Disperser — Zap Effect for Max 4 Live

Turn every hit into a laser zap with a small, stock-style disperser.

By ELXR.

Overview

Disperser delays each frequency by a different amount, so snares, kicks and plucks turn into zaps, pews and springy lasers. The display shows the sound coming in, the zapped result, and the shape of the zap.

Why I made it

Inspired by Kilohearts' Disperser, which I use all the time for lasers and sound design. I wanted the same effect as a compact device that looks like it came with Live, plus a few extras I kept wishing for. Not affiliated with Kilohearts.

Features

Amount and Frequency

Amount sets how strong the zap is. Frequency sets its pitch.

Pinch

Low Pinch gives a wide falling pew. High Pinch rings like a single note.

Direction

Flips the sweep, so the zap falls or rises.

Sweep

Drops (or raises) the pitch on every hit for a laser drop.

Feedback

Repeats the zap like a spring echo, getting darker with each repeat.

Spread

Stereo width that stays full in mono.

Sub

Keeps the low end clean: everything below the Sub frequency skips the zap.

Hits and Drive

Hits zaps only the attacks, so tails and held notes stay clean. Drive adds grit and bite to the zap only.

12 presets

Snare Laser, Kick Thwip, Pew Pluck, Laser Drop, Spring Echo, Wide Zap and more. Click the arrows or drag the name.

Requirements

• Ableton Live 12 with Max for Live.
• Works on any audio track or MIDI track (after the instrument).
• No added latency.

Install

Download Disperser.amxd and drag it into your User Library, or straight onto a track.