Repeat Pro is a Max for Live MIDI effect, designed to easily program rhythmic and melodic patterns step by step, then played by synthesizers, samplers and other instruments, both inside and outside Live.
The follow up to the hugely successful Repeat device, Repeat PRO has been rebuilt from the ground up with a swathe of new features.
The whole device is exclusively driven by a sixteen step sequencer, which among other parameters allows to set a different note, velocity, length, octave, control and delay amount for every single step. Part of Repeat Pro’s magic resides on the uncertainty factor that surrounds its behavior and defines the state of its most important parameters.
Main features and functions
- Sixteen step MIDI sequencer.
- Note, Velocity, Length, Octave, Control and Delay values for each step.
- Complete Push integration (only for Push 2).
- Store and recall up to 64 presets.
- Control Change messages for external instrument modulation.
- Program Change messages for external instrument preset control.
- Map function for Ableton Live parameter modulation.
- Mute and Skip buttons.
- Random function applied over all the individual step parameters.
- Random window allows to constantly randomise most importan parameters.
- Five sequence Playback modes: Right, Left, Pong, Other and Any.
- Three Rate modes: Sync, Free and Track.
bbaker –
fun to use sequencer with handy push2 integration perfect for live use…top!
yzero –
my go-to sequencer now, the best workflow and easy use interface on the market!
dangayle –
Really great sequencer. Just really high quality overall, easy to use. A few feature requests I could ask for would be an accent and slides, which would make this such a great acid sequencer. Even as it is it’s really really good.
Christian Fock –
Sequencer is great, but is there no way to automate pattern change?
Darren E Cowley (Admin) –
Originally I tried to enable preset changes both through program change and value automation. The result was not very promising… I guess there are too many parameters involved and that makes it difficult. I got all sorts of clicks, sound glitches and Live crashes trying to do so. At that time, it was obvious for me that I would have a lot of people complaining about this, so I decided to leave it as it is. I always think that if a function can’t be perfectly implemented, then it’s better not to count on it at all.
David Mejias –
First of all, I can say, after trying many sequencers (m4l and vst), that this sequencer is by far the best sequencer, believe me, THE BEST! The first thing that makes the difference is the integration with push, you can manage all from push but not like other m4l where the push is disabled, no, in this case, you can continue browsing and using the push as usual. Second, you can access all the functions from push and third, it’s simple, it has a spread that creates melodic variations that others don’t have, percentages of random, in short… wonderful. I use it as an external sequencer for my eurorack.
Cons: You can save your presets but you can’t export them.
The step indicators appear in the push as percentages when the name of the notes should appear.
This sequencer is highly recommended without a doubt, it is seen that it is made with a lot of love and dedication, Congratulations.
Note: Christian Fock asks if pattern changes can be automated, yes, but not in a fly way, make a clip in Ableton and go to envelopes on the clip, search for pattern change and draw the changes in the clip as you like.
Darren E Cowley (Admin) –
I’m more than happy to know that you find this sequencer as useful as you describe. I also wanted to take some time to explain the reason behind some of the limitations you are experiencing.
As you notice, right now it’s not possible to automate preset changes. Those are saved and can be recalled both manually or using Push 2, but not through automation. Originally I tried to enable preset changes both through program change and value automation. The result was not very promising… I guess there are too many parameters involved and that makes it difficult. I got all sorts of clicks, sound glitches and Live crashes trying to do so. At that time, it was obvious for me that I would have a lot of users complaining about this, so I decided to leave it as it is. I always think that if a function can’t be perfectly implemented, then it’s better not to count on it at all.
In regard to step indicators appearing as percentages, it would be great to display specific notes, but unfortunately, changing root names on the fly is not possible. This is more an Ableton Live limitation and it works that way for all Max for Live devices. Once a name or title is assigned to a specific parameter and the patch is saved, it’s not possible to reflect future changes on the Push display. Considering that the notes change all the time depending on the current scale, using percentages seemed to be the best solution given these limitations.
I think that’s it for now. Again… Thanks a lot for your comments and I hope you keep having fun with the sequencer!
Gustav Sjöstedt –
An easy and really good sequencer well worth the price
Heike Scherlie –
I find myself returning to step sequencers very often with my music, and Repeat is the one I tend to default to the most often because of the fantastic pop-out UI, the randomization features, and the parameter mapping capabilities. It’s a delight to use.