Polyfold
POLYCYCLIC, POLYMETRIC, POLYPHONIC MAX FOR LIVE SEQUENCER
Polyfold, designed by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred, gives you 16 independent parameter lanes with up to 1024 steps each, totalling up to 16,384 steps unfolding across polymetric cycles. It combines dual-stage rate architecture, a polyphonic pitch system, probabilistic control, and integrated OSC and MIDI routing into one unified sequencing ecosystem.
- Scale of control: 16 interdependent sequencers, up to 1024 steps per lane, independent loop lengths, directions, and bar resets per lane.
- Dual Stage Rate Architecture: Shared base rate shaped per step by independent Multiply and Divide sequencers, supporting even, triplet, and unrestricted rates for compound rhythmic folding.
- Polyphonic Pitch System: Four discrete-range pitch sequencers with per-note probability, preset pattern libraries, Euclidean octave control, transposition phrase sequencing, and Drums mode for instant Drum Rack usage.
- Probabilistic and expressive control: Chance lanes for Multiply, Divide, Pitch, Octave, Ratchet, and Delay; per-step deviation for Velocity and Length; unique ratchetting with pitch, velocity, and length decay.
- Modulation and routing: Two modulation sequencers with multi-mapping output, OSC transmission per sequencer, optional MIDI CC output, and up to 64 X-Relay routing busses.
- Live 12 integration: Natively scale and key aware, theme adaptive, and fully optimised for Push with all parameters accessible.
Manifest Audio
Manifest Audio delivers inspiration to your studio via innovative creative tools developed for Max for Live by Ableton Certified Trainer, Noah Pred.
View all products by Manifest AudioOverview
Multidimensional Sequencing System
Every sequencer you have used before has felt the ceiling. Eight steps, sixteen, sixty-four, and then you are looping the same phrase. Polyfold removes that ceiling. Sixteen independent lanes, each running up to 1024 steps with its own loop length, direction, and bar reset, unfold across polymetric cycles that compound on themselves. Dual Multiply and Divide sequencers reshape the base rate at every single step, which means the rhythmic structure breathes and shifts in ways a fixed grid simply cannot reach.
Your pitch material is equally deep. Four discrete pitch sequencers run in parallel, each with per-note probability, preset pattern libraries, and optional Euclidean octave control. Chance lanes, per-step deviation, and an expressive ratchet architecture with pitch and velocity decay add controlled fragmentation whenever you need it. OSC transmission, MIDI CC output, and up to 64 X-Relay routing busses send sequences anywhere in your Live set. Natively scale and key aware in Live 12, theme adaptive, and fully mapped for Push, Polyfold is the sequencing infrastructure your long-form compositions have been waiting for.
- 16 interdependent sequencers with up to 1024 steps per lane, independent loop length, direction, and bar reset per lane, totalling up to 16,384 steps across the device
- Dual Stage Rate Architecture: shared base rate modified per step by independent Multiply and Divide sequencer lanes, supporting even, triplet, and unrestricted rates for compound rhythmic folding and layered subdivision
- Polyphonic Pitch System with four discrete-range pitch sequencers, per-note probability, preset pattern libraries, random pattern selection, and internal custom pattern storage and recall
- Optional Octave sequencer with Euclidean control, Transposition phrase sequencer, real-time MIDI transposition, and Drums mode for instant Drum Rack usage
- Chance lanes for Multiply, Divide, Pitch 1 to 4, Octave, Ratchet, and Delay; per-step deviation lanes for Velocity and Length across all parameter lanes
- Unique ratchetting with pitch, velocity, and length decay, pitch decay deviation, and optional clip, wrap, and fold behaviours for intricate probabilistic ornamentation
- Two modulation sequencers with dedicated mappers, Depth, Jitter, Smooth, and activation controls, combining for multi-mapping output across the set
- OSC transmission per sequencer, optional MIDI CC output, and up to 64 X-Relay routing busses for distributed MIDI output across your Live set
- Natively integrated with Live 12 scale and key, device colours that adapt automatically to your Live theme, and all parameters ready and available on Push
- Global lock system, multiple play modes, optional global swing, global octave and semitone transposition, and a Grid view option for structural control
- Max for Live MIDI Device .amxd device
- User manual (PDF)
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Important Information
CHANGELOG
v1.1.5 · released 30 Sep 2026
Resolved an issue where Time-based millisecond rates might not be stored as expected.
v1.1.4 · 28 September 2026
Clock improvements and a new optional force Quantization parameter.
v1.1.3 · 27 September 2026
Powers of 2 quantization option on both Multiply and Divide rate sequencers.
v1.0.1 · 26 September 2026
Powers of 2 quantization option on both Multiply and Divide rate sequencers.
INSTALLATION
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.
LICENSE
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PLEASE READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LICENSE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THIS PROGRAM INSTALL.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Polyfold?
Polyfold is a polycyclic, polymetric, polyphonic Max for Live sequencer designed by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred. It provides 16 independent parameter lanes each with up to 1024 steps, a dual-stage rate architecture, a polyphonic pitch system, probabilistic control, and integrated OSC and MIDI routing, all within Ableton Live.
Which version of Ableton Live do I need to run Polyfold?
Polyfold requires Ableton Live 12.0 Standard or Suite with Max for Live. It runs on both Mac and Windows.
How does Polyfold differ from a standard step sequencer?
Most sequencers operate within 8 to 64 step limits. Polyfold supports up to 1024 steps per lane across 16 independent lanes, totalling up to 16,384 steps. Each lane has its own loop length, direction, and bar reset. Dual Multiply and Divide sequencers reshape the base rate at every step, enabling rhythmic structures that a fixed-grid sequencer cannot produce.
Can Polyfold send MIDI and modulation to other devices in my Live set?
Yes. Each pitch lane can be independently routed via the bundled X-Relay utility for distributed MIDI output. Polyfold also offers OSC transmission per sequencer, optional MIDI CC output, and up to 64 X-Relay routing busses, so sequences can be sent anywhere in your set.
Does Polyfold work with Live 12's scale and key system?
Yes. Polyfold is natively integrated with Live 12’s scale and key for a seamless workflow. The step edit display shows notes with the scale and key applied.
Is Polyfold optimised for Push, and does it adapt to my Live theme?
Yes. All parameters are ready and available on Push. Device colours also adapt automatically to your preferred Live theme.
In Depth
Polyfold: A Full Sequencing Ecosystem for Ableton Live
Most sequencers give you 8 to 64 steps and call it creative freedom. You already know the ceiling that sets. Polyfold, designed by Ableton Certified Trainer Noah Pred, operates on a different scale entirely. It is a polycyclic, polymetric, polyphonic Max for Live sequencer with 16 independent parameter lanes, each holding up to 1024 steps. That is 16,384 total steps unfolding across your Live set, with every lane running its own loop length, direction, and rate.
Polyfold is not a sketch tool or a generative effect. It is a full sequencing ecosystem, combining hardware-grade step depth with advanced modulation routing and long-form compositional control in a single device.
16 Independent Parameter Lanes
Each of the 16 lanes handles a specific job: Multiply, Divide, four Pitch lanes, Octave, Transpose, Chance, Velocity, Length, Delay, Hold, and two Mod lanes. Every lane runs independently, with its own loop length, direction, play mode, and optional bar reset. A global lock system lets you selectively freeze structure across lanes while others continue to evolve. Global octave and semitone transposition, optional global swing, and multiple play modes all sit inside the same unified interface.
Dual Stage Rate Architecture
The Multiply and Divide lanes are themselves sequencers. They combine per step to modify the shared Base Rate, which means the rhythmic grid itself folds and shifts cycle by cycle. Even, triplet, and unrestricted rates are all available. Each rate stage carries its own unique length, so compound per-step rhythmic control emerges naturally as the lanes interact. The result is layered subdivision that would take several devices to approximate anywhere else.
Polyphonic Pitch System
Four discrete-range pitch sequencers run in parallel. Each carries per-note probability, access to preset pattern libraries, random pattern selection, and internal custom pattern storage. An optional Octave sequencer adds Euclidean control. An optional Transposition phrase sequencer and real-time MIDI transposition sit alongside it. The whole system is scale-aware, natively integrated with Live 12’s key and scale settings so every note lands in context. A Drums mode gives instant compatibility with Drum Rack. Each pitch lane routes independently via the bundled X-Relay utility, with up to 64 routing busses sending sequences wherever they need to go across your set.
Extended Parameter Sequencing and Ratchet Architecture
Multiply, Divide, each Pitch lane, Octave, Ratchet, and Delay all carry dedicated chance lanes. Velocity and Length carry per-step deviation lanes. Every parameter lane features expressive output ranges for real-time control. The ratchet system is its own architecture: pitch, velocity, and length each decay independently, with pitch decay deviation and optional clip, wrap, and fold behaviours. Controlled density, fragmentation, and rate-relative recursive rhythmic subdivision all emerge probabilistically inside your cycles, without manual programming of every event.
Modulation and External Control
Two modulation sequencers combine for multi-mapping output, each with dedicated mappers featuring Depth, Jitter, Smooth, and activation controls. OSC transmission is available per sequencer alongside optional MIDI CC output. That extended routing means Polyfold reaches well beyond the instrument it is sitting on, controlling external software and hardware across your full setup.
Workflow Integration
Polyfold reads your Info View annotations directly in Live: hover over any parameter and the detail appears without leaving your session. The device adapts visually to your chosen Live theme. Every parameter is mapped and available on Push. Scale and key sync with Live 12 natively, so transposing your set takes Polyfold with it automatically.
What Is New in Version 1.1.1
The Octave sequencer gains a Main or Transpose clock toggle. The step edit display now shows the note with scale and key applied, so what you see reflects what you hear.
What Was New in Version 1.1
Two dedicated modulation mappers arrived for each Mod sequencer, with Depth, Jitter, Smooth, and activation. Euclidean and Count-based pattern options were added to the Length sequencer. A new Grid view option was introduced alongside a range of improvements and optimisations.
Compatibility
Polyfold requires Ableton Live 12.0 Standard or Suite on Mac or Windows.
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