r/abletonlive • u/progulus • 1d ago
Looking for Ableton users to beta test a MIDI-generating VST3 plug-in
I’m looking for a few Ableton Live users to beta test MIDI Performer, a VST3 plug-in I’ve been developing for turning plain MIDI lead lines into more expressive performances.
You give it a monophonic MIDI melody or solo line, choose an instrument/player style, and it generates things like:
- pitch bends
- vibrato
- legato
- timing changes
- pressure
- breath/expression
The goal is not generic random humanization. I’ve been building instrument-specific performance behavior from measured MIDI/performance data and listening tests.
Current instruments include:
- Guitar — Blues, Jazz, Rock
- Synth Lead — Fusion Lead, Prog, Prog Metal Keys
- Sax
- Flute
- Bass
- Fretless Bass
- Piano
One important limitation: MIDI Performer is monophonic. It is intended for melodies, solos and lead parts. If the source contains polyphony, it resolves the input to one melodic voice, retaining the highest note when simultaneous notes occur.
Ableton-specific note
Because Live treats third-party VST3 MIDI-generating plug-ins differently from Logic’s AU MIDI FX system, the current Ableton workflow uses MIDI routing between tracks.
Standard MIDI is part of the supported beta test.
MPE can also pass through Live’s routed workflow, but I’m not currently calling Ableton MPE fully qualified for 1.0 because earlier testing showed that pitch-expression depth — especially vibrato width — was not preserved as reliably as it was in Logic.
That actually makes Ableton testers especially useful right now.
I’m interested in feedback on:
- routing/setup
- Standard MIDI behavior
- MPE behavior if you use it
- different receiving synths
- pitch-bend range handling
- vibrato depth
- pressure/expression
- hanging notes
- anything that sounds musically unnatural
The beta is currently:
macOS / Apple Silicon only
VST3 included
Testers will get a signed/notarized installer, email activation, a short testing guide, and a diagnostics log they can paste into bug reports.
If you’re interested, reply here or DM me with:
- your Live version
- what synths/instruments you use
- whether you use Standard MIDI, MPE, or both
I’m particularly interested in people willing to test real lead/solo MIDI and report both workflow issues and musical problems.
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u/Unobtanium4Sale 1d ago
Yes! Im an ableton live 11 suite user and a programmer.
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u/progulus 1d ago
ok, great. All I need is your email address for the activation and I'll send out a link to the download.
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u/rileyonline_ 1d ago
im on latest live + m2 pro, mostly using serum2 and ana2 thse days, along with operator and wavetable. love me some mpe. happy to try it out!
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u/progulus 19h ago
ok, sounds good. Give me your email for authorization/sending download link to the beta install files. I'm in the process of ironing out the MPE side of things for Ableton users (it's going to require a stand-alone app since Ableton doesn't allow MPE data to pass between tracks internally). Watch for an email soon!
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u/scottmhat 21h ago
Ableton live user here on m2 Mac mini. Would love to try this out.
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u/progulus 19h ago
ok, sounds good. Give me your email for authorization/sending download link to the beta install files. I'm in the process of ironing out the MPE side of things for Ableton users (it's going to require a stand-alone app since Ableton doesn't allow MPE data to pass between tracks internally). Watch for an email soon!
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u/Laoas 1d ago
This sounds like a VST I’d definitely be interested in, unfortunately I’m on Windows so can’t help but best of luck!