SimulScrub

SimulScrub is a Max for Live device that plays a number of contiguous time segments of an audio file simultaneously, with a flexible crossfader control to select which segment(s) you want to hear.

This allows you to scrub through time of a longer sample, while always playing the sample at 1x speed. 🤯

Overview on YouTube

In a mix

With the Amen Break

In the screen capture above, the yellow lines represent virtual "playheads" playing from your sample at that position. The blue bars coming in from the bottom represent the volume that the respective playhead will actually play. The position is controlled via slider below the main display, with control over the width of the pickup pattern.

SimulScrub has a simple drag and drop workflow. Just drag an audio sample or file to the main plugin area and play any MIDI note to start playing. Automate or modulate the Position slider and Width knob. See how different numbers of slices (up to 32) changes things.

Installation

Download the newest release or clone this repository, and drag the SimulScrub.amxd device into a track in Ableton Live.

Changelog

• 2024-10-29 v5 - Add non-blocking telemetry ping on load. Does not send any identifying information, only the plugin name, the local computer name, type of computer, and CPU type. I just want to see which plugins are used the most.
• 2024-05-06 v4 - Fix clicks and pops; separate pich and fade times; fix many bugs.
• 2024-04-27 v2 - Fix looping; Add stop/start effect control; fix reverse bug.
• 2024-04-13 v1 - Initial Release.

Usage

Add this device to a MIDI track, then drag an audio clip or file to the main plugin area.

Send any MIDI note to the device. Hold the note.

Select the number of slices with the Divisions knob. You will need to re-press the MIDI note when changing the number of divisions (bug noted below).

Select which slice you are hearing with the Position slider.

Control how many adjacent slices are also heard with the Width knob.

Background

I created this plugin after using my Chiastic Slide plugin to do this job using an instrument rack with N chains, each containing a Simpler device playing its own slide of a larger audio file. Setting that up was a fairly involved process and cumbersome to operate to keep N Simplers in sync, parameter-wise (even using "Copy to (n) siblings").

TODO

• Slice by ms, measures
• Gracefully handle changing Divisions - currently have to restart the note; should be seamless

Contributing

I'd love it if others extended this device. If you would like to contribute, simply fork this repo, make your changes, and open a pull request and I'll have a look.