Max For Live Curated Collection

A meticulously curated collection of the best Max For Live devices around — handpicked to inspire your next production. Browse the collection below.

What Is Max For Live?

The Max For Live Curated Collection

The Curated Collection is a labour of love. Consider supporting if you find it useful ❤️

Inspired By Nature

by Dillon Bastan
FREE
A unique collection of creative tools for organic sound design and composition.

Creative Extensions

by Ableton, Dillon Bastan
FREE
8 devices that extend the possibilities of Ableton Live.

Shortcut Buddy

by Noir Labs
$15
An invaluable tool to speed up your workflow. Map a keyboard key or MIDI control to up to 64 Ableton plugins, VST’s/AU’s and effect racks so you can load your favourite devices with a single keystroke or button press.

PMM Pro

by encoder audio
€10
The Precision Master Meter lets you accurately monitor Peak, RMS and Mid/Side levels on your master.

ClipGain

by Valiumdupeuple
€4+
A floating window to adjust Clip Gain, Transpose, Warp and much more from anywhere.

Mojo

by encoder audio
€10
Colour your tracks with the sound of vintage hardware.

trnr.RetroSampler

by Ternär Music Technology
FREE
A lo-fi sample player inspired by hardware samplers of the 90s.

Control Matrix

by killihu
€9
Modify parameters of different tracks/devices in the same floating window without taking exclusive control of them.

Clipper

by GMAudio
A$15
The most advanced precision clipping tool. Control the dynamics of your sound.

Mod Squad

by Manifest Audio
FREE
15 unique modulators to create dynamic relationships between separate elements.

Reference

by Live Workflow Tools
$9
Elegantly compare your song to reference tracks right from within Live.

X-Translate

by Manifest Audio
$20.00
What if you could transform any sound, sample, or audio source into any other instrument — in real-time?

Scenery

by pATCHES
$10
Create textures and soundscapes by manipulating long form recordings.

Sting

by Iftah
FREE
Generate many different kinds of MIDI patterns at the click of a button and save them to Clips!

X-FX

by Manifest Audio
€50.00
What if you could tune your effects to any scale and key, and even play them via MIDI input in real-time?

Carver

by Noir Labs
$35
A transient shaper with an unparalleled level of control, with no change in perceived volume.

AS Steps

by SABROI
$35
A feature intensive, yet simple step sequencer that is a one stop shop for all your generative and randomization sequencing needs.

Opal

by Fors
€49
Insanely powerful rhythm machine and drum synthesizer with built in sequencer and 5 sound modules.

Duckling

by Ternär Music Technology
FREE
A simple ducker device that can be triggered via MIDI.

Source

by encoder audio
€10
A unique LFO influenced by the Buchla 266 module, the "Source of Uncertainty".

Surgeon

by encoder audio
€10
A precision low and high cut EQ for surgically removing frequencies from your sounds.

Freesound4Live

by aylesim
€5
Browse, search, listen and download sounds from Freesound.org without leaving Ableton Live.

Transient Shaper

by Live Workflow Tools
$14
An excellent and straightforward transient shaper to manipulate your dynamics.

Equation

by Incandescent
$27
A powerful and user friendly dynamic EQ for Ableton Live to help you perfect your mixes.

Crunch

by encoder audio
€10
A creative sample rate and bit reduction effect, designed to bring life to dull instruments and sounds.

Manifest Audio MIDI TOOLSET

by Manifest Audio
£35
12 creative and powerful MIDI Generators and Transformations for Ableton Live 12.

Optocomp

by monomono
£15
A vintage-inspired compressor, infused with the warm character of classic gear like the LA-2A.

Rhythmorphic

by Dillon Bastan
£18
An unconventional sequencer to create unique patterns and progressions.

Pyr

by Iftah
FREE
12-voice modelled string instrument with an inspirational interface.

Kit

by Fors
€18
A versatile set of seven experimental devices with engaging visual interfaces that invite you to tune parameters with your ears and lose yourself in sound.
Additional Info

The Max For Live Curated Collection is a hand-picked selection of high-quality, creatively inspiring Max For Live devices for use in Ableton Live. These aren’t tools I’ve made — they’re devices I’ve discovered while exploring the vast ecosystem of Max for Live.

With thousands of devices out there, this collection is my way of highlighting the best — tools that stand out for their sound, design and creative potential.

Disclaimers

The Max For Live Curated Collection includes links to third-party tools. While I do my best to ensure everything listed is high quality, I can’t guarantee that every device will always work as expected — and I’m not able to offer support for them. If you run into issues, please contact the original developer directly.

Affiliate Links

Some entries in the collection use affiliate links, which means I earn a small percentage if you make a purchase. I only include tools I genuinely believe in and use myself. I also regularly review and remove entries that no longer meet my standards. Affiliate sales help keep both the ELPHNT website and the Curated Collection sustainable — thank you for the support.

Selection Process

Every device in the collection is something I’ve tested and used extensively in my own music. I’m a minimalist producer with a high standard for tools — so if something makes it into my workflow, it’s because it’s truly useful, creative and well made. If you’re a developer and think your device belongs here, feel free to reach out via the Contact page — I’d love to check it out.

Join The Making Music Newsletter 💌

Wanna be the first to hear about new ELPHNT packs, videos and workshops? Join the mailing list to stay up to date with everything new from ELPHNT.

Free forever. No spam. Unsubscribe any time.