Guide: Creating instruments with Max for Live and Ableton DSP (pt. 3)

For the final episode in this trilogy on learning Max for Live and Ableton DSP Objects, we’re going to keep the focus on working fast. We’ll learn how to use Ableton DSP to prototype instruments quickly, play expressively, and hack them with some tricks and mods beyond what the stock Live Instruments provide.

Guide: Get started patching in Max for Live with abl Objects

You know Max for Live can help you create your own instruments and effects in Ableton Live — but you’ve got to take the first step. Max 9’s addition of ABL objects gives you a huge leg up, unlocking Ableton’s own DSP building blocks in ready-to-mod form. Let’s dive straight in, because this is both an easy entry point for absolute beginners and a toolset that’s useful to experienced patchers, too.

Peter Kirn - September 30, 2025

Swimmer is a weird and wonderful modulation source for Ableton Live

Modjaq’s Swimmer is a rare, deep-sea creature, trawled up from the depths of the Max for Live world. This is not your general-purpose modulation source. Think of it like an idiosyncratic Eurorack module — a source of specific gestures and a beautiful, briny gift from the ocean. I recommend embracing the oddness, but even so, […]

Peter Kirn - August 20, 2025

CDM Newswire

brings together the latest breaking news on music, technology, gear, and live visuals. Got a project, found a news tip, or want to share your product? Submit to us directly.