Sound Browser by KILLIHU
INSTANT AUDIO PREVIEWS FOR YOUR CUSTOM PRESETS—FINALLY
Stop loading instruments just to audition sounds with Sound Browser by killihu—a two-device MaxforLive system providing instant audio preview for custom presets (ADG, ADV, ALC, AUPRESET, VSTPRESET) plus automatic preview file generation, eliminating Live’s most frustrating workflow limitation.
Browse your entire preset library with immediate playback, no memory loading, no waiting.
Inside you’ll find:
- Instant audio preview for ADG, ADV, ALC, AUPRESET, VSTPRESET files
- Floating window browser with hierarchical folder navigation
- Multiple insertion methods: click-to-insert or drag-and-drop
- Three interface sizes: Small, Medium, Big
- Preview Creator device for automatic FLAC file generation
- Intelligent workflow: select folder, create MIDI clip, click Create
- Automatic file naming (matches instrument names)
- Automatic folder creation and file placement
- Normalized audio output for consistent preview levels
- Extra Time control for capturing reverb tails
- Adjustable preview volume (independent of track faders)
- External audio output routing option
- Random preset selection for creative discovery
- Folder refresh function for real-time synchronization
- Always-on-top docking capability
- Keyboard-mappable visibility toggle
- Preset-savable configurations for specialized libraries
- AU/VST direct support (no rack encapsulation required)
- Compatible with Live 10, 11, and 12
- Complete PDF reference manual included
Your custom presets, instantly auditionable—no loading, no waiting, just sound.
USER GUIDE: Sound Browser 1.1
Sound Browser by KILLIHU
INSTANT AUDIO PREVIEWS FOR YOUR CUSTOM PRESETS—FINALLY
Stop loading instruments just to audition sounds with Sound Browser by killihu—a two-device MaxforLive system providing instant audio preview for custom presets (ADG, ADV, ALC, AUPRESET, VSTPRESET) plus automatic preview file generation, eliminating Live’s most frustrating workflow limitation.
Browse your entire preset library with immediate playback, no memory loading, no waiting.
Inside you’ll find:
- Instant audio preview for ADG, ADV, ALC, AUPRESET, VSTPRESET files
- Floating window browser with hierarchical folder navigation
- Multiple insertion methods: click-to-insert or drag-and-drop
- Three interface sizes: Small, Medium, Big
- Preview Creator device for automatic FLAC file generation
- Intelligent workflow: select folder, create MIDI clip, click Create
- Automatic file naming (matches instrument names)
- Automatic folder creation and file placement
- Normalized audio output for consistent preview levels
- Extra Time control for capturing reverb tails
- Adjustable preview volume (independent of track faders)
- External audio output routing option
- Random preset selection for creative discovery
- Folder refresh function for real-time synchronization
- Always-on-top docking capability
- Keyboard-mappable visibility toggle
- Preset-savable configurations for specialized libraries
- AU/VST direct support (no rack encapsulation required)
- Compatible with Live 10, 11, and 12
- Complete PDF reference manual included
Your custom presets, instantly auditionable—no loading, no waiting, just sound.
USER GUIDE: Sound Browser 1.1
Additional information
| Ableton Live Compatibility | Ableton Live 10 Standard, 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 |
|---|---|
| Min. Requirements | Ableton Live 10 Standard with MaxforLive Installed or Ableton Live 10 Suite |
| OS | Mac, Windows |
PRICE: £10.00
Product reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to review this product.
Sound Browser by KILLIHU
Overview & Inspiration
Why doesn’t Ableton Live generate audio previews for custom presets? Why must you load every instrument just to audition the sound?
Sound Browser by killihu solves one of Live’s most frustrating limitations with instant audio previews for custom presets—browse through your ADG, ADV, ALC, AUPRESET, and VSTPRESET files with immediate playback, no loading delays, no memory consumption. Click to insert or drag-and-drop presets directly onto tracks from a floating window that stays visible while you work.
This two-device MaxforLive system includes both the browser and Preview Creator—a companion tool that automatically generates preview files with proper naming and folder placement, eliminating manual export workflows. Transform your custom preset library into a professional, instantly auditionable sound bank.
Features & Highlights
Instant Audio Preview for Custom Presets – Browse ADG, ADV, ALC, AUPRESET, and VSTPRESET files with immediate audio playback, bypassing Live’s slow preset loading system. Unlike Live’s native ALC preview (which loads instruments into memory), Sound Browser delivers truly instant playback.
Hierarchical Folder Organization – Structure your presets using a main folder containing categorized subfolders (e.g., “Piano & Keys” containing “Plucked,” “Synth Keys,” “Synth Lead”), with Sound Browser displaying your organization clearly and navigating it efficiently.
Multiple Insertion Methods – Click to insert presets instantly at the track position (Mac: instant, Windows: slight delay), or drag-and-drop presets onto tracks, racks, or Drum Rack pads for precise placement (instant on both platforms).
Three Interface Sizes – Scale the floating window between Small, Medium, and Big sizes to match your screen real estate and workflow preferences, with all controls remaining accessible at every size.
Preview Creator Device – Automatically generates FLAC preview files with correct naming (matching instrument names), proper folder placement (creating “Previews” folders automatically), and normalized audio levels—no manual export or file management required.
Intelligent Preview Creation Workflow – Place Preview Creator after your instrument, select the Sound Browser folder category, create a MIDI clip with your desired notes, and click Create. The device captures audio, shows progress, generates the file, and stops transport automatically.
FLAC Preview File Support – High-quality, lossless audio previews in FLAC format provide accurate sound representation while maintaining reasonable file sizes, stored in dedicated “Previews” subfolders within each category.
External Audio Output Routing – Route preview audio to different outputs than the device track, enabling monitoring through specific speakers or headphones without affecting your project’s routing configuration.
Adjustable Preview Volume – Dedicated preview volume control (click-and-drag) ensures comfortable auditioning levels independent of your track or master faders.
Random Preset Selection – Instantly audition random presets from the selected folder, perfect for discovering unexpected sounds or breaking creative blocks when searching for inspiration.
Always-On-Top Docking – Keep the Sound Browser window visible above all other applications, ensuring constant access to your preset library regardless of which Live view or external program is active.
Keyboard-Mappable Visibility Toggle – Assign a keyboard shortcut to show/hide the floating window instantly, integrating seamlessly into your existing workflow without mouse navigation.
Preset-Savable Configurations – Save different Sound Browser instances as Live device presets, creating specialized browsers for specific categories (e.g., one exclusively for percussion with Kick/Snare/Cymbal subfolders, another for synths).
Folder Refresh Function – Update the browser view instantly when adding or modifying presets in your folders while Sound Browser remains open, maintaining synchronization without reloading.
AU/VST Direct Support – Preview AU and VST presets directly without encapsulating them in racks, streamlining workflows with third-party instruments.
How to Use
Create a main folder containing subfolders for each preset category (e.g., “My Sounds” containing “Piano,” “Bass,” “Synth Lead,” etc.). Place your preset files (.adg, .adv, .alc, .aupreset, .vstpreset) inside the appropriate category subfolders.
Drop Sound Browser onto any track and drag your main folder from Finder/Explorer onto the device window, or click the open button to select it. Save the device as a Live preset to retain this configuration, or create multiple Sound Browser presets for different libraries (drums, synths, effects, etc.).
Navigate through subfolders in the floating window and click any preset name to hear instant audio preview. Click the Insert button to load the preset onto the track (instant on Mac, slight delay on Windows), or drag-and-drop for instant placement on any track, rack chain, or Drum Rack pad.
Use the Random button to audition unexpected sounds from the selected folder. Adjust preview volume by clicking the dB indicator and dragging vertically. Enable External Out to route preview audio to alternative outputs for monitoring.
To create preview files, place Preview Creator after your instrument. In Sound Browser, select the appropriate category folder—Preview Creator synchronizes automatically. Create a Session View MIDI clip (minimum one beat) containing the notes you want previewed, select the clip, and click Create in Preview Creator.
The device automatically starts transport, captures audio while displaying progress, normalizes the recording, names the file to match your instrument, creates “Previews” folders if needed, saves the file in the correct location, and stops transport. Use the Extra Time control to capture reverb tails or create longer MIDI clips for extended previews.
Ideal For
- Producers with extensive custom preset libraries requiring fast auditioning
- Sound designers organizing and browsing hundreds of instrument patches
- Electronic musicians frustrated by Live’s lack of custom preset previews
- Anyone who builds large ADG/ADV instrument collections
- Composers needing quick access to specific sounds without loading delays
- Studio owners maintaining organized, client-ready preset banks
What’s Included
- Sound Browser MaxforLive device (.amxd)
- Preview Creator MaxforLive device (.amxd)
- Complete PDF reference manual
- Floating window browser interface
- Instant audio preview playback (FLAC format)
- Support for ADG, ADV, ALC, AUPRESET, VSTPRESET formats
- Hierarchical folder navigation system
- Multiple insertion methods: click-to-insert and drag-and-drop
- Three interface sizes: Small, Medium, Big
- Automatic preview file generation with Preview Creator
- Adjustable preview volume control
- External audio output routing option
- Random preset selection button
- Folder refresh function
- Always-on-top docking capability
- Keyboard-mappable visibility toggle
- Preset-savable configurations for multiple libraries
- Mac-specific external components (11dragfiles.mxo, 11live.tools.mxo, shell.mxo by 11olsen)
Requirements
- Ableton Live 10 Standard (with MaxforLive) or Ableton Live 10 Suite or higher
- Ableton Live 11/12 Standard (with MaxforLive) or Suite also supported
- MaxforLive 8+ (Live 10-12.1) or MaxforLive 9+ (Live 12.2+)
- Compatible with both Mac and Windows
- Mac users: Additional installation steps required (see manual for Terminal commands)
- Note: One-click insert has delay on Windows, drag-and-drop is instant on both platforms
- Preview files stored as FLAC format in “Previews” subfolders
Explore More
Locator Manager | Device Navigator | Session Clips | Presets | View All killihu Products
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Sound Browser is a two-device MaxforLive system providing instant audio preview for custom Ableton presets (ADG, ADV, ALC, AUPRESET, VSTPRESET). It includes a floating browser for auditioning presets and Preview Creator for automatically generating preview files with proper naming and folder placement.
A: Yes, Sound Browser is a MaxforLive device.
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: Sound Browser supports ADG (Ableton Instrument Racks), ADV (Ableton Audio Effect Racks), ALC (Ableton Live Clips), AUPRESET (Audio Unit presets), and VSTPRESET (VST plugin presets). AU and VST presets can be previewed directly without encapsulating them in racks.
A: Create a main folder containing category subfolders (e.g., “My Sounds” with subfolders like “Piano,” “Bass,” “Synth Lead”). Place preset files inside the appropriate subfolders. Preview files (.flac) should be stored in “Previews” folders within each subfolder, which Preview Creator creates automatically.
A: Place Preview Creator after your instrument, select the appropriate category folder in Sound Browser (they synchronize automatically), create a Session View MIDI clip with your desired preview notes, select the clip, and click Create. Preview Creator automatically starts transport, captures audio, shows progress, normalizes the recording, names the file to match your instrument, creates necessary folders, saves the file correctly, and stops transport.
A: Live’s native ALC preview loads instruments into memory before playback, causing delays and consuming resources. Sound Browser uses pre-rendered FLAC audio files for truly instant preview with no loading time or memory impact. Additionally, Live doesn’t generate previews for custom ADG, ADV, or third-party AU/VST presets—Sound Browser solves this completely.
A: The one-click Insert function is instant on Mac but has slight delay on Windows. The drag-and-drop feature works instantly on both platforms, making it the preferred method for Windows users. Mac users must also complete additional installation steps (copying external components and running a Terminal command—see manual for details).
A: You can explore more of killihu’s tools and devices here: killihu
Important Information
v1.1 New features and improvements:
– Modified GUI to adapt to the new rack design in Live version 12.2, does not change the operation of the device.
January 2024 – v1.0 – 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.
