Birds
A generative MIDI sequencer for Ableton Live. It plays a 16-step melody and changes it while it plays.
- Role
Design, code and user manual.
- Year
2026
- Status
Released
- Stack
Max/MSP, JavaScript (jsui/mgraphics), Max for Live, Live API
- Client or context
Aylesim Devices
Context and constraints
The melody changes while it plays, so pitch, timing and note state had to stay readable as it changes. [needs: any other constraints, e.g. panel size]
What I built
- A display where each note is a bird on one of 12 wires, one wire per pitch class. Clicking a bird switches its step on or off.
- Colour states for original, drifted and muted notes. The playing bird is drawn in flight.
- A Difference Limit control that sets how far the melody can drift from the original before it returns
- Pitch and gate mutation strategies, and the manual
Outcome
Covered by Rekkerd in April 2026. Sold on Gumroad and Isotonik Studios.
Media
Carousel demo, full walkthrough (YouTube).
[needs: video captions and description of the sound]
Links
Buy on Gumroad · Isotonik Studios · [needs: manual PDF link]
Email · Download CV · Portfolio (PDF)
[needs: CV PDF file]