Super Awesome Sounds & the Origin of Isotonik Studios with Darren E Cowley

Darren E Cowley joins Brian Funk to share the roots of Isotonik Studios, the spark behind the Super Awesome Sounds pack, and the creative ethos driving one of the most respected names in Max for Live development.

A Deep Dive into Vintage Casio Tones, Max for Live Experiments, and Collective Creation

Super Awesome Sounds Pack

Brian Funk unveils a fresh Ableton Live pack built around the nostalgic tones of the Casio SA‑xx series. Each keyboard tone was sampled, mapped, and transformed into a range of instrument racks. Alongside these, a collection of around 30 audio effect racks adds depth and flexibility. Designed for fast inspiration and broad stylistic use, the pack is available in both demo and full versions via Brian’s site or music production club.

Darren Cowley on Building Isotonik Studios

Guest Darren Cowley—founder of Isotonik Studios—recounts his journey from creating pause-tape megamixes in the ’80s to shaping tools that drive the Max for Live community.

• Early fascination with DJing led to the creation of handmade mixtapes sold in local shops.
• After a career in retail leadership, he pivoted to Ableton Live, driven by a need to solve practical performance problems with controllers like the APC40 and Launchpad.
• Through trial and error, Darren built custom Max for Live templates and devices—his earliest ones shared freely and used by thousands, including touring artists like Tensnake.

The Collective Grows

What began as personal experimentation evolved into a curated collective of Max for Live developers and artists.

• The Isotonik Collective now includes dozens of contributors, each bringing unique tools and philosophies.
• Releases are intentionally paced—built to solve musical problems, not just fill a release calendar.

Ethos of the Work

Darren’s approach centres on a few key ideas:

• Creative resonance: If a tool doesn’t inspire him personally, it won’t be published.
• Musical intention: Tools should have clear utility—whether in performance, production, or creative play.
• Community roots: Open collaboration and user feedback remain central to Isotonik’s evolution.
• Playfulness and utility: Even arcade-inspired sequencers are grounded in real, usable workflows.