/beatrmatrix-mk2-arduino-based-ableton-controller

An open source controller for Ableton Live

Primary LanguageC++

beatrmatrix mk2 Ableton controller

An open source Arduino based controller for Ableton Live.

Demo video

Functions

  • 16 step sequencer with velocity control
  • adding notes directly to Ableton's piano roll/sequencer
  • modifying the loop length (start and end too)
  • Ableton session view clip launching
  • 3 mapable potentiometer to control anything Ableton
  • visual feedback through smd RGB (ws2812b) LEDs, indicating MIDI notes, velocity, step position, loop length and clips in session view

Communication

The beatrmatrix device is simply a controller for the Max patcher (serial communication). All the "magic" happens within the patcher. The max4live patcher uses the live API to communicate with Ableton Live.

magic

Parts

-Arduino Nano -the PCB, with the smd soldered ws2812 LEDs -19x 6x6x5mm tact push button -3 10k potentiometers

Getting started guide

Connection

  1. connect the device to your computer
  2. open Ableton
  3. drag and drop the max4live patcher to the first track (it has to be a midi track)
  4. select the right serial port
  5. load a drum kit or any instrument after the patcher

Patcher UI

ui

MIDI NOTES:

You can choose which 8 MIDI notes you want to edit and display on the beatrmatrix device.

NOTE VELOCITY:

It's a display, but you can also change it from the UI too. For example, if it shows 127, and you place a new note, it will have a velocity of 127. If you change it, it will only be applied to the new notes you add.

SERIAL PORT:

Here you have to select the port to which the arduino is connected.

MAP CONTROLS:

You can map the 3 pots on the beatrmatrix to any Ableton parameter. Pot "A" is mapped to note velocity by default, but you can change that too.

Mode selection

There are 3 buttons on the top of the device labeled 'E', 'S' and 'P'. They are used to switch between the 3 modes: editing (sequencer), loop length, and clip launching. The switching is seamless; it doesn't pause audio or interrupt playback, so you can easily switch between modes during a live act too.

Editing/Sequencer

  • press button 'E'
  • press a button from 1-8 to select the midi note you want to place (For example, if you have set the first note output to 36 in the UI, which triggers a kick drum, selecting the first note output with the first button allows you to place the kick in the sequence.)
  • now you can place the midi notes to the Ableton sequencer by pressing the buttons 1-16
  • if you want to place other notes you have to press 'E' again then select an other midi note
  • before you place a note you can always change it's velocity (by default with the first pot)

Loop length

  • press button 'S'
  • there is a yellow LED indicating whether you can modify the beginning or the end of the loop
  • the blue leds are showing the loop length, and position
  • to change the beginning or the end of the loop press a button from 1 to 16 IMG_E2874

Clip launching

  • press button 'P'
  • now you can launch clips which are in this 4x4 box shown in the picture
  • track 1: buttons 1-4
  • track 2: buttons 5-6
  • track 3: buttons 9-12
  • track 4: buttons 13-16

clip launch grid

led color meanings

  • yellow: the clip slot has a clip
  • green: the clip is playing
  • green blinking: the clip is triggered and it will be played

If you'd rather not build it yourself, you can order it on Tindie

https://www.tindie.com/products/beatrmatrix/ableton-controller-mk2-beatrmatrix/

  • Fully Assembled
  • DIY Kit
  • Just the PCB board

Support the project

Paypal