supposed to be done a year + ago.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 9:07 pm

ishimaru wrote:I dunno looks cool but I'm not too impressed. Reaktor can do lots of those things and more.

Reaktor needs quite a few tweaks to get something this cool, I think.. Please, hook us up with the link that proves us wrong

Personally I love doing seqs in reaktor, it's soo cool. But it ain't perfect. And a built-in step seq would rock my world...

tedriot · Post by **tedriot** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 9:17 pm

Yeah me too I use Numerology, Astrology, Tarot & Feng Shui

polyslax · Post by **polyslax** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 9:29 pm

claudek wrote:I tried Numerology and find the idea good but ugly as hell and crashes alot.
Their development is really slow too. Rewire support was supposed to be done a year + ago.

It's a 1 man show, so yeah it's not the fastest development schedule, but Jim is great... very responsive and dedicated to his baby.

No crashes here (10.4.2).

And a sneak peak at the v2 UI is here:

http://www.five12.com/n2sneak1.jpg

booyah · Post by **booyah** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:33 pm

OK first I would like to give big thanks to every one who replied to this topic for I do feel that this is critical feature that should be implemented in Live and it should be taken very seriously by the Ableton software development team. By us talking about this issue maybe if we make enough noise they will listen to our screams.

What I think needs to happen is 2 new analog step sequencer plug-ins for Ableton Live 6.0 this would solve the problem and take the existing Live software into a whole new direction, one plug-in for drums, and one bass lines, lead lines.

If that is not in the works for Ableton 6 the just fix the midi editor in Live. What do I mean well it is simple draw mode feature need to be fixed?

Solution that would get us on our way to a type of analog style step sequencing in Live.

Whenever you're in draw mode right now in Live 5.0.2 when you left click the mouse and hold that left button down on the mouse you are only allowed to go side to side left or right. This feature is not given the user the ability to have full access to what the midi editor is and should be capable of Ableton. There needs to be a third option in draw mode a real time draw mode of which when in draw mode you could go vertically and transposition, or horizontally to change their position in time in real time without ever letting go of the mouse button. This would give the live user so much more freedom and it would give you an analog style step sequencer feel of which would work great for coming up with quick riff in real time. This would work much better for drums because while in draw mode you could just move up and down and hear the results immediately without ever letting go of the mouse button from the start of the first note until you done coming up with your drum line or synth line.

Again start with the Editing of MIDI Notes and Velocities. Example Live 5.0.1 now works like this? Switch to Draw Mode by activating the Control Bar's Draw Mode switch. The user now has the ability to draw in notes right to left in realtime without ever having to let go of the mouse button from the start of the first note. Draw mode is where the user need to be given the freedom to draw in notes up and down side to side without letting go of the mouse button from the start of the first note to the Finnish. Example select draw mode you now click the first note that you wish to draw in the Midi Editor you should not have to let go of your mouse button to draw in the next note while still holding the mouse button you should be able to move freely up or down and the note's would fallow, yes that right vertically to change their transposition, or horizontally to change their position in time with you ever letting go of the mouse button.

Live 5.0.2 now works like this MIDI notes into the Note Editor with the mouse. Deactivating Draw Mode allows notes to
Be selected and moved around by clicking and dragging, either vertically to change there
Transposition, or horizontally to change their position in time. This has to be a part of draw mode or make this part of draw mode.

I hope you guys get the point I'm off to take my daughter to school so forgive me for any errors in my writing guys. Thanks.

Machinesworking · Post by **Machinesworking** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 2:36 pm

ishimaru wrote:I dunno looks cool but I'm not too impressed. Reaktor can do lots of those things and more.

Reactor can't host other AU/VST like Numerology can, and it's CPU intensive comparatively.

What I would like to see more than a step sequencer in Live is simply the ability to route MIDI from things like Reactor to another AU/VST instrument. If this happened then 512 could release Numerology as a AU/VST plug in for Live. This would basically be the best improvement I could want, I'm not sure it's possible with AU/VST spec though?