data.train by Dillon Bastan

Yes, data.train works in both roles. You can drop a sample directly into it to use it as an instrument, or route live audio through it as an audio effect on any track.

Each playback and effects parameter has its own modulation source and value, and on every frame that value is recalculated based on the math operator you have assigned. By chaining different operators and changing the source of their right-hand operand, you build modulation patterns that range from evolving, generative movements to locked, repeating rhythms.

It excels at rhythmic effects, glitchy and stuttering textures, ambient and generative soundscapes, and adding unpredictable character to any source material. If you want to push a sound somewhere strange or beautiful, this is built for that.

Both are supported. You can feed live audio directly into the device and mangle it in real time, or drag and drop a sample file to use it as a more traditional instrument source.

data.train is a Max for Live device, so you will need Ableton Live Suite or Ableton Live Standard with a Max for Live licence, along with a compatible version of Max for Live installed.

Download the device file from your Isotonik Studios account, then drag it into your Ableton Live User Library or directly onto a track. No additional setup is required beyond having Max for Live active.

You have full control over this. Depending on how you configure the math operators and their operand sources, you can dial in locked, repeating rhythmic cycles or allow the modulation to evolve and drift over time in a more generative way.

V1.0.3 – Released February 2025

Fix for factory presets stopping recalling their samples

V1.0.0 – Initial Release – February 2023

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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