Henrik Schwarz on the Schwarzonator (Max for Live)

Henrik Schwarz, Berlin's own jazz/soul/electronica legend, has created an amazing Max for Live patch. Check out the Schwarzonator: www.ableton.com/schwarzonator

[@Simbosan]

I can't believe the negative responses. In order to program this he had to learn the scales, the chords. What he has done is very clever and in the process of writing this plugin he will have discovered more about music theory that most of these critics know, and best of all he taught himself. Good on you mate, that's awesome S

[@maxdavidsoncox1]

agree with you, let music happen, no matter how its created

[@FooYeezy]

OMG you damn haters. so people with less musician abilities aren't allowed to make cool beats wow guys thats just selfish. Just let people have fun making music and let ppl with less abilities than you mozarts have more success than they did before. wow. i really don't get the behavior of some ppl in here. pce

[@weaponEX]

BRILLIANT What an arpegiator is to rhythm, this is to melody - it's nothing to be threatened by.

[@kaonashicom]

you changed my life a little bit today, thank you x

[@MuslimShortanov]

This is a game changer ! Thank you for such a great plugin

[@geeetube1]

The refusal to name the scales is quite intriguing and ridiculous at the same time- considering this app is for those who are not so musically apt.... and so jamming with other non musical people would be a nightmare!"Alright- lets jam!! I'll bring in the rythym, you add in a bassline, you chuck in a solo and you over there in the corner- you chuck in a riff- Alright lets go!!!"TWO MINUTES LATER"Whoa- Ok hang on a minute- whoa- that didn't sound great- I thought this was meant to make us sound great? What scale you playing in?""im playing in the 'leave-my-head-alone' key""oh well that's why then- I was playing in the 'giant-double-dipped-chocolate-banana' key""ahhhh makes sense!!! No point me playing 'monkeys-swinging-from-an-electric-wire' key if the bloke in the corner is playing in the 'raindrops-falling-like-atom-bombs' key"" OK THEN- EVERYONE lets jam in the 'grab-it-by-the-thruff-of-the-scrote' key"And a 1 2 3 4....

[@JorenWinge]

Exactly what I was thinking. I tried to use this the other day and was like "this would be great if it actual worked in major and minor scales - otherwise it's pretty much useless.

[@xivallora8834]

Lul. Word

[@goudagrishhdoe8925]

exactly.

[@MrBlueHaze]

Wonderful program thank you!!!!

[@RockstahRolln]

Insane!! Love this!!

[@wrlmuzik]

I'm a trained musician and producer. When I wanted to get into Djing, I didn't have the skills of beat matching, using vinyl or CDs, and Ableton Live allowed me to get out and Dj without having to learn these things. And of course I was criticized for my technique, that I wasn't a "real DJ." I support this plug-in because it is a chance for non-musicians to be musicians, just as a non-dj like myself can now be a Dj. it's all about having a passion for music and ableton makes it possiblel.

[@MrBlueHaze]

Great program. Thanks.

[@BenarAndres]

Thank you so much! It's a great plug in!

[@ItsWesSmithYo]

2023, Wish I could find this 🖤😎🙌

[@udomatthiasdrums5322]

i like your work since 6 years or so. may be this is the next step in music 2.0.

[@tobylawrence2589]

That;s so awesome.

[@DarkShroom]

this looks damn cool :) really well thought out

[@seratoloquetuquiera]

cheers mate. I hope to see some more Max for Live creations like this one here.

[@Kek5kopF]

this is sick. awsome!

[@RRKS69]

Very nice... Live just gets better and better. I haven't played with Max yet but I have a feeling it will change the way a lot of people make music in the not so distant future. Thank you Ableton. Cheers

[@ss-yg1jr]

GENIOUS! THANKS! DANKE HERR SCHWARZ!

[@Frbrdt]

I miss this year and this time so much :(

[@pastagoras]

deep

[@sabienflint]

I'm currently using this as a learning tool, very intuitive.

[@davezuls]

Dude! - I don't tell many people this but I think I love you!

[@BenBen808]

So good to the hear insightful, observant comments. All to often these post are full with overcritical/ condemnatory comments. I concur that this is an advancement, a labour saving device.

[@reedybloke]

I work with young people who often have a difficult relationship with learning because they have a difficult relationship with school and think that is what learning is. I have used Ableton, and with some clips and a careful set up, they are making music in minutes. Just knowing about basic simple structures like the emotion of black and white notes, descending and ascending scales, pauses and pace in playing means they don't have to learn the music theory to add their thing to sound of the clips. Often, once they have made something, and feel good with what they made, they then ask, 'Tell me again about the black note thing.' so I play some tunes that evoke different moods and they then get it. They start with making something that works musically, then they want to learn more. For movies this is great as people ask 'Where did the soundtrack come from?' and the kid goes 'I made it!' and the people go 'Wow. I didn't know you could play keyboards'. And so it goes. It's not for everybody but for some students, making music electronically, at school, it a much better way of getting them to want to learn music. Music is a thinking thing but is more a making thing. Ableton and stuff like this makes making easier.

[@APPLEPLAYAPPLESING]

Super!!!

[@christwagon1980]

This guy is pretty smart and orginal for coming up with such a great tool. Just remember we should all play music for other people not our egos. 95% of people listening to music only care about how well the music sounds, not what technique you used to achieve that sound. This will be amazing to use with Komplete 7. My ocean keeps getting deeper and deeper.

[@michelprins]

thx for the nice plugin henrik, were can i find info on how to make my own keysets ans save them for re-use? your website the plugin links to is down.

[@fermixx]

@AppA its not just about helping with music theory. you can always grab a book in the studio. I think the major benefit of this plug in is during a live show, because it prevents you from doing big mistakes. It also helps with improvisation, specially with various band members that probably didnt rehearse that much.

[@BOUNDLA]

@blissful0ne nvm i just answered my own question (i think...?) is it a c minor with the 4th and 6ths degrees taken out?? I'm still learning music dont b too mean :b

[@fourhands9424]

What is the diference whit the MIDI effects Scale or Chord.??

[@TW909]

it reminds me of chord memory on some synths except the chords fit into a predetermined scale. awesome.

[@MrEcomist]

awesome patch! I can control other vst instruments,like operator or other?...i want to use this for a midi send machine..

[@MikeRat77]

I've been using this program for years, and when I saw this, I thought it was fucking awesome. I started where this guy started, but was never afraid to press notes. Yet I'm still going to get this patch. Because it's a good fucking patch. Case closed.

[@darrenheath23]

Wow...genius!

[@Hotz777]

The Hotz Midi Translator Software has been doing Chord and Scale interactive play along for many years and has recently been updated. It can run in an integrated fashion with Ableton Live, for very serious real-time interactive creative performance and writing. Also, it has extremely fast processing and the largest database of Chords and Scales in a single reference. Check out Videos on KZbin or go to the Jimmy Hotz website and see an amazing tool that can enhance your Ableton performances.

[@endscow]

So in summary: "Yeah, I know nothing about music but I do have hands! It's so unfair that up until now people like have me been excluded from performing in public just because we can't actually play any musical instruments. But now that's all changed! This is the dawn of a new age and now everyone can jab their fists at keyboards on stage everywhere alongside even the most talented keyboard players without fear. I present to you the keyboard child safety lock!"

[@KarlDALI]

Cheating or not, that is fucking awesome!

[@midinerd]

It's written in javascript, and javascript-based information for scales and chords is already well-documented/written about here since like 93: looknohands.com/chordhouse/piano I like how he gave it network/wifi functionality to distribute the melodic information to other plugins and other computers. that is the main genius with it as far as I'm concerned

[@kanske92]

very nice pluggggggggin

[@654654321321]

Agreed. Passion and inspiration or more important than technical mastery. Technology always makes it easier and there will always be nay sayers condemning it as too easy. The first person who invented the flute caught all kinds of flack from the whistlers of the world.

[@DZMPLZ]

Dopest shit made ...just amazing thank you hanrik!!!!

[@IvorThomas]

I'd love a variation of this idea in which the output scale would be dynamic and taken from a chord chart. For instance, the first measure is assigned to Cmaj7 and the second F/G. Any notes or chords played would fit those scales as the song progresses. To make it even cooler, you could have the keyboard split so the left hand chords are always chord-scale accurate but the right hand can play melodies with more 'outside' notes. Make it and take my money! :-)

[@tonvibration]

really nice and well thought patch... like the attitude:) I´ve did something simular for the Jazzmutant Lemur ("Scalomat"). It is so nice that we can build our own tools. that brings up new ideas...and it is not about beeing "no musican";)

[@titovalasques]

I would have to say that I appreciate both the music and the prowess. All I'm saying is that it actually opens creative doors for anyone learning the theory behind notes and chords rather then just having it handed to you. What if you felt that what this app was doing, didn't coincide with what was in your head? Or am I still missing the point?

[@YesterdaysIDOL]

thats neat.

[@MycoalClawsin]

I am having the strangest problem... Started out using the chord set "back to me", which doesnt appear in the default drop down list but did come up when i used the select scroll to select anything higher than 18... Now I can't find that chord set at all. Anyone else have this problem?

[@paulshillitomusic]

"I'm playing all the right notes-but not necessarily in the right order." - Eric Morecamb Great idea for the non players - like me :-)

[@cavalier777]

alright, I personally started from piano, so my approach is pretty stereotypical, but it's a very solid way to start: I used the faber and faber series of piano books when I was young, and later I played a lot of Chopin and Uematsu arrangements. After that, listen to jazz musicians and try to learn that. You'll pick up all you need to make electro & w/e. Remember that this has been a 12-year process for me, so just stick with it and you'll have it.

[@MattRozak]

may the schwarz be with you.

[@hihelloyou88]

13 years old..

[@cavalier777]

without guys like us, nothing from classical to metal solos would exist.

[@spankazoid]

this is amazing and also the ultimate cheat !

[@Trommer]

hello hello @ableton !! there are any place that i could download this?

[@BOUNDLA]

So what is the scale "leave my head alone brain?"

[@wehkah]

really great example, i need max4live ...

[@relayism]

Is that a live act at 12:40 or i can find that sound somewhere?

[@LIGGYMUSIC]

I need help. I downloaded version 2 and i tried it out but how can you make new chords? For example i dont want to play chord sets from Ame Rej or Herniks Leave me alove etc. For example i want A minor scale and i want to play all the chords from there and use options that offers. Thanks

[@Ableton]

To have your own chords, simply use the MIDI effects Scale or Chord.

[@LIGGYMUSIC]

+Ableton i know about that but i cant use features of this plugin then (dynamics, spreading etc)

[@TheInstitor]

Music is basically the usage of tools to achieve ones goal of transferring an idea to the audience. Let's say making music equals walking. On day one you are not able walk. Now you start to train every day and become a master at it. This requires hard work and a lot of time. But you are ultimately able to move freely, to jump, to dance, to express yourself in every movement you do and receive the joy of doing so. Now lets assume you didn't train but took a mechanical prothesis....

[@TJ-hs1qm]

Still not getting it.. What's the purpose.. to automate chord changes like a ii V I and improvise over those changes in any key without having to know the actual scales involved ? Sounds right to me. I could imagine to match the Dorian mode the ii chord and every one else would be forced to stay in that mode for as long as the ii chord lasts. That's pretty awesome. That could also work for key changes.

[@s.t.6627]

I can't find it anywhere? Anyone care to help?

[@SkeletinProductions]

I agree i mean people work hard to play music and now we press buttons and it does for us

[@CROOCKLYN1]

Sehr cooles Tool

[@fukademous]

I have a cat to fall on my keyboard... why do I need a human for this?

[@estevancarlos]

@grampskvideo I agree although I hope people learn some theory from this. Assuming it comes with strong documentation.

[@bobvanluijt]

Owjeh, Quote: 02:55 "The chordsets are not named like Fmaj7") That's not so unlogic because Fmaj7 is a chord, but not a scale. And he is using scales. For the ones interested... That "not a scale but a song title" it's C pentatonic minor" ;-p

[@FreedomBeats]

ye man exactly my point

[@ptubeyall]

to all the haters.. people used to say the same thing about drum machines, stop judging and shitting on peoples ideas and dreams and maybe focus that energy into your own music

[@solconnection2]

@gold95 alas no, its for ableton live only

[@maramanand1]

can any thing get crazier than max for live........? i don't think so........ he was rite...... it surely is a revolution.....

[@bobvanluijt]

That's true, so that's why I became one :-)

[@entelekhia]

straight jacket music

[@shotrax]

Smart

[@LordshipEtor]

option when the device plays a 7th chord, to give it an exit to totaly other scale? exymple: let's say from E-flat minor TO B-flat minor or F-minor or E-minor, etc etc...I mean,this product what u did is really fantastic, and i really CONGRATULATE YOU!!!!, but suddenly, it opened a big amount of options, and i think this is one of them, and if u look at the other side, i think u began a revolution in making electronic music for people who has no clue about music theory

[@SiHargreaves]

Has any one linked up the names he's given to their proper scale names? I'm too much of a dummy to do so but this tool would be way more helpful if it had the proper names...

[@SiHargreaves]

Thanks for checking it out any way! I gave up on it haha, I just don't have the knowledge to make sense of it all.

[@catgotwasted2]

***** Ionian Dorian Phrygian Lydian Mixolydian Aolian Locrian then back to Ionian (or root note of a mode.)

[@RichardEastes]

***** Do you know which one is A# minor chord?

[@catgotwasted2]

Major. Minor. Minor. Major. Major. Minor. Diminished.

[@mightybazooka]

***** hi orange, what other plugins are you speaking of? I wanted to get cubase 7/8 just for its chord track function but as an ableton user already id rather find a vst (i also dont have the money for cubase)!

[@Kkidzz]

Sehr Spass aber , You would think that after one went through programming the patch you would then ultimately start to understand note/chord progressions. There is something to be said for fumbling through playing/trying out different combinations of notes by ear.......

[@OscoCaster]

Everyone who is saying that he has probably learnt a lot from making this plugin is missing the point. People will rely on things like this in the future, and end up knowing very little about what they are actually doing. If in 10 years time everyone was using this software, and then you took it away from all of them and told them to make a good tune, chances are they would not have a clue of what they were doing.

[@doofuso67]

what midi keyboard is that??

[@hageir]

The save chord set doesn't work for me :(

[@LordshipEtor]

Hi, my name is Bojan and i'm from Slovenia ( not Slovakia...:)). Ok, that doesn't matter now, what i eantes to say is at first that i really have to congratulate u, on what u did with that Schwarzonator. To cut the story short, i have an idea, that might interest u as a developer. I think u could get this thing on next level, well perhaps u are allready thinking about it allready, if so, than u are probablly not

[@user-vd3if4wq6m]

And they still cant find a way to make everything SYNC, I feel bad for all the young producers that dont realize there audio is slightly off by the end of a project. Its so weird, why do I have to routinely switch all preferences around just to render audio. I love Ableton, but honestly its Levels bellow other DAW's when it comes to 'Audio' ...miles ahead on Writing and Tracking though, so for the time bieng ill adjust what shouldnt have to be adjusted, and be on my way ;)

[@am5790]

Geeetube... i agree and slightly disagree but loved your first post lol...I think what matters at the end is if the music provokes the emotions. if it does the rules of the game are not somimportant. thats why we love music in general regardless of their cultural, regional etc...origin.

[@FRAUENAAARZT]

I want that for cubase

[@SkeletinProductions]

i learning music but, this bad because sometimes you want to play a note out off the key for creating harsh changes and going into the next part of the song

[@machinate]

I know a boat load of theory. I play reasonably well and I can certainly put together a harmonically complex structure without using "tricks". HOWEVER; devices such as this add something that is very illusive: Serendipity. That shit is worth its weight in GOLD, had it had, you know, an actual weight and all. I think the problem is not the software, it's the *angle* of the video: "you don't have to know music" - for me the point is to augment your knowledge.

[@bobvanluijt]

@AppA (and others) I'm sorry, but I actually do have a problem with this. The new technology in general IS fantastic. But isn't the instrument a device to express your musical thoughts? Why would I use a piano that play's a C when I press an E? For me that's lack of musicality. You can HEAR that it sounds like Minor so the E would have no function. (unless you WANT that musical color) Why do classical, jazz and pop musicians study for years to improve their own hearing...?

[@MarcoKotrotsos]

It's a great learning tool tho. Visualizes the possible chord's and combinations.

[@zaabimahdi]

but he is playing the right chords with his hand ?! (in major ) ????? how is he demonstrating the utlity of the plugin , if he already playing the right chords with his hand ?

[@titovalasques]

Part of the attraction to performing and listening to music live is that it isn't all easy. If anyone "can do it", then where's the art? Am I completely wrong or didn't music (like all art) use to be about something coming from within and the only way to convey that was to actually master that art?

[@BangaWangaTschanga]

I don´t completely agree, of course the creation of art does matter - for instance the woman with no arms had to invent a certain technique for herself (at least I guess so) and this process of overcoming problems (as Henrik Schwarz did for himself) has a high potential of creativity - as well as it causes independent styles and techniques. And I still respect him for his art (as a producer)

[@juaxix]

totally agree, i think the same...it is an error think the opposite :)

[@patcupo]

long live ableton, and the schwarzonator has some great programming ideas, but i hope my students never see this video.

[@patcupo]

Eight years later and I totally disagree with myself. I hope all of my students see this video.

[@therealbassntreble]

sooooo...if this guy can't play keys, can someone explain WHY there's an 88 key weighted controller in the background? wouldn't a calculator or abacus be more appropriate?

[@BangaWangaTschanga]

But that will cut creativity to a specific standart, won´t it? I mean there is so much creative potential in the "annoying" process of learning instruments, learning about harmonies and notes, that making all of this easier could lower the creative potential also.

[@midinerd]

With a physical instrument, exploration is faster and parametric (your hands have specific constraints on how far your fingers reach, this guides the ergonomics of composition, which creatively limits you) With software, turning concepts into knobs and ranges lets you sweep through possibilities faster than if you just clicked or pushed a button, and if its designed right, it can be faster than if you had a physical instrument in front of you. THEN you have to turn the tempo up so you can sweep through the feel of the entire sequences faster than usual :) It's just another way of being creative: to say that there is one creative process that you are or are not deviating from, is fundamentally limiting the creative process itself.

[@lluannr]

What the fuck is this shit? Now you don't even have to think (or study!) if you want to compose. What a great future is ahead of us!

[@LordshipEtor]

going to read this proposal till the end, but if u don't, than u might will. Ok, so what's the deail? I'm shure u know DJ tool called Mixed in Key. So, where am i going with that? Perhaps u're allredy thinking about it. Is there anny posibility, that u insert another feauter not only from major to minor, but well lets say to give an

[@LordshipEtor]

hatsoever, but appliing this posibility, would really ROCKS!!!! I mean, playing in camelot would really make a difference, actually, the infinity of creating melodies, acualy " the never ending story"... One more thing, if u allready applied this option, than i probably fell out like a realy stupid guy, paying a closer attention to you invention. But if u havent, than i hope u will think about it. Best reguards my friend, and a lot of untenced moments while u're playing...:)!!! DJ Etor.

[@JoshGT_online]

it's free

[@mygoodshitzzz]

its kinda funny cuz if he would have spend as much time programming this plug in into learning basic chords. he would be fucking amazing by now. hahaha

[@japhy6536]

More of a conceptual music tool than a replacement for learning and most importantly feeling your way into music. It’s like modern art to me in that - it doesn’t try to imitate real life