Description

Input-stage conditioning for Ableton Live.

A focused Max for Live audio effect designed to shape how a signal hits the rest of your chain, rather than adding colour at the end.

Version 2 is a refinement of the original idea, with improved control, behaviour, and predictability in real mixing scenarios.

Who this is for

Input Transformer is useful if your tracks feel:

too clean or brittle before compression and EQ

unstable when hitting saturation or dynamics

harsh when you try to add density early in the chain

Common use cases include:

drums and drum buses

bass and synths that need weight without flattening transients

sample stacks and groups where consistent input level matters

What’s included

Input Transformer

A subtle input-stage saturation tool designed to live at the very front of a chain, shaping level and harmonics before downstream processing reacts.

Intended behaviour

This device is intentionally restrained.

The goal is not obvious distortion, but to make downstream processing behave more consistently by stabilising the input stage.

It’s designed to be something you leave on, not something you automate heavily.

Requirements

Ableton Live with Max for Live enabled

Works in Live 11 and Live 12

macOS and Windows supported via Ableton

Delivered as a Max for Live audio effect (.amxd)