Description
Ecosystem is both a Max for Live Instrument and Audio Effect (2 devices). Ecosystem provides you with 3 different types of modules: Sound generators, basic audio effects, and controllers. Modules can connect together, sending audio or control signals to each other. Within its environment you can create soundscapes, textures, experimental synthesizers/effects and looping. It is a semi-modular device, and may be used however you imagine!
The three categories of modules/organisms are:
Sound Generator: a collection of basic waveform oscillators and a looper
- Sine, Tri, Saw, Rect, Noise, Buffer/Looper
Sound FX: a collection of signal processing effects (ie filter, delay, vocoder, etc)
- Plus, Multiply, Filter, Drive, Delay, Vocoder, Envelope Follower, SaH, Monitor
Controllers: a collection of modules used strictly for control values (ie sequencer, envelope, etc)
- Knob, Sequencer, MIDI Note, Envelope, Automation
Other Features
- Connections (<= 10 per module) to various parameters per module mode
- Macro mapping for visibility in Live (for MIDI mapping, automations, Max for Live, etc)
- LCD interface for semi modular connections
Jason Cowling (verified owner) –
Ecosystem is a unique, modular environment for Ableton Live. I was immediately drawn in by the immediacy of creating modular patches. A single click generates “organisms” which include waveforms, a sequencer, sampler (which you can record directly into, chop up, and include in your patch. There’s also Control Surfaces for MIDI control, a looper, Oscilloscope, Vocoder, Delay, Filters, Envelopers, and Automation which records value changes. And by using Macros, you can map Ecosystem’s elements to external controllers. Each of these organisms has a variety of selectable parameters for further sound shaping, control, or interaction with connected organisms. Seemingly every organism of Ecosystem can be quickly connected with 2 clicks. Depending on the specific connected organisms, a variety of selectable options are available. You can be very experimental with connections. The synth engine, I think, sounds great – very warm sound and I look forward to others’ reviews of this aspect. Overall, Ecosystem is the most impressive synth and modular environment I’ve used in Ableton Live.
thibaultsp (verified owner) –
Yes Ecosystem has a great power but it has a real lack of intuitivity. It’s a very unique modular environment who has its own language with “organisms philosophy”. The point is that when you start having quite a lot of organisms in your patch, it’s getting really hard not to be lost or, at least confused.