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.

Max 9.1: new Ableton objects, vintage Jitter video FX, more

Max 9.1 is here, and it’s surprisingly packed with improvements, including building on the new goodies in Ableton abl.* objects and Jitter eye candy. Here’s what’s new.

Peter Kirn - October 30, 2025

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

Live round-up: 12.2 is out, vids, a free Grain Slicer Rack, tuner, and more

Peter Kirn - June 12, 2025

maxess screenshots overlaid on one another, showing help pages: maxess.element, maxess.file, maxess.keyboard, and maxess.speech running in Max with help commentary.

Maxess, free externals for Max and Max for Live accessibility, available now

Peter Kirn - March 13, 2025

Max 9: new coding and livecoding, new visuals, and Ableton’s sound tools

Peter Kirn - October 30, 2024

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