First 20 minutes from class

 

Plaits for Live (P_4L II) Overview

Scroll down for an audio example.

When Mutable Instruments released all their code as open source, people start creating clones and builds based on their amazing modules. One Max developer in the name of Volker Böhm released all of Mutable Instruments modules as Max externals. This allowed Max for Live programmers to create instruments and effects based on those legendary modules.

One of those developers is Rico from Ringtone.Tools he took Volker's Plaits external and build on top of that an amazing free synthesizer for max for live.

*Side Note - Mutable Instruments Plaits was also one of the main inspirations for Ableton's Meld synth and it also shares some synth engine with the hardware module.

In this session we'll explore everything P_4L II has to offer and how to expand it with Ableton Live.

• Understanding P_4L II – Overview & Core Concepts
  Learn the fundamentals of P_4L II, its origins, and how it expands on Mutable Instruments' legendary Plaits module. Understand how this Max for Live synth brings modular-style sound design into your Ableton workflow.

• Exploring 16 Synth & Percussive Engines
  P_4L II features 8 synth engines and 8 percussive/noise engines, offering a diverse range of sounds from analog-style bass and leads to FM synthesis, granular textures, and dynamic drum synthesis. We'll explore how each engine works and how to use them in your tracks.

• Modulation & Cable Patching
  Unlike most of Ableton's matrix synths, P_4L II includes a patch-cable system that lets you route signals like in a modular synth. You'll learn how to patch modulation sources, use the random generator, work with key tracking and velocity, and create evolving, expressive sounds.

• Advanced Multi-Timbral Control
  One of P_4L II’s unique features is its per-voice parameter variation, allowing each voice to have slightly different settings instead of uniform values across all voices. We’ll dive into how this can add depth, movement, and realism to your sounds as well as the unique detuning modes prog, equal, power and drift.

• Combining with Sequencers & Modulators
  Learn how to use P_4L II with Ableton Live’s sequencers, Max for Live modulators like LFO, Shaper, Expression Control and MIDI effects to create evolving patterns, melodic sequences, and generative music. We'll also cover automation techniques for dynamic performances.

• Building a Full Track
  We'll walk through creating a full track using P_4L II—designing sounds, sequencing, layering textures, and mixing elements to craft a full track.

Perfect for both beginners and advanced users. Learn how to design unique sounds, use modular-style modulation, and integrate it seamlessly into your Ableton workflow.

 

Ableton Live Project Demo

An Ableton project for you to explore using only P_4L II to create all sounds including the drums and FX.

There are also a lot of production, mixing, automation and glitching techqnieus for you to check out and learn from.

 

Max for Live Companion Device

Place this device right after P_4L II and it will dynamically change to show you the cheat sheet for the currently selected synth engine. (Click init if it doesn't work when loaded)

This device is using the cheat sheet from Rochefsky.

 

28 Custom Presets & Templates

A collection of custom presets exploring all synth engines. Some synth engines have dedicated racks with saved variation for better control and usage of each for example:

Chord Engine Rack - Variations for each chord type

Speak Letters - Variations for all speak & spell letters

Speak Nato - Variations for all speak & spell Nato Phonetics Words

Speak Numbers - Variations for all speak & spell numbers

Speak Synth - Variations for all speak & spell synth terms

 

Plaits Synth FX

Most modern synths today come built-in with internal FX. These FX are now an essential part of synthesis and sound design.

When using Ableton’s synths we don’t have built-in because we have al the effects separated and need to load manually.

I’ve created this rack for the most essential effects to make your synth patches sound bigger and more impressive.

 

Macros

Comprss – One-knob smart synth compressor

Saturate – Harmonic Booster

Low Cut – High Pass filter up to 250Hz

High Cut – Low Pass filter down to 250Hz

Phaser – Phasing amount

Chorus – Classic chorus Effect

Echo – Stereo Echo

Plate Verb – Convolution plate reverb

 

What's Included with this session

• 2+ hours of Ableton Certified Training Video
• Ableton Live Project
• 28 Custom P_4L II Presets Exploring All Synth Engines
• Plaits Synth FX Audio Effect Rack
• Max for Live Companion Device
• PDF with a list of all synth engines with tips and tricks for each

 

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ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Yeuda Ben-Atar, a world renowned Ableton Certified Trainer, hails from Los Angeles, California. Originally from Israel, Yeuda’s passion for music led him to the United States, where he discovered his true calling with Ableton Live in 2007, embarking on a journey of mastery.

He approaches Ableton in a unique way; producing and performing with video game controllers under the moniker Side Brain.

One of Yeuda’s most remarkable qualities is his exceptional knowledge and speed, combined with his unparalleled ability to explain complex concepts in a simple and engaging manner.

With years of experience as a music production instructor and educator, Yeuda has contributed his expertise to prestigious institutions throughout the United States, including USC, UCLA, UCSD, Colburn Music School, Berkley School of Music, Cal Arts, NAMM, Skywalker Sounds, Bedrock LA, Sonos Studios, Sweetwater Headquarters, 1500 or Nothing studios, Grammy U, Pensado’s Place, Vintage King, Museum of Making Music, Lynda.com (now known as Linkedin Learning), and Perfect Circuit Audio, among many others.

His projects have included working with and teaching artists such as Timbaland, Ludacris, Lavel Kali(Beyonce, Drake) DJ Numark and Jurassic 5, Beck, Skrillex, Flying Lotus, Ed Sheeran, Rick Rubin, Giorgio Moroder, Simi, Bootie Brown (Pharcyde), Dave Pensado, Madison Mcferrin and countless others.