Pendolo

Pendolo

Physics-Based MIDI Generator & Sound Design Tool for Ableton Live

Pendolo is a Max for Live device that transforms the natural motion of pendulums and springs into expressive musical output. By simulating physical systems in real-time, Pendolo generates evolving MIDI patterns and modulation signals, offering a unique way to bridge the world of physics with generative composition and sound design.

Whether you're sculpting ambient landscapes, building complex polyrhythms, or simply experimenting with physical modelling, Pendolo provides an intuitive and inspiring environment for sonic exploration.

Key Features

1. Physics-Driven Sound Generation
   Simulate pendulum and spring systems with adjustable properties like mass, length, gravity, and damping to shape the oscillation and resulting musical patterns.

2. 15 Independent Pendulums
   Control up to 15 pendulums, each functioning as a unique note generator. Every spring can support up to 2 nodes, adding complexity and interaction to the motion.

3. Wire & Mass Tabs for Deep Customisation
   Use the Wire and Mass tabs to modify how pendulums interact, alter their physical connections, stiffness, and behaviour to shape both rhythm and tone.

4. Bi or Uni Motion Modes
   Choose between unconstrained Bi (360°) rotation or Uni (180°) swing for each pendulum, influencing how and when notes are triggered.

5. Motion-Based Modulation Signals
   Each pendulum outputs a modulation signal derived from its oscillation, which can be mapped to any parameter in Ableton Live; essentially turning physical motion into a powerful modulation source.

6. Interactive Interface
   Click and drag pendulums to set them in motion manually.

   Use Shift + Click on any ball to adjust its note directly, or make changes in the Wire tab for more structured control.

   Double-Click to add velocity, therefore movement to all the objects.

7. Real-Time Visual Feedback
   A vivid, dynamic display shows every pendulum’s movement, linking sound and motion in a visually compelling and musically meaningful way.

8. Accurate Harmonic Mapping
   Pendulum movements are translated into musical notes using precise frequency calculations, enabling musically coherent yet physically unpredictable MPE MIDI output and HIGH RES PITCH.

9. Responsive & Adaptive UI
   Pendolo’s interface automatically adapts to your screen size, ensuring optimal usability while preserving the physical logic of the system.

Why Pendolo?

Pendolo isn’t just a MIDI tool, it’s a playground of physics and music, where you can literally watch your sound take shape. With deep customisation, real-time interaction, and powerful modulation capabilities, Pendolo offers a fresh, intuitive, and endlessly creative approach to generative music.

Minimum Requirements: Ableton Live Suite 10.1.18.

Website: https://ostinsolo.co.uk

GitHub: https://github.com/ostinsolo

GitHub2: https://github.com/VSTOPIA

Device page: https://ostinsolo.co.uk/devices/PENDOLO