Groove Control for Ableton Live

By default, the parameters in Ableton's Groove Pool cannot be mapped to MIDI, macros, or keys. This means they cannot be controlled or automated like a typical parameter. Groove Control, a Max For Live device, gives you the power to control these parameters, unlocking countless new rhythmic possibilities.

Instructions:

Add the device to a track that contains the clip you want to affect. Click the clip to highlight it, click the Clip button on the device to select it, and choose a groove from the dropdown. This will apply the groove to the clip. Adjust the parameters on the device and they will affect the parameters in the pool. You can now map and automate them.

Some convenient uses:

See changes as new MIDI info: Add the device to an empty MIDI track and route MIDI to another track. Create a clip on the empty send track and use the device to create automation. Record the MIDI input on the second track. Instead of automation data, this second MIDI track will show the groove param changes as new MIDI information, similar to clicking the commit button in a clip's groove settings.

Create new grooves: After creating a MIDI clip that shows the changes as new MIDI info, right click the clip and choose "Extract Groove". Add this new groove to the pool and repeat the process to keep coming up with new rhythms.

Use macro variations to trigger specific grooves: Place the device in a MIDI effect rack, map the dropdown to a macro, and create a variation for each value. Map the variation triggers to switch between grooves easily.

Use hold settings to keep params consistent: Turn on the hold settings for multiple parameters and switch between grooves to hear their differences with similar settings.

Make multiple clips follow the same groove: After creating automation for a specific groove, add a new instance of the device to a different track. Apply the same groove to a clip and turn on follow mode. Repeat this process for any other clip to keep grooves consistent across multiple tracks.

Use with other devices: Use the Max audio effect "XY Pad" to control two params at once. Use "MultiMap" to control the Groove Pool's global setting for an extra level of control. Instead of the random parameter (which only affects timing information), use "Device Randomizer" to randomize across all parameters.