Building Live Loopers in Max Example Patchers and Companion Software

The Building Live Loopers in Max example patchers provide the complete set of downloadable companion software used throughout the book Building Live Loopers in Max.

The book Building Live Loopers in Max is available here.

This package includes the full collection of Max patchers featured in the book, covering:

  • Tape-style loopers — fixed-length loops inspired by classic tape-based designs
  • Multitrack loopers — layer multiple loops asynchronously or synchronously
  • Overdubbing loopers — manipulate pitch, speed, direction, and effects while looping
  • gen~ and RNBO examples — explore low-level signal processing, sample-accurate control, and portable, exportable workflows

Whether you’re a student, performer, or educator, these example patchers offer hands-on tools for experimenting, composing, and performing with live looping in Max.

The download is a Max package. To install it, copy the package folder into Max’s Packages directory.

The user-specific Packages folder is located at:

  • Windows: %HOMEDRIVE%%HOMEPATH%\Documents\Max 9\Packages
  • macOS: ~/Documents/Max 9/Packages

A system-wide Packages folder is also available at:

  • Windows: %HOMEDRIVE%\ProgramData\Max 9\Packages
  • macOS: /Users/Shared/Max 9/Packages

Once installed, the package automatically adds a patcher titled “Building Live Loopers in Max Examples” to the Extras menu in Max.

Current version 0.9.1 – Released 01-10-2026

Pricing:
This is a pay-what-you-want download.
$0 is absolutely fine. If you’d like to support the project, feel free to contribute any amount.
An email is required for download.

Y2K25 Internation Live Looping Festival

I’m thrilled to be returning to the Y2K International Live Looping Festival—it’s been a long time! I’ll be performing as part of the Headliners Concert on Sunday night, November 9, 2025, and I’ll be around for …

Duo Cataclysm (Jeff Kaiser / Seth Davis) at Splice Festival

FRIDAY January 24, 2025 CONCERT 37:00pm, Dalton Recital Hall Dalton Center, Western Michigan University1300 Theatre Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008 Chris Biggs, Per Bloland, Zaira Castillo, Seth Andrew Davis, Scott Deal, Ethan Franklin, Jeff Kaiser, Keith Kirchoff, …

Concert, Future Music DC: Chet Udell / Cecilia Suhr / Jeff Kaiser

Rhizome, DC. 6950 Maple St NW, Washington DC 20012 Saturday November 9 * 4-6pm * $10-20 * TICKETS https://www.rhizomedc.org/new-events/2024/11/9/future-music-dc-chet-udell-cecilia-suhr-jeff-kaiser From the site: Join us for an exhilarating matinee performance of 3 intrepid electronic musicians offering a …

New Video – The Heavy is the Root of the Light

The Heavy is the Root of the Light is a new composition I have been working on featuring my Max for Live robots (KaiGen) and the new version of my Max for Live plugin jk.reverser. PLEASE …

Speed Control Max for Live Plugin: MIDI Keyboard – Looper Speed

Speed Control Max for Live Plugin

This Max for Live Plugin maps your MIDI keyboard/controller to the Speed dial of Ableton Live’s Looper enabling you to change the loop speed by semitones (from -36 to +36) with your MIDI keyboard or controller.

This allows you to to play melodies with your live loops, map KaiGen-M, MIDI randomizers, or other creative options.

Speed Control can also be hacked in Max to map and scale to other device parameters.

This is not a VST and requires Ableton Live Suite or a Max for Live license.

Instructions:

  1. Drop this device on a MIDI track
  2. Assign your MIDI controller to that same track using “MIDI From”
  3. Click “Map Dial”
  4. Go to the track with the Looper and wiggle the Speed dial.
  5. MIDI notes 24 through 96 now map to the speed dial.
  6. “C” at 60 puts the looper at original speed
  7. Or double click the dial to return it to original speed
  8. To stop mapping, click “Stop Map”

Special thank-you to Andre Lafosse for the question that led to this plugin, and he did a video with it!

Please note this is a Max for Live (M4L) plugin only for Ableton Live, not a VST, AAX, or AU.

Software is “Name Your Own Price.”
$0.0 is fine, but if you would like to contribute, any amount is appreciated. Thank you!

Larval – Jeff Kaiser, Seth Andrew Davis, Kevin Cheli

Larval

Jeff Kaiser (trumpet & laptop/electronics)

Seth Andrew Davis (electric guitar & laptop/electronics)

Kevin Cheli (drums/percussion, objects)

Available as CD or digitally (linked below)

Recorded October 21, 2021 at Weights and Measures Soundlab in Kansas City, MO

Engineered by Duane Trower

Artwork by Kevin Cheli

All music © 2021 by Jeff Kaiser, Kevin Cheli, Seth Andrew Davis

Released by Mother Brain Records