Subtraction Engine V2 by Manifest Audio
ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION – UNLOCK INFINITE VARIATIONS THROUGH STRATEGIC MUTING
MAKE YOUR OWN TRIPLE PACK: Buy any three or more Manifest Audio products at the same time and get a 20% Discount (automatically applied at checkout)
Sometimes the most powerful creative tool isn’t what you add—it’s what you take away. Subtraction Engine by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred is a generative MaxforLive MIDI performance effect that transforms existing sequences by strategically muting steps, creating instant variations, building tension, and unlocking hidden rhythmic and melodic possibilities.
Feed any MIDI into Subtraction Engine and sculpt it in real-time with up to 64-step control, manual or automatic randomization, and sophisticated probability controls. Lock certain steps to keep them steady while everything else evolves around them. Generate compelling patterns using Euclidean or count-based programming, then randomize from there—or reset back to your starting point whenever you want.
Inside you’ll find:
- Up to 64-step mute sequencer with polyrhythmic options
- Manual Dice and Auto Dice randomization modes
- Global and individual step probability controls
- Lock function to exempt specific steps from randomization
- Euclidean and count-based pattern generation
- Weighted randomization with directional bias
- Multiple play directions: forward, reverse, circular, randomized
- X-Relay integration for routing muted notes anywhere in your set
- 16 included presets for instant inspiration
- Full Info View annotations and comprehensive manual
Perfect for electronic music producers, live performers, and anyone who wants to add evolving variation to MIDI sequences without pre-programming every detail. Less is more—and Subtraction Engine proves it.
Requires Ableton Live Suite 12.1.x or higher with MaxforLive 9.0.x or higher (Live 11 compatible).
USER GUIDE: MFA Subtraction Engine v2 License + Manual
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Subtraction Engine V2 by Manifest Audio
ADDITION BY SUBTRACTION – UNLOCK INFINITE VARIATIONS THROUGH STRATEGIC MUTING
MAKE YOUR OWN TRIPLE PACK: Buy any three or more Manifest Audio products at the same time and get a 20% Discount (automatically applied at checkout)
Sometimes the most powerful creative tool isn’t what you add—it’s what you take away. Subtraction Engine by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred is a generative MaxforLive MIDI performance effect that transforms existing sequences by strategically muting steps, creating instant variations, building tension, and unlocking hidden rhythmic and melodic possibilities.
Feed any MIDI into Subtraction Engine and sculpt it in real-time with up to 64-step control, manual or automatic randomization, and sophisticated probability controls. Lock certain steps to keep them steady while everything else evolves around them. Generate compelling patterns using Euclidean or count-based programming, then randomize from there—or reset back to your starting point whenever you want.
Inside you’ll find:
- Up to 64-step mute sequencer with polyrhythmic options
- Manual Dice and Auto Dice randomization modes
- Global and individual step probability controls
- Lock function to exempt specific steps from randomization
- Euclidean and count-based pattern generation
- Weighted randomization with directional bias
- Multiple play directions: forward, reverse, circular, randomized
- X-Relay integration for routing muted notes anywhere in your set
- 16 included presets for instant inspiration
- Full Info View annotations and comprehensive manual
Perfect for electronic music producers, live performers, and anyone who wants to add evolving variation to MIDI sequences without pre-programming every detail. Less is more—and Subtraction Engine proves it.
Requires Ableton Live Suite 12.1.x or higher with MaxforLive 9.0.x or higher (Live 11 compatible).
USER GUIDE: MFA Subtraction Engine v2 License + Manual
Additional information
| MaxforLive | MIDI Devices |
|---|---|
| Ableton Live Compatibility | Ableton Live 12 Standard with MaxforLive, Ableton Live 12 Suite |
PRICE: Original price was: £18.00.£14.00Current price is: £14.00.
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Subtraction Engine V2 by Manifest Audio
Overview & Inspiration
Less is more. Addition by subtraction. Sometimes the path to creative breakthrough isn’t adding more, it’s strategically removing what doesn’t serve the groove.
Subtraction Engine is a generative MaxforLive MIDI performance effect created by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred that transforms the way you approach rhythm and melody. This isn’t about building sequences from scratch, it’s about sculpting them from existing material, muting specific steps to create variations, build tension, and unlock new expressions hidden within your MIDI.
Feed any MIDI sequence into Subtraction Engine and watch it come alive with infinite permutations. Whether you’re working with drums, melodies, or harmonies, this device gives you surgical control over which notes pass through and which get muted, manually or automatically.
Features & Highlights
Up to 64-Step Control – Work with patterns from 1 to 64 steps, with polyrhythmic options that let shorter cycles repeat within longer ones for evolving, dynamic sequences.
Manual & Auto Dice Randomization – Click the Dice button to instantly generate new step mute patterns, or enable Auto Dice mode to automatically randomize at specified intervals (measured in bars). Perfect for continuous evolution in live performance or studio experimentation.
Global & Individual Probability Control – The Global Probability Amount slider controls randomization likelihood for all steps simultaneously. But you can also set individual step probabilities—giving you precise control over which steps are more or less likely to change.
Lock Function – Set any step’s probability to 0% to lock it, exempting it from randomization entirely. This lets you anchor certain rhythmic or melodic elements while everything else shifts around them. Perfect for keeping kick drums steady while hi-hats evolve, or locking chord roots while upper voices vary.
Euclidean & Count-Based Programming – Generate compelling starting points using Euclidean sequencing or count-based patterns. Set the number of steps, fills, shifts, and inversions, then randomize from there, or reset back to your Euclidean foundation at any time.
Weighted Randomization Modes – Choose between Random mode (where percentages determine likelihood of change) or Weighted mode (where higher values bias steps toward “on” and lower values bias toward “off”). This gives you directional control over how randomization affects your patterns.
Multiple Play Directions – Select forward, reverse, circular, or randomized playback to completely transform how your sequence unfolds over time.
X-Relay Integration – Route muted steps anywhere in your Live set using the included X-Relay utility. Instead of simply silencing notes, send them to different instruments, effects, or MIDI destinations for complex layering possibilities.
Secure & Override Modes – In Secure mode, locked steps remain untouched during global randomization. Switch to Override mode to force all steps—even locked ones—to respond to the Global Randomization Amount slider.
Visual Playhead Indicator – Always know where you are in the 64-step cycle with the real-time playhead display that tracks Live’s transport.
How to Use
Place Subtraction Engine on any MIDI track before your instrument. It processes incoming MIDI, so make sure a MIDI clip is playing or generative MIDI devices are feeding it notes.
Start by clicking individual step toggles to manually design a mute pattern, or click the Dice button to instantly generate a random variation. Use the Global Probability slider to control how likely steps are to flip when randomized. Reduce individual step probabilities to 0% to lock them in place.
Enable Auto Dice mode to automatically generate new patterns at specified intervals, perfect for live performance or creating evolving arrangements. Experiment with Euclidean and Count modes to quickly generate musical starting points, then randomize from there.
Adjust the pattern length (up to 64 steps), set polyrhythmic rates, choose play direction, and route muted notes via X-Relay for maximum creative flexibility. Save your favorite configurations as presets for instant recall.
Ideal For
- Electronic music producers working with techno, house, ambient, IDM, and experimental genres
- Live performers who want dynamic, evolving sequences without pre-programming every variation
- Producers experiencing creative blocks, instant inspiration through controlled randomization
- Sound designers exploring generative and algorithmic composition techniques
- Anyone who wants to add variation, tension, and surprise to existing MIDI sequences
- Modular-minded musicians who appreciate Euclidean sequencing and polyrhythmic patterns
What’s Included
- MFA Subtraction Engine.amxd MaxforLive MIDI Effect device
- 16 included .adv presets for instant creative starting points
- X-Relay utility for advanced MIDI routing of muted steps
- Full Info View annotations for parameter guidance
- Comprehensive PDF manual with visual guides and FAQ
Requirements
- Ableton Live Suite 12.1.x or higher (Live 11 compatible but Live 12 recommended)
- MaxforLive 9.0.x or higher
- Mac or Windows operating system
MAKE YOUR OWN TRIPLE PACK: Buy any three or more Manifest Audio products at the same time and get a 20% Discount (automatically applied at checkout)
MIDI Toolset 001 | MIDI Toolset 002 | MIDI Toolset 003 | View All Manifest Audio Products
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Subtraction Engine is a generative MaxforLive MIDI performance effect created by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred that mutes steps of incoming MIDI sequences to create variations, build tension, and experiment with different rhythmic and melodic expressions. It features up to 64-step control, manual and automatic randomization, Euclidean sequencing, and sophisticated probability controls.
A: Yes, Subtraction Engine 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:
- Ableton Live Suite 12.1.x or higher (Live 11 compatible but Live 12 recommended)
- MaxforLive 9.0.x or higher
- Mac or Windows operating system
A: No, Subtraction Engine processes existing MIDI rather than generating it. You’ll need to trigger a MIDI clip or use generative MIDI devices before Subtraction Engine in your signal chain so it has incoming MIDI to process.
A: You can explore more of Manifest Audio’s tools and devices here: Manifest Audio
Important Information
V2 – Released November 2025
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.
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