Arcade Series Returns by Mark Towers
COIN-OP INSPIRED GENERATIVE SEQUENCERS
MAKE YOUR OWN TRIPLE PACK: Buy any three or more Mark Towers products at the same time and get a 20% Discount (automatically applied at checkout)
The Arcade Series Returns is the follow up to the hugely successful MaxforLive Generative Sequencers the Arcade Series ONE. Designed by Ableton Certified trainer Mark Towers and inspired by classic retro Arcade Games each one can provide inspiration for rhythm or melody!
Consisting of four MaxforLive generative sequencers, the Arcade Series Returns can help defeat writers block or be the beginning of that inspirational piece of music. Each device is fully compatible and controllable with 8×8 grid based controllers Push 1, Push 2, Launchpad MINI, MK1, MK2 & PRO and the Native Instruments Maschine Jam.
USER GUIDE: Arkanoid
Sale
Arcade Series Returns by Mark Towers
COIN-OP INSPIRED GENERATIVE SEQUENCERS
MAKE YOUR OWN TRIPLE PACK: Buy any three or more Mark Towers products at the same time and get a 20% Discount (automatically applied at checkout)
The Arcade Series Returns is the follow up to the hugely successful MaxforLive Generative Sequencers the Arcade Series ONE. Designed by Ableton Certified trainer Mark Towers and inspired by classic retro Arcade Games each one can provide inspiration for rhythm or melody!
Consisting of four MaxforLive generative sequencers, the Arcade Series Returns can help defeat writers block or be the beginning of that inspirational piece of music. Each device is fully compatible and controllable with 8×8 grid based controllers Push 1, Push 2, Launchpad MINI, MK1, MK2 & PRO and the Native Instruments Maschine Jam.
USER GUIDE: Arkanoid
Additional information
| MaxforLive | MIDI Devices, Sequencers |
|---|---|
| Controllers | Ableton Push One, Ableton Push THREE Controller, Ableton Push TWO, Novation Launchpad |
| Ableton Live Compatibility | Ableton Live 10 Standard with MaxforLive, Ableton Live 10 Suite, Ableton Live 11 Standard with MaxforLive, Ableton Live 11 Suite, Ableton Live 12 Standard with MaxforLive, Ableton Live 12 Suite |
| Min. Requirements | Ableton Live 10 Standard with MaxforLive Installed or Ableton Live 10 Suite |
| OS | Mac, Windows |
PRICE: Original price was: £85.00.£68.00Current price is: £68.00.
Product reviews
FEATURES
Synthanatomy – Ask.Audio – Modulate This – FACT Magazine – The Tapeless World – Mixmag – Hispasonic
5 out of 5
2 reviews
How item rating is calculated
We show the average based on reviews. Only genuine reviews are displayed.
Sort by
October 19, 2017
This reviewer bought this product from our store.
Bought these devices on the strength of the YouTube videos and the excellent demo I was given at Isotonik's stand at the 2017 UK Synthfest. Control surface integration (Push 2 in my case) is outstanding. All the devices are really fun to pick up and play but also offer very deep levels of customisation, especially for looping. They're all great for generating melodies / drum patterns you wouldn't normally have thought of, or for just some general random madness!
September 3, 2017
This reviewer bought this product from our store.
3 excellent, playful and rock-solid sequencers. Tons of fun.
Frogger alone is worth the buy: It’s pretty much the same as the Eurorack Intellijel Metropolis Sequencer, which cost roughly $500.
Arcade Series Returns by Mark Towers
ARCADE SERIES RETURNS CONTENTS:
ARKANOID
Arkanoid is a rotating melodic sequencer inspired by the classic arcade game. The grid interface is the primary way to interact with Arkanoid. Both control surface 8×8 button grids and mouse clicks can be used to control the UI.
The main 8×7 grid represents a walled space in which up to 4 balls can bounce around in diagonal patterns. To start a ball moving, first select one of the 4 sequencers using the numbered selected panel or with a control surface’s ‘scene launch buttons’, then trigger one of the bottom row buttons on a control surface or by using the mouse. Once started, balls will follow a diagonal pattern which will result in them gradually going out of phase until returning to their starting point. To trigger additional sequencers select the next numbered engine and repeat the process.
Notes are triggered when moving balls cross activated cells. Cells can be activated by clicking on them with control surface pads/mouse clicks. The pitch of activated notes are automatically laid out via the ‘note grid’ mode (see sequencer engine). Notes can be accentuated by initiating ‘accent edit’ in the ‘global controls’ to the right of the device or by holding shift and clicking a cell.
FROGGER
Frogger is an 8-step gate sequencer inspired by the classic video game and electronic gate sequencers. Via the mouse or control surface you set the pitch/octave for each step. When the sequence lands on the step the note is triggered. All pitch values conform to the globally selected scale with individual octave control per step.
Use the Gate Length to set the duration of counts for each step (1-8). Each step will count to the specified amount before moving on to the next step observing the set mode.
HOLD – A note is held for the duration of the specified gate length.
REPEAT – A note is triggered for every count of the specified gate length.
SINGLE – A note is triggered for the first count of the step, remaining counts are treated as rests.
REST – A rest is triggered for the specified gate length
GHOSTS
Ghosts is a random looping melodic sequencer inspired by the classic arcade game PacMan (but it hasn’t got the hero in it!)
The 8×8 grid represents a maze in which the ghosts will move around. Whenever a ghost reaches a junction, they make a random decision of which way to go. When ghosts land on a yellow step, a note is triggered. When they land on a blue step a speed boost / reduction is triggered for a specified amount of steps. Landing on an orange step triggers and accentuated note.
Up to four ghosts can run simultaneously and each have their own dedicated controls such as speed and note information.
SPACE INVADERS
The Arcade Series Returns concludes with Space Invaders, a rotating pulse generator designed specifically for triggering drum machines.
Independent patterns/rows of ‘Invaders’ are set up in the separate invader engines to the right. These patterns can be static or moving from left to right and have their own parameters which effect note generation.
Lazers are triggered by the ships at the bottom of the grid. Once turned on, each ship will fire a single lazer at a user specified rate (in the settings panel). When a laser hits an invader, a note is triggered. The lazer cycle is repeated until the ship is turned off. Clicking anywhere on the 8×8 grid starts/re-starts a lazer to fire from that location.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Arcade Series Returns is a follow-up collection of coin-op inspired generative Max for Live sequencers designed by Ableton Certified Trainer Mark Towers. It builds on the concept of the original Arcade Series ONE with new devices, including Arkanoid, a rotating melodic sequencer that uses bouncing ball mechanics to generate evolving musical patterns.
You need Ableton Live with Max for Live to run these devices. We recommend checking that your version of Live and Max for Live are up to date for the best performance and compatibility.
Arkanoid uses an 8×7 grid where up to 4 balls bounce around in diagonal patterns, each acting as an independent sequencer. Because the balls move in different diagonal paths, they gradually drift out of phase with one another and then return to their starting point, creating naturally evolving, generative melodic sequences without needing to manually programme anything.
Yes, the devices support 8×8 button grid control surfaces such as a Novation Launchpad or Ableton Push, allowing you to trigger and interact with the sequencers hands-on. You can also use a mouse if you prefer to work entirely within the software.
Not at all. The devices are designed to be intuitive and playable, with a visual grid-based interface that makes it straightforward to get sequences running quickly. Mark Towers is an Ableton Certified Trainer, so approachability is very much baked into the design.
After purchase you will receive a download containing the Max for Live device files. Simply drag them into your Ableton Live User Library or a folder of your choice, and they will be ready to drop onto a MIDI track in your session.
Yes, as Max for Live devices they are compatible with both Mac and Windows systems, provided you are running a supported version of Ableton Live with Max for Live included or installed.
Important Information
Our Products are generally provided as Zip file downloads which in all cases will need to be extracted and saved to your hard drive prior to installation. Details on the different file type provided and what to do with them are below.
.alp Files – These are Ableton Live Packs and will either install directly into the Packs Section of the browser of Ableton Live or ask you to save them to your hard drive. For packs that install to the library, when you double click on them you will see a pop up window asking you to confirm that installation is ok as the files are described as “Legacy”. This is fine and you are ok to proceed, the packs are created using the format for an earlier version of Live and so remain compatible with the current version.
.amxd files – These are individual MaxforLive Devices and can be stored anywhere on your hard drive. We’d advise creating a folder for them and then adding that folder as a location within the Places section of Lives Browser.
END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR ISOTONIK STUDIOS SOFTWARE PRODUCTS.
PLEASE READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THIS PROGRAM INSTALL.
This End-User License Agreement (referred to as “EULA”) is a legal agreement between an individual or a single entity (referred to as “LICENSEE”) and Isotonik Studios for the Isotonik Studios software product(s) which may include associated software components, media, printed materials, and “online” or electronic documentation (referred to as “SOFTWARE PRODUCT”). By installing, copying, or otherwise using the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, the LICENSEE agrees to be bound by the terms of this EULA.
This EULA represents the entire agreement concerning the program between the LICENSEE and Isotonik Studios and it supersedes any prior proposal, representation, or understanding between the parties. If the LICENSEE does not agree to the terms of this EULA, the LICENSEE should not install or use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed, not sold.
- GRANT OF LICENSE.
The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed as follows:
(a) Installation and Use. Providing that the LICENSEE has paid any applicable license fees, Isotonik Studios grants the LICENSEE the right to install and use copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on up to two computers in the LICENSEE’s possession that are running a validly licensed copy of the operating system for which the SOFTWARE PRODUCT was designed [e.g., Windows 10, macOS]. The computer(s) must be owned by the LICENSEE.
(b) Backup Copies. The LICENSEE may also make copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT as may be necessary for backup and archival purposes.
- DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS.
(a) Maintenance of Copyright Notices. The LICENSEE must not remove or alter any copyright notices on any and all copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
(b) Distribution. The LICENSEE may not distribute registered copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT to third parties.
(c) Prohibition on Reverse Engineering, Decompilation, and Disassembly. The LICENSEE may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, except and only to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation.
(d) Rental. The LICENSEE may not rent, lease, or lend the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
(e) License transfer The LICENSEE may not transfer their license to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT to any third party. Any attempt to do so will be considered a violation of this EULA.
(f) Support Services. Isotonik Studios may provide the LICENSEE with support services related to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT for a period of 12 months following the date of purchase. Any supplemental software code provided to the LICENSEE as part of the Support Services shall be considered part of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and subject to the terms and conditions of this EULA.
(g) Compliance with Applicable Laws. The LICENSEE must comply with all applicable laws regarding use of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
- TERMINATION Without prejudice to any other rights, Isotonik Studios may terminate this EULA if the LICENSEE fails to comply with the terms and conditions of this EULA. In such event, the LICENSEE must destroy all copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT in the LICENSEE’s possession.
- COPYRIGHT All title, including but not limited to copyrights, in and to the SOFTWARE PRODUCT and any copies thereof are owned by Isotonik Studios or its suppliers. All title and intellectual property rights in and to the content which may be accessed through use of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is the property of the respective content owner and may be protected by applicable copyright or other intellectual property laws and treaties. This EULA grants the LICENSEE no rights to use such content. All rights not expressly granted are reserved by Isotonik Studios.
- NO WARRANTIES Isotonik Studios expressly disclaims any warranty for the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is provided ‘As Is’ without any express or implied warranty of any kind, including but not limited to any warranties of merchantability, noninfringement, or fitness of a particular purpose. Isotonik Studios does not warrant or assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within the SOFTWARE PRODUCT. Isotonik Studios makes no warranties respecting any harm that may be caused by the transmission of a computer virus, worm, time bomb, logic bomb, or other such computer program. Isotonik Studios further expressly disclaims any warranty or representation to the LICENSEE or to any third party.
- LIMITATION OF LIABILITY In no event shall Isotonik Studios be liable for any damages (including, without limitation, lost profits, business interruption, or lost information) arising out of the LICENSEE’s use of or inability to use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, even if Isotonik Studios has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In no event will Isotonik Studios be liable for loss of data or for indirect, special, incidental, consequential (including lost profit), or other damages based in contract, tort or otherwise. Isotonik Studios shall have no liability with respect to the content of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT or any part thereof, including but not limited to errors or omissions contained therein, libel, infringements of rights of publicity, privacy, trademark rights, business interruption, personal injury, loss of privacy, moral rights or the disclosure of confidential information.
