
Lambda II by Riccardo Sellan
REAL-TIME GRANULAR EFFECT
Lambda II is a Max for Live device for real-time granular effect.
The main features are:
- 8-voice polyphony
- Live/Freeze mode | freeze audio input to work on the frozen buffer audio portion. If it is Off, Lambda processes the audio input in real-time
- • Sequencer mode | grain generation in sync with Ableton Live tempo
- Pitch | individual pitch shifter for every voice
- Delay | delay and feedback parameters for each grain
- Filter | the whole spectrum is granulated and filtered through an 8-band-pass filter
- MIDI input | play grains via MIDI
- Amplitude | individual amplitude parameter for each voice
- Spray | stereo spatialization
USER GUIDE: Lambda II - 1.8 User Guide




Lambda II by Riccardo Sellan
REAL-TIME GRANULAR EFFECT
Lambda II is a Max for Live device for real-time granular effect.
The main features are:
- 8-voice polyphony
- Live/Freeze mode | freeze audio input to work on the frozen buffer audio portion. If it is Off, Lambda processes the audio input in real-time
- • Sequencer mode | grain generation in sync with Ableton Live tempo
- Pitch | individual pitch shifter for every voice
- Delay | delay and feedback parameters for each grain
- Filter | the whole spectrum is granulated and filtered through an 8-band-pass filter
- MIDI input | play grains via MIDI
- Amplitude | individual amplitude parameter for each voice
- Spray | stereo spatialization
USER GUIDE: Lambda II - 1.8 User Guide
Additional information
| MaxforLive | Audio Devices |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| OS | Mac, Windows |




Product reviews
Write a review
This tool is a creative blast and became an essential part of my live show. Thanks for your great work!
Janosch aka Koltbach
So glad to hear that! Lambda definitely shows its full potential in live scenarios. Feel free to share how you’re using it. I hope you keep having fun with it!
Report review
Lambda II by Riccardo Sellan
Lambda II is a Max for Live device for real-time granular effect. It allows you to granulate the incoming audio signal in real-time or to granulate a frozen portion of it through a 8-voice polyphony. The incoming audio can be viewed through an easy sonogram.
Lambda II can also generate grains in sync with the Ableton Live tempo working as a step sequencer. The grains can be generated via MIDI input.
Pitch and amplitude parameters can be individually applied to each voice.
The parameters are:
GENERAL
- Freeze | freeze audio input to work on the frozen buffer audio portion. If it is Off, Lambda processes the audio input in real-time (you can store your frozen buffer within the project);
- Step | step sequencer mode in sync with Ableton Live tempo
- Buffer size | length in seconds of the audio portion on which Lambda works (from 1s to 60s)
- Gain | gain of input audio signal
- Recycle (pre or post) | recycle/overdub the dry (not granulated) or wet (granulated) audio signal on the input stream
- Position | position to granulate with randomness
- Reverse | reversed grains percentage
- Filter | each voice filters the audio stream into an individually granulated band
- Duration | grain duration (from 0.1 ms to 5 s) with randomness
- Density | grain density in percentage with randomness
- Envelope | general envelope function with attack and shape parameter
- Spray | stereo spatialization
- Dry/Wet | dry/wet ratio
- Volume | output volume.
PITCH
- Transpose | transpose all voices (from -24 st to +24 st)
- Tune | fine-tuning in cents
- Detune | detune all voices
- Glide | smooth factor for Detune parameter
DELAY
- Delay | apply a delay on each voice. If random delays are used, each generated grain will have a different delay value
- Slide | interpolation time between one delay value and the next for each grain
- Feedback | apply feedback on the delay network with randomness.
MIDI
- MIDI | grains can be played via MIDI input with velocity sensitivity.
Minimum system Requirements
Mac
- Intel® CoreTM2 Duo processor. Intel® CoreTM i5 processor or faster recommended – 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
- 1280×800 display resolution
- Core Audio compliant audio interface recommended
Windows
- 64-bit Intel® (Intel® CoreTM i5 processor or faster recommended) or AMD multi-core processor.
- 4 GB RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
- 1366×768 display resolution
- ASIO compatible audio hardware for Link support (also recommended for optimal audio performance)
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Lambda II is a MaxforLive device that applies real-time granular processing to incoming audio. It features 8-voice polyphony, sequencer and freeze modes, and MIDI input for playing grains, offering deep sound design capabilities inside Ableton Live.
A: Yes, Lambda II requires MaxforLive to function within Ableton Live.
A: MaxforLive 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: You can explore more of Riccardo Sellan’s tools and devices here: RICCARDO SELLAN
Important Information
V1.8.0 – Release February 2026
- volume now goes to -inf (0)
- updated Push parameters
- new Dry/Wet parameters
V1.7.0 Release 18/4/2024
- Fixed color issue with Live 12
- Fixed the issue of filtered grain visualization
V1.6.0 Release 4/1/2024
Fixed Bugs
- Fixed display issue when reopening the project
V.1.5.0 Release 16/8/2023
New features
- The Transposer parameter is now float (not forced to the semitone)
Fixed bugs
- The envelope page is now displayed correctly for Ableton Push
V1.4.0 Release 24/3/2023
New features
- Save frozen buffer within the project. It works with Collect All and Save, Audio Effect Rack, and Preset;
- Buffer site maximum length set to 60 seconds;
- The random position parameter is now working starting around the position value.
Fixed bugs:
- No black window/screen when Lambda II is opened;
- Optimizing general CPU consumption for GUI.
V1.3.0 Release 20/12/2022
- New envelope function
- The voices volume controls are now saved with the project
- Optimized pitch-shift
V1.2.0 Released 14/11/2022
- Fixed undo history problem when Step mode is active
- Now is it possible to map the single voice transposition without a crash
V1.1.0 Released 11/3/2022
- fixed the problem where if you use more Lambda device in the same project, the audio stream was shared between them.
V.1.0 Released 11/2/2022
- Initial Release
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.








