MIDI Filter Ten by LDM Design

Overview & Inspiration

MIDI Filter TEN breaks you out of Live’s transport limitations with 10 specialized devices for filtering, routing, and triggering MIDI notes across your entire set. Each device has a unique ID, meaning MIDI can be routed from any point in any effect chain to any other device anywhere in your Live project, creating complex signal paths without duplicating tracks or daisy-chaining MIDI channels.

Traditional MIDI routing in Ableton Live requires sending MIDI from track to track, limiting your ability to create complex branching paths and conditional triggers. MIDI Filter TEN devices communicate via unique IDs that persist when you save your project. Drop MF Skipper on track one to let only the first note through. Route its output to MF Phraser on track seven to trigger a recorded sequence. Send the same original MIDI stream to MF Following on track three to trigger chords only when a specific note pattern occurs. All from a single MIDI source, no external routing required.

Every nth C3 note could play a chord from a set sequence. Specific velocity ranges could trigger parameter sweeps on a reverb send. Notes following E3-B3-G3 could fire off a bass hit. The filtering options range from simple pitch and velocity ranges to complex pattern recognition and sequence triggering. Combined with each device’s parameter mapping with AD envelope control, you can create performance-driven modulation systems that respond to your playing rather than running on automated LFOs.

The Unique ID Routing System

The revolutionary feature of MIDI Filter TEN is the ID-based routing system. When you load an MF device, it receives a unique identifier. Any other MF device in your set can then select that device’s ID as its MIDI input source, regardless of track position or signal chain order. This creates routing flexibility impossible with Live’s standard MIDI architecture.

Place MF Allpass at the start of your main MIDI track. It doesn’t filter anything but acts as a routing hub. Now any MF device on any track can select that Allpass device as its input source. You’ve created a central MIDI distribution point without needing to set up external MIDI routing or duplicate tracks. The ID routing saves with your Live set, so all connections are preserved when you close and reopen your project.

The I/O button on each device opens the routing and triggering section. The dropdown menu lists all MF devices in your set by their IDs. Select the device you want to receive MIDI from, and the routing is established. “0 MIDI” routes from the normal MIDI coming through that track’s chain. Any other ID number routes from that specific device’s output, letting you create multi-stage filtering chains that branch and converge across your entire project.

The 10 Filtering and Routing Devices

MF Skipper: Plays only the first x number of notes from each selected number of notes passing through. Set it to allow 1 note out of every 4, starting from the 2nd note. Filter MIDI routed from another track so only specific notes trigger chords or other elements. The reset function syncs to clip launch for loop-locked patterns. Use MIDI Thru mode to pass all notes through while still using filtered notes for parameter triggering.

MF NoteRange: Filters MIDI notes based on pitch. Set it to allow or block a specific range or a single note value. Allow only C3 to trigger something specific while letting other notes pass through normally. Block a range of notes that would trigger unwanted samples. Use single-note mode to create dedicated trigger notes that fire off parameter changes anywhere in your set without affecting normal MIDI flow.

MF Velocity: Works identically to NoteRange but filters based on velocity values instead of pitch. Allow through or block a range of velocities or a single velocity value. Let only hard hits (velocity 100-127) trigger a particular instrument while softer playing goes to a different sound. Use low velocities to trigger subtle parameter shifts while high velocities create dramatic sweeps.

MF NoRepeat: Blocks any note if the previous note had the same pitch value. Perfect for live playing where repeated notes might trigger unintentionally, or for creating melodic patterns that force pitch variation. The device can take input from any other MF device in your set, and its output can be used as a source for other devices even when MIDI passes through the chain unfiltered.

MF Doubler: Triggers a second note when the original note ends (note-off message). Set note length and velocity relative to the original note. Create automatic ghost notes, delayed doubling effects, or call-and-response patterns. The second note can have different velocity, creating dynamic variation where soft notes trigger loud echoes or vice versa.

MF Following: Allows through a single MIDI note only after a specific sequence of notes occurs. The sequence can be 1 to 3 notes long. If E3, then B3, then G3 come through, the next note passes. Essential for performance workflows where the number of notes might vary but specific melodic cues indicate transitions. Record sequences directly into the device or set them with knobs. Use this to trigger section changes, drop bass hits at specific moments, or fire off effects on musical cues.

MF Note: Filters according to notes set on a piano roll display. Similar to Live’s Scale MIDI effect but with faster, more intuitive UI and parameter triggering options. Click notes to allow or block them. Use Pass mode to let selected notes through, or Block mode to filter them out. Perfect for constraining external MIDI controllers to specific scales without transposition, or for creating triggered patterns that only respond to certain pitches.

MF Phraser: Record a sequence of MIDI notes of any length. The device plays through that recorded sequence, using incoming MIDI to trigger each successive note. Set it to respond to any incoming MIDI note or to one specific trigger note. Transpose the output relative to the recorded sequence. This turns any MIDI source into a step-through sequencer, perfect for creating melodic patterns triggered by drum hits or for building call-and-response systems between tracks.

MF Span: Uses Live’s transport to open and close a gate based on proportions of a sequence length in beats. Set it to open for 4 beats out of every 8, starting from beat 1. Change the slider in real-time to open the gate for different lengths, creating live note filtering that syncs to your project tempo. Useful for creating section variations without programming multiple MIDI clips. Reset function syncs to looped clip starts for locked patterns.

MF Allpass: Doesn’t filter or trigger anything itself but acts as a routing hub. Place it at the beginning of any MIDI effect chain, and its output becomes available as input for any other MF device anywhere in your set. This creates multiple routing paths from a single MIDI source without needing to duplicate tracks or route MIDI externally. Essential for complex filtering architectures where multiple devices process the same source differently.

MF Paramaster (Bonus): Incoming MIDI notes trigger incremental parameter changes. Set how many notes are required to go through the whole parameter range. The device can loop forward or use palindrome mode (reaching maximum then reversing direction). Create parameter sequences driven by your playing rather than automation, useful for filter sweeps, effect wet/dry changes, or any parameter that benefits from note-triggered modulation.

Parameter Triggering System

Most devices include parameter triggering capabilities in the I/O section. Click Map, then click any parameter anywhere in Live. The device triggers that parameter with a simple AD envelope whenever MIDI passes through (or when filtered conditions are met). The envelope includes adjustable curve selection and a range slider controlling which portion of the parameter’s full range gets modulated.

This creates performance-driven modulation distinct from automation or LFOs. Play a specific note, and a reverb wet/dry sweeps. Hit a certain velocity, and a filter opens. Complete a note pattern, and a delay feedback increases. The modulation stays musical because it’s tied to your performance rather than running on independent timers. Hold shift and drag the range slider to adjust only the top or bottom of the parameter range, fine-tuning the modulation amount.

The MIDI Thru button bypasses the device’s MIDI filtering while keeping parameter triggering active. This lets you use devices purely for their triggering capabilities without affecting note flow, creating complex modulation systems where specific MIDI conditions fire off parameter changes but all notes still reach their destinations.

Features & Highlights

Unique ID Routing System: Each device has a persistent ID allowing MIDI routing from any point in any chain to any other device anywhere in your Live set, breaking transport limitations.

10 Specialized Filtering Devices: Pitch-based, velocity-based, pattern-based, sequence-based, and timing-based filtering covering every common MIDI manipulation need.

Universal Parameter Triggering: Map any Live parameter to be modulated by MIDI passing through devices, with AD envelope shaping and range control.

MIDI Thru Bypass Mode: Pass MIDI through unfiltered while still using it for parameter triggering, separating note routing from modulation triggering.

MF Allpass Hub Device: Create central routing points without filtering, enabling complex multi-path MIDI distribution from single sources.

Pattern Recognition Filtering: MF Following detects specific note sequences before allowing MIDI through, perfect for performance-based triggers.

Recorded Sequence Playback: MF Phraser stores melodies and plays them back using any MIDI as trigger, converting rhythms to melodies and vice versa.

Transport-Synced Gating: MF Span uses Live’s tempo to create proportional note filtering that adapts to BPM changes.

Note Duplication with Velocity Control: MF Doubler creates second notes from note-off messages with independent velocity and timing.

Repeat Note Blocking: MF NoRepeat prevents successive identical notes from passing through, useful for live performance cleanup.

Visual Piano Roll Interface: MF Note provides intuitive note filtering with click-to-select interface faster than Live’s Scale device.

How to Use

Start simple. Drop MF NoteRange on a MIDI track. Set it to only allow C3 through. Play your keyboard – only C3 notes trigger the instrument. Open the I/O section, click Map, then click a filter cutoff parameter. Now C3 notes also sweep the filter. This is the basic workflow: filter MIDI, trigger parameters, or both.

Build complexity through routing. Place MF Allpass on your main performance track. On a second track with a bass instrument, add MF Skipper. Set its input to the Allpass device’s ID. Set it to allow 1 note out of every 4. Your bass now plays only every fourth note from your main performance, while your main track plays everything. Add MF Doubler to the bass track after MF Skipper. Now the bass plays every fourth note plus a ghost note when each note ends.

Create performance-based section triggers. Add MF Following to a track with chord instruments. Set it to recognize E3-B3-G3. Map a reverb send amount to its parameter trigger. Now when you play that specific melodic pattern, the reverb sweeps up, signaling a section change without touching any automation.

Use MF Phraser to convert drums to melody. Record a melodic sequence in MF Phraser. Set its input to receive from your drum track (using the ID routing). Set trigger mode to “All” so any drum hit advances the sequence. Your drums now trigger a melodic pattern, creating call-and-response between rhythm and pitch.

Ideal For

• Live performers who need complex MIDI routing without external controllers or elaborate track setups
• Electronic producers creating performance-driven modulation systems
• Anyone frustrated by Live’s linear MIDI routing and looking for flexible branching paths
• Experimental musicians using pattern recognition for compositional triggers
• Studio producers who want MIDI filtering more powerful than Live’s native MIDI effects
• Performers using single controllers to trigger multiple instruments with conditional routing
• Anyone who needs parameter changes triggered by specific MIDI conditions rather than automation

What’s Included

• MF Skipper: Pattern-based note filtering (.amxd)
• MF NoteRange: Pitch-based note filtering (.amxd)
• MF Velocity: Velocity-based note filtering (.amxd)
• MF NoRepeat: Repeated note blocking (.amxd)
• MF Doubler: Note-off triggered doubling (.amxd)
• MF Following: Sequence recognition filtering (.amxd)
• MF Note: Piano roll note filtering (.amxd)
• MF Phraser: Recorded sequence playback (.amxd)
• MF Span: Transport-synced gate filtering (.amxd)
• MF Allpass: Routing hub device (.amxd)
• MF Paramaster: MIDI-triggered parameter sequencer (.amxd, bonus)
• Comprehensive PDF user guide
• Mac and Windows compatible
• Requires Ableton Live 10/11/12 Standard (with MaxforLive) or Suite

Technical Notes

All devices are MaxforLive MIDI effects that process MIDI note data in real-time. The unique ID system uses Max’s send/receive architecture to enable cross-device communication without Live’s native MIDI routing. Device IDs are saved with your Live project, so all routing connections persist when closing and reopening sets. Multiple instances of the same device type can coexist, each with its own unique ID.

The devices add minimal latency and use low CPU resources. Parameter triggering uses Live’s standard MIDI mapping system, meaning triggered parameters can be automated and recorded. MIDI Thru mode processes MIDI normally through Live’s chain while still using the filtered output internally for parameter triggering and ID-based routing.

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