The Modulator is the Ableton controller I always dreamed of. I designed and developed it over a 2-years project as part of my live techno set.
Any parameter in Ableton can be mapped to the Modulator. It can then be overwritten with precise control (2048 steps) via a high-torque knob on the controller and smoothly sent back to the actual automation.
You can watch the 2min video about it or scroll down for a quick overview:
Functional Principle
1. Map Parameter
Drop a Modulator Node (Max for Live patch) in Ableton and map it to a parameter.
It will instantly appear on the Controller.
2. Name Parameter
Once you spread controls all over the set you will be happy to see their names!
3. Use Control
From here on you can use your control, just like with any MIDI controller (but with higher precision).
4. Set Default Automation Value
Every parameter has a default value (can be an animation, see 7). If it is not zero, it is shown in the gauge. The colour is automatically fitting the track colour.
5. Left Button for 1 second Transition
Hitting the left button triggers a smooth s-curved transition from your current modulation position (overwriting the default) back to the default.
6. Right Button for Variable Transition
Hitting the right button does the same but with a variable transition time that you can define with a fader on the Modulator.
7. Automated Default Value
The default value can be automated. That gives you the possibility to interact with dynamicly chaning values. The transition always matches the moving default…
Why another Ableton Controller?
There are plenty of controllers out there for performing electronic music live. However, none of them met my needs, even if I had combined them.
Here are the most important features I built into the Modulator:
- Modulate any parameter in Ableton and blend it back into its automation smoothly
- Schedule these blends in real time
- Continuous knobs (endless potentiometers) read with 10bit accuracy (2048 steps)
- Track colour, location and name + jump-to-parameter function
- Only show active parameters (and hide inactive)
Endless Potentiometers?
The Modulator hosts 16 very special knobs: they are analogue potentiometers, but continuous and endless! You didn’t know they exist? We neither and the internet as well! That is why we documented our journey and our research about them on Github.
Furthermore you can find a 5 Minutes Talk I gave at the 38c3 (unfortunately with broken sound in the live stream):
The Process
Impressions of the long way to Version 2 of the Modulator.
Background
I will write more here in a week!