The Ableton FX Multi-Tool

The sauce that tastes good on everything. I built this FX rack for Ableton Live DJ sets and shortly after I began using it in sessions for build ups, vocal processing, transitions, sound design, etc.

Each effect is useful on its own and can also be combined to create increasingly complex and intense sounds.

Ableton stock FX only. Requirements: Ableton Live Suite

10 Individual FX Knobs and 38 Presets:

1. Build - Loop Roll - Loop starts at 1/4 note interval, building with a filter and reverb wash. Can be used to slide audio or to create roll-style transitions with one knob.
2. Echo - Combination filter and Echo. The filter and repeater engage as the dial passes the 10 o'clock position. At full strength, the result is an infinite and filtered 1/8th note loop. At lower levels, it can be a nice rhythmic sound design tool. This effect creates great transitions for live sets when used with automation.
3. Chorus - Standard stereo chorus that becomes an intense warble as the effect approaches full strength. This is good to add subtle stereo effect as well as more intense laser-like stretching effects. Try it on keyboards, guitars, and background vox.
4. Verb - Starts subtle and ends at an infinite washout. By the time it reaches 11 o'clock, there is a dotted 1/4 note delay blending into the wash, creating a dubbed-out time-stretching sound. The rhythm is locked to the session so you can wash away and still return to the original tempo while the track is playing.
5. Filter - Isolation/lo-fi style Band Pass filter - at full strength, the grit intensifies and the bandwidth narrows.
6. Pan - Stereo pan that moves from slow organ-like movement to a buzzing overly fast whip. The pan rhythm is locked to the tempo of the session, which allows for some very musical effects.
7. Distortion - Starts as a mild overdrive and by full strength, it becomes very aggressive, buzzy, and filtered. You can think of this as an angrier version of the filter effect with a wider bandwidth.
8. LPF - Standard low pass filter that sounds smooth across records. Nothing special but very useful. At full strength, most of the signal has disappeared but not fully muted.
9. Glitch - The most esoteric effect in the kit. It begins as a triplet repeat function with a splash of delay. By the time it reaches 11 o'clock, the delay comes forward in the sound and the repeats begin to fade. By the time you reach 2 o'clock, it turns into a spaced-out buzzy roll. At full tilt, it becomes a smearing effect. Try it out and see.
10. I/O - Classic Global Dry/Wet Knob