Backspin Plus by Andrew Norris
CUSTOM ENVELOPES. SCRATCH MODE. TOTAL CONTROL.
Backspin+ expands the essential vinyl effects into a comprehensive creative tool for sound designers and producers. Beyond the classic Stop, Rewind, and Backspin modes, Backspin+ adds Custom Mode with editable playback-speed envelopes, audio import functionality, 25 preset slots, and Scratch Mode for live manual control. Design experimental transitions, create signature effects, or perform intricate DJ techniques with precision impossible on hardware alone.
Inside you’ll find:
- Custom Mode: Draw your own playback-speed envelopes (2× forward to 20× backward)
- Scratch Mode: Fine and Coarse manual control for live performance
- 25 preset slots (5 built-in + 20 user-saveable) storing envelope + buffer
- Audio import: Drag & drop samples directly into buffer
- Stop, Rewind, and Backspin effect modes with full parameter control
- Zoom and Snap controls for precise envelope editing
- Visual feedback with playback speed and position indicators
- Full MIDI mapping, automation, and Push integration
Whether you’re crafting subtle production flourishes, designing experimental sound effects, or executing complex DJ transitions, Backspin+ delivers complete control over vinyl-style manipulation in Ableton Live.
Requires Ableton Live 12 Suite or Live 12 Standard with Max for Live
USER GUIDE: Backspin_Manual v1.0.2
Backspin Plus by Andrew Norris
CUSTOM ENVELOPES. SCRATCH MODE. TOTAL CONTROL.
Backspin+ expands the essential vinyl effects into a comprehensive creative tool for sound designers and producers. Beyond the classic Stop, Rewind, and Backspin modes, Backspin+ adds Custom Mode with editable playback-speed envelopes, audio import functionality, 25 preset slots, and Scratch Mode for live manual control. Design experimental transitions, create signature effects, or perform intricate DJ techniques with precision impossible on hardware alone.
Inside you’ll find:
- Custom Mode: Draw your own playback-speed envelopes (2× forward to 20× backward)
- Scratch Mode: Fine and Coarse manual control for live performance
- 25 preset slots (5 built-in + 20 user-saveable) storing envelope + buffer
- Audio import: Drag & drop samples directly into buffer
- Stop, Rewind, and Backspin effect modes with full parameter control
- Zoom and Snap controls for precise envelope editing
- Visual feedback with playback speed and position indicators
- Full MIDI mapping, automation, and Push integration
Whether you’re crafting subtle production flourishes, designing experimental sound effects, or executing complex DJ transitions, Backspin+ delivers complete control over vinyl-style manipulation in Ableton Live.
Requires Ableton Live 12 Suite or Live 12 Standard with Max for Live
USER GUIDE: Backspin_Manual v1.0.2
Product reviews
5 out of 5
2 reviews
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March 30, 2026
This reviewer bought this product from our store.
Great max for live product. Great value
I recommend this product
January 16, 2026
This reviewer bought this product from our store.
Old school rules
Excellent
One device super cool
I play dj with vilnys and the same is the same that my technics 1200 mkII. Old scholl rules
esay and good results
nothing
I recommend this product
Backspin Plus by Andrew Norris
Master complete creative control over vinyl-style effects with Backspin+, the expanded Max for Live audio device that takes classic DJ techniques into unexplored territory. Building on the foundation of three essential effects (Stop, Rewind, and Backspin), Backspin+ adds Custom Mode with editable playback-speed envelopes, audio import functionality, comprehensive preset management, and Scratch Mode for live manual control.
This is backspin, rewind, and tape-stop manipulation evolved beyond traditional constraints. Create subtle production flourishes, design experimental sound effects, or perform complex DJ transitions with precision that goes far beyond what’s possible with hardware alone.
Core Effect Modes
Backspin+ includes the three foundational vinyl effects, each with complete Speed, Friction, and Spin Length control:
Stop Mode: Audio plays at normal speed before gradually slowing to a complete halt. Create short tape-stop effects (¼ to ½ bar) or extended turntable wind-downs spanning multiple bars.
Rewind Mode: From a stopped position, audio plays backwards, starting slowly and accelerating over time. The classic “rewind” or “pull-up” effect that announces a dramatic shift.
Backspin Mode: Starts at the end of the buffer, plays backwards at high speed, then gradually decelerates to silence. Perfect for DJ transitions demanding sudden genre or mood changes.
Custom Mode: Total Envelope Control
Custom Mode transforms Backspin+ into a precision sound design tool by letting you draw your own playback-speed envelope. The envelope’s x-axis represents time (determined by Spin Length), while the y-axis controls playback speed from 2× forwards to 20× backwards.
This granular control enables effects impossible with preset modes. Create stuttering forward-backward patterns, accelerating crescendos, subtle speed variations, or completely experimental movements. The device includes an intuitive editor where you can click to add breakpoints, drag to move points, Alt+Click+Drag to bend curves, and Shift-click to remove points.
Visual feedback includes an orange vertical line showing current playback speed and a grey line indicating playback position in the buffer, giving you complete awareness of what’s happening in real time.
Zoom & Snap: Zoom into the upper envelope section for fine editing at very slow speeds. Enable Snap for precise grid-aligned editing, or disable it for fluid, organic curves.
Preset System
Backspin+ includes 25 preset slots: 5 built-in presets (including Stop, Rewind, and Backspin replicas) plus 20 user-saveable slots. Each preset stores both the speed envelope and buffer contents, letting you build a library of signature effects.
Save: Shift-click any filled or empty slot to save the current envelope and buffer as a preset.
Load: Click a filled slot to recall a preset instantly.
Delete: Alt+Shift-click to remove a preset.
MIDI Control: The Preset Dial is MIDI-mappable and automatable, enabling seamless preset switching during performance or production.
Audio Import
Unlike the free version which only records live audio, Backspin+ lets you drag samples directly into the buffer. This opens creative possibilities like designing spin effects with custom audio, building preset libraries with signature samples, or creating hybrid effects combining imported audio with live recording.
To import: set the Record Length to match your sample’s bar length, then drag the audio file onto the smaller buffer window in the main display. The imported audio behaves exactly like recorded audio and can be spun, scratched, or processed with custom envelopes immediately.
Scratch Mode: Manual Performance Control
Scratch Mode provides live, tactile control over playback speed with two complementary parameters:
Scratch Fine: Control playback from backwards at normal speed to forwards at normal speed (-1.0 to 1.0 range). Ideal for detailed, musical scratching and tempo-matched manipulation.
Scratch Coarse: Control playback from 20× forwards to 20× backwards (-20 to 20 range). Perfect for dramatic movements, quick rewinds, and aggressive sound design.
R Button: Resets the playhead position to the start of the buffer instantly.
Both Scratch parameters can be controlled manually, mapped to MIDI controllers, activated via Push, or automated in Live. Note that Scratch Mode doesn’t internally record the resulting audio like performing a spin would, so you’ll need to either automate the Scratch controls or resample onto another track to capture your performance.
Smart Performance Features
Auto Mute Options: Control incoming audio behavior during spins. Choose Off (incoming audio remains audible), Temp (mutes during spin, then un-mutes), or On (mutes during and after spin, perfect for live DJ transitions).
Lock to Quantize: When enabled, the Spin button respects Live’s Global Quantisation setting, ensuring effects always trigger perfectly in time.
Save Spins to Disk: Export any spin as an audio file for later use, archiving, or further processing.
Buffer Management: Enable Record Arm on the device to start capturing audio. Set Record Length to determine buffer duration. The buffer loops continuously, always containing the last X bars before the current playback point.
Universal Integration
Backspin+ integrates seamlessly into any workflow. Trigger spins with your mouse, MIDI-mapped hardware, Push, or Live automation. Full Push integration provides organized access to all parameters across three sections: Record, Spin, and Custom.
Use Backspin+ on your master channel for full-track transitions, on individual instrument tracks for creative production techniques, on drum buses for rhythmic effects, or on return tracks for send-based processing. The device works equally well for live performance and studio production.
What’s Included
- Stop, Rewind, and Backspin effect modes
- Custom Mode with editable playback-speed envelope
- Scratch Mode with Fine and Coarse manual control
- 25 preset slots (5 built-in + 20 user-saveable)
- Audio import functionality (drag & drop samples into buffer)
- Preset save & recall (envelope + buffer contents)
- Speed, Friction, and Spin Length controls
- Auto Mute options (Off/Temp/On)
- Lock to Quantize integration
- Zoom and Snap controls for envelope editing
- Save spins to disk functionality
- Full MIDI mapping capability
- Complete Ableton Push integration
- Tempo-synced bar-length timing
Requirements
- Windows or MacOS
- Ableton Live 12 Suite, or Ableton Live 12 Standard with Max for Live installed
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Backspin+ is an advanced Max for Live audio effect that recreates vinyl-style DJ effects with expanded creative control. It includes Stop, Rewind, and Backspin modes, plus Custom Mode with editable playback-speed envelopes, Scratch Mode for manual control, audio import functionality, and 25 preset slots for saving custom effects.
A: Yes, Backspin+ is a Max for Live device.
A: Max for Live is a platform that integrates the visual programming environment Max with Ableton Live, allowing users to create and use custom audio, MIDI, and control devices.
A: Backspin (free) includes Stop, Rewind, and Backspin effects with Speed, Friction, and Spin Length controls. Backspin+ (paid) adds Custom Mode with editable playback-speed envelopes, audio import functionality, 25 preset slots with save & recall, and Scratch Mode for manual scrubbing control.
A: You can explore more of Andrew Norris’s tools and devices here: Andrew Norris
Important Information
V1.0.2 – Released January 2026
- All buttons & text are now clearly visible when using Ableton Live’s light themes.
- Speed and Friction parameters now use a 0 to 1 floating point range rather than a percentage to make things a little easier to edit in automation lanes.
- ‘Save Last Spin’ button is now disabled whenever a Spin is currently playing, preventing the saving of files with missing audio content.
- When switching Auto Mute from On to Temp after a spin, incoming audio no longer stays muted and the Auto Mute LED is set back to Off.
- When dragging and dropping a file into Backspin+, anything other than a file type supported by Ableton will be rejected and an ‘unsupported file type’ error will be displayed. Note that certain video files can be used but only the audio will be loaded. Supported file types: .wav, .aiff, .flac, .ogg, .mp3, .m4a (MacOS only), .rx2, .mov, .mp4 (H.264 with compatible audio)
Initial Release – January 2026
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.
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