ADD by LDM Design

Traditional sequencers keep one thing absolutely stable: pattern length. Set your sequence to 8 steps or 16 steps, and it stays that way, creating predictable, repeating patterns. ADD flips this convention on its head, making sequence length itself an unstable, constantly evolving parameter. Each time a pattern completes, the sequence grows, shrinks, or randomizes its length within your defined limits, creating rhythmic patterns that never repeat the same way twice.

This MPE-compatible sequencer features eight independent note sequencers, each with its own growth behavior, step resolution, and parameter modulation. As sequence lengths change, they can modulate velocity levels, note lengths, and MPE slide and pressure values proportionally. The result is generative composition that feels alive and unpredictable while remaining musically coherent. Combined with Stretch mode (which proportionally maps patterns to new lengths), scale selection, and global swing, ADD becomes an essential tool for producers seeking evolving, organic-sounding sequences that escape the loop.

Overview & Core Concept

Most sequencers treat pattern length as a fixed parameter you set once then forget. ADD makes length dynamic and unstable. Each of the eight sequencers continuously changes its length each time the pattern completes, growing longer, shrinking shorter, or jumping to random lengths within your specified minimum and maximum boundaries. A sequence might start at 4 steps, grow to 7 steps, then 10 steps, hit your maximum limit and begin shrinking back down to 5 steps, then 3 steps—all while playing continuously.

This constant length variation creates polyrhythmic, evolving patterns that never settle into predictable loops. Since each of the eight sequencers has independent length limits and growth behaviors, they drift in and out of phase with each other, creating complex, interlocking rhythms that sound composed rather than random. You control the boundaries and growth rates, but the specific patterns emerge organically from the system’s instability.

Eight Independent Sequencers

ADD provides eight single-note sequencers, each operating completely independently. Sequencer 1 might play a bass note with a slow growth rate, expanding from 4 to 16 steps over many bars. Sequencer 2 could trigger a percussion hit with fast growth, rapidly cycling between 2 and 8 steps. Sequencer 3 might stay frozen at a fixed 6-step pattern while the others evolve around it. This independence creates layered complexity where different elements evolve at different rates.

Each sequencer outputs a single pitch (set via scale selection), making ADD perfect for building rhythmic parts like hi-hats, kicks, snares, bass notes, or melodic accents. Combine multiple sequencers triggering different notes in a chord to create harmonically evolving arpeggiations. Layer all eight sequencers on percussive elements for complex, shifting drum patterns. The single-note-per-sequencer design keeps patterns musical and focused while the length modulation provides rhythmic complexity.

Four Growth Modes

Grow Mode increases sequence length by your set growth amount each cycle until hitting the maximum length, then reverses direction and shrinks back down to the minimum. This creates a breathing, cyclical pattern where rhythms expand and contract in predictable waves—predictable direction, but unpredictable specific patterns since the exact length determines which steps trigger.

Shrink Mode works in reverse, starting at maximum length and decreasing until hitting minimum, then growing back up. Use this for sequences that start dense and busy, gradually thinning out, then rebuilding.

Random Mode jumps to a new random length (within your min/max boundaries) each cycle. This creates the most unpredictable behavior, with sequences leaping between short and long patterns without warning. Perfect for glitchy, chaotic elements or when you want maximum rhythmic variation.

Freeze Mode locks the current sequence length, preventing further changes. Hit Freeze when a sequence lands on a particularly compelling length, locking that pattern while allowing other sequencers to continue evolving. This gives you real-time control over which elements stay stable and which continue changing.

Parameter Modulation & MPE Support

As sequence lengths change, ADD can proportionally modulate four parameters: Velocity, Note Length, MPE Slide, and MPE Pressure. Set modulation amounts for each parameter, and as sequences grow longer, those parameter values increase proportionally (or decrease as sequences shrink). A 4-step sequence might output velocity 60, but when that same sequence grows to 12 steps, velocity could reach 100. As it shrinks back down, velocity decreases again.

This length-to-parameter mapping creates dynamic, expressive sequences where longer patterns sound louder and more sustained, while shorter patterns become quieter and more staccato. The relationships feel musical and intentional rather than randomly modulated. For MPE-compatible instruments, the Slide and Pressure modulation adds even more expressiveness, with longer sequences applying more pitch bend and aftertouch.

Each sequencer has independent modulation settings, so you can have bass notes with heavy velocity modulation while percussion stays consistent, or vice versa. This selective parameter control keeps your sequences coherent while adding dynamic variation exactly where you want it.

Stretch Mode – Proportional Pattern Mapping

Here’s where ADD gets really interesting. Stretch Mode proportionally maps your note pattern to new sequence lengths as they change. When you program a note at step 3 of a 4-step sequence, Stretch mode remembers that note occurs at the 75% position. When the sequence grows to 8 steps, that note automatically moves to step 6 (the 75% position of 8 steps). When it shrinks to 2 steps, the note appears at step 2 (75% of 2 steps, rounded).

This is similar to using the ×2 or ÷2 buttons in Ableton’s MIDI clip editor, but happening automatically and continuously as your sequence length evolves. Notes maintain their relative positions within the pattern even as the absolute pattern length changes, creating variations that feel like natural extensions and contractions of your original musical idea rather than completely different patterns.

Without Stretch mode, notes stay at their absolute step positions (a note at step 3 stays at step 3 regardless of sequence length). With Stretch mode enabled, notes scale proportionally, creating more musical relationships between pattern variations.

Detailed Parameter Control

Step Size sets the rhythmic resolution of each sequencer (16th notes, 8th notes, triplets, etc.). Different step sizes across the eight sequencers create polyrhythmic complexity even before length modulation begins.

Growth Amount determines how many steps are added or removed each cycle. Small growth amounts create gradual evolution. Large growth amounts produce dramatic shifts.

Length Hold makes sequences repeat at their current length multiple times before changing. This prevents constant change, allowing patterns to establish themselves before evolving to the next length. Essential for maintaining some rhythmic stability.

Probability sets the likelihood that each sequence will actually trigger its note. At 100%, notes always play. At 50%, notes play randomly half the time. This adds yet another layer of variation on top of the length modulation, perfect for creating sparse, glitchy patterns.

Min/Max Length boundaries define the range within which sequences can grow and shrink. Set tight boundaries (e.g., 4-8 steps) for subtle variations, or wide boundaries (e.g., 2-32 steps) for dramatic changes.

Global Controls

Scale Selection assigns pitches to each of the eight sequencers based on musical scales. Choose your root note and scale type (major, minor, pentatonic, etc.), and each sequencer triggers a different degree of that scale. This ensures harmonic coherence even as rhythmic patterns evolve chaotically. Change scales in real-time to shift the harmonic context of your entire sequence.

Global Swing applies groove timing to all sequencer output, shifting alternate notes for shuffle feels. Even with constantly changing lengths, swing maintains a consistent groove foundation that keeps patterns feeling musical rather than random.

Creative Applications

Evolving Bass Patterns: Set a low growth rate with tight min/max boundaries on one sequencer, assign it a bass note, and watch it create slowly morphing bass patterns that never repeat exactly.

Polyrhythmic Percussion: Assign multiple sequencers to different drum sounds, each with different step sizes and growth rates. They drift in and out of phase, creating complex, evolving drum patterns impossible to program manually.

Generative Arpeggiation: Use several sequencers with different scale degrees and varying growth modes to create chord patterns that constantly reshape themselves, perfect for ambient or experimental compositions.

Controlled Chaos: Use Random mode with tight probability settings for glitchy, stuttering sequences. Freeze specific sequencers when they land on compelling patterns, then unfreeze to let them evolve again.

Live Performance Evolution: Start with most sequencers frozen at fixed lengths, then gradually unfreeze them one by one as your track builds, introducing increasing complexity and variation as the performance progresses.

How to Use

Insert ADD as a MIDI effect before any instrument in Ableton Live. Set your scale and root note to establish harmonic context. For each of the eight sequencers, set minimum and maximum length boundaries, choose a growth mode, and dial in your growth amount and step size. Program notes by clicking steps in each sequencer’s pattern display.

Enable parameter modulation for velocity, note length, or MPE parameters as desired. Set length hold values to control how many times patterns repeat before changing length. Use probability to create sparse patterns. Engage Stretch mode on sequencers where you want proportional pattern mapping as lengths change.

All parameters are fully mappable to Push, MIDI controllers, or automation. Automate freeze states to control which sequences evolve when, map growth amounts to expression controls for live performance variation, or automate scale changes to shift harmonic context throughout your track.

Ideal For

Electronic producers seeking generative, evolving sequences that escape predictable loops. Experimental musicians exploring controlled chaos and instability. Ambient composers who want organic-sounding patterns that breathe and morph. Live performers who need sequences that can evolve on their own while maintaining musical coherence. Anyone working with MPE instruments who wants expressive, modulated sequences. Producers tired of static, repeating patterns who want evolution built into their sequences.

What’s Included

• ADD MaxforLive MIDI effect device with 8 length-modulated sequencers
• Full MPE parameter modulation support
• Complete parameter mapping for Push and MIDI controllers
• Compatible with Ableton Live 11 & 12 (Standard with MaxforLive or Suite)

Requirements

• Ableton Live 11 Standard with MaxforLive installed, or Ableton Live 11/12 Suite
• Mac or Windows operating system

ADD by LDM Design reimagines what sequence length can be. Instead of a fixed parameter, length becomes dynamic and unstable, creating constantly evolving patterns that never repeat the same way twice. Eight independent sequencers, four growth modes, MPE parameter modulation, Stretch mode, and comprehensive control make this an essential tool for generative composition that escapes the loop.

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