How to… sequence better

Live’s stock Arpeggiator isn’t very flexible, and the base version of Live has no real step sequencer, but Max For Live brings better options. Melodic Steps – part of Creative Extensions – adds multiple sequencing channels with great randomisation tools (see opposite). The older Max For Live Essentials pack, also included with Live Suite, brings MonoSequencer and Arp. The former is arguably made redundant by Melodic Steps, but still has its charms. Arp is a big improvement on Live’s base arp though: combining arpeggiation with step sequencing for vintage arp lines and sequencer riffs.