Skinnerbox - Max4Live Synthesizer

The nerdy electronic duo Skinnerbox have released a free drum machine made with Max4Live, the sbx2049. It’s a six-voice drum machine that incorporates FM synthesis techniques and above all it produces unique sounds. Using Ableton’s own Operator as a source for drum kits has long been popular, but here the range of the sonic palette is still wider, or at least with a different approach. Interestingly, it really moves away from a typical Ableton workflow: the synth features and pattern sequencer are both built in, so while it runs in a Live environment, it feels more like a self-contained instrument.

The sbx2049 is a perfect example of the convergence of artist ideas and usefully innovative tools. You could load this up and make something that sounds exactly like Skinnerbox’s sounds. Or, push the knobs in another directions, and you can synthesize something very much your own. “Thanks to the two halves of Skinnerbox, Iftah and Olaf, for sending this our way.” (by createdigitalmusic.com)

It’s worth having a look through the video to see their approach to designing the instrument. Full details: Skinnerbox Movie and Live Pack