mlrv

mlrv is a sampling instrument for grid-based music contollers like the monome, livid ohm/block, novation launchpad, and akai apc/mpd. the software allows a sound file or live recording to be mapped across each row and assigned a triggering behavior. within this simple set of constraints and a complete MIDI + OSC remote control system, the performer of electronic music can be freed from the laptop, and at the very least appear to be doing something interesting. mlrv is an refactoring of brian crabtree's original mlr, extended by trent gill (galapagoose) and michael felix (%) of /parallelogram/

sampling instrument?

consider the following performance, entitled "too many" by galapagoose. he's using mlrv 2.0 with a monome 128 and an akai mpd. this is live music, without a laptop to be seen.

and here's a performance from altitude sickness, demonstrating mlrv2's mapping capabilities with a tupperware-enclosed grid controller and korg nanokontrol.

requirements

Max/MSP version 5.1.8+ (free runtimes available for Mac and Windows)
~xsample Max external (included in download)
compatible grid controller

environment

midi clock input and sync output
rewire compatible
monome-compatible accelerometer control input

visual interface

designed with a focus on usability
extensible sample canvas
customizable top-row controls
customizable group colors

supported filetypes

sample playback modes

loop: the sample will repeat when it reaches the end
shot: the sample will play from the chosen slice to the end of the sample and then stop
slice: the sample will play when held and continue through the loop until released.
per-sample visual reslicing, pitch shifting, and speed control.

advanced preset management

sequence up to 32 presets with a visual setlist manager.
imports + converts preset files from older versions of mlrv and mlr2.
row data and mapping saved with preset.
remembers and recalls setup preferences and previous running state.
saved in a human-readable, json format. easily editable in a text editor.

integrated tools

delay: digital delay with filter, envelope & LFO, sync-able to bpm, controllable via grid.
sampler: record live input or resample live output to a row or grid cell.
expandable 'tabs' framework allows you to create your own inserts.

remote control options

remotely manipulate every available control parameter (sample start / end, tempo, faders, etc)
midi: click a button to enable 'mapping mode' then click on a parameter, and turn a knob on your midi controller (just like ableton live). mappings are saved with the preset, and can be edited on the fly.
OSC: each parameter has an associated OSC address, just connect a compatible device (like touchOSC), no external software necessary.

become an mlrv supporter / benefactor

mlrv is open source software, free to download and use. if you like it and find it becoming a part of your musical process (like we have), we ask that you consider contributing to its further development by purchasing a +supporter or +benefactor license, outlined below:

	user	+supporter	+benefactor
donation:	$0	$18	$80
free download:	×	×	×
your name on the startup screen:		×	in huge text
email notification of updates & downloads:		×	×
limited-edition galapagoose + % collabo 7" vinyl:			×
		via paypal	via paypal

← mlrv +supporters and +benefactors get their names displayed on the loading screen. +benefactors get the added bonus of having their names shown in huge text.

↓ mlrv +benefactors also receive a limited edition galapagoose + % collabo 7" vinyl record!

tutorial videos

here's the official mlrv2 tutorial video! please visit the video's vimeo page for a linkable table-of-contents.

and here's another tutorial video by livid instruments:

download it here!

below is a reverse-chronological list of all mlrv releases up to this date. find a bug? something doesn't work? please collect and report all issues in the mlrv google code bug tracker. if you need help or have questions about functionality, we suggest you first search the monome.org forums before leaving a new discussion topic, as this will help to prevent comment sprawl.

version/download	date	release notes
2.2	9/4/2011	more bugfixes! fixed issue where user would need to select their .json preset file twice before successful loading fixed windows pattr issue added 'auto store & save' option in setup pane where hitting 'store' also auto-triggers 'save' to write edits directly to disk bugfix in cell mode player system added 16F mode button to setup pane (temporary) fixed bug in cell mode which wasn't starting the xgroove player removed gain + filter control from psamp~ and confirmed xgroove player psamp~ player is functioning launchpad groups 5+6 now light with identical colours to groups 1+2 respectively deleting an entry from the mapping table now clears the pattr entry (renames it to placeholder 'empty slot) mapping ranges are now correctly saved and recalled un-slaved rows now correctly revert to tempo-lock when a new sample is loaded sampler now works without having to change the bpm setting last n-columns can now be looped by pressing a button and then the first slice in the row (the lights DON'T run backwards) livid controllers are no longer diagonally modulated from the standard layout envelope range for delay feedback no longer sets the lower limit to 0 when entering/exiting mapping mode group 5 is fixed in 6group mode (if problems persist, try reselecting the quantize setting) pattern recorders locked to quantize click for accurate re-engagement of press buffers fixed tap tempo to now work with all devices
2.1	18/02/2011	hella bugfixes in this one. please enjoy. APC mapping is now initialised properly and doesn't have conflicting button presses. Launchpad mapping no longer has stray LED feedback and loss of connectivity mlrv will auto-detect and attach to MIDI devices corresponding to APC and Launchpad AUX.maxpat has been renamed return.maxpat and now loads properly on windows machines computer-keyboard mapping is now possible through the MAPPING tab groups 5+6 now function properly and display in mixer section OSC settings now properly recall hostname setup pane has correct background colour 'INTERRUPT' is now auto selected as it is required to run the program properly 'OVERDRIVE' is now auto selected as the software will run more smoothly with it armed interface colours are now hidden and a dropdown is in it's place if the user wants to create a custom colour map the colour palette's are loaded by clicking 'custom' in the dropdown group colours are auto-selected in launchpad mode to match the group colours to LED colours mapping range now correctly saved (and recalled) with savefile mapping trigger for 'next tempo-GO' added led feedback for send.arm is fixed group stops are now recorded with pattern recorders when the option is selected in the setup pane preset.json is no longer overwritten on application close and will not be editable users can create default mappings by loading a new set and setting up their interface + setup pane and then saving the set as 'preset.json' tempo-lock is now re-instantiated when a file is reselected / octave setting reset inner-loops are functioning correctly in all modes now LED feedback is now wrapped for devices with less than the number of steps as the row has selected octave increment & decrement arrows now function as expected. default row-steps is now auto-selected to the appropriate length when the device is selected inner-loops are now preserved in immediate-changes mode when any parameter is adjusted (including start+end points!!) loadtime has been substantially lowered and download has been shrunk preset names can now include spaces new benefactors and supporters added
2.0	01/02/2011	initial release of mlrv 2.0 — apc & launchpad support is currently experimental. monome accelerometer control and ROW/CELL mode (aka 64F) are also not yet supported, groups 5 & 6 don't appear to work either, we'll get to this in an upcoming release. please be patient as we work out the bugs.

a /parallelogram/ joint

have a question? say hello@parallelogram.cc