Manifest Audio has released Tactum, a free stochastic impulse monosynth built for Max for Live and designed to run inside Ableton Live.
I don’t usually feature Max for Live devices on BPB, mainly because not everyone can use them. But every now and then, something amazing comes along that feels worth making an exception for. Tactum is one of those exceptions.
If you already own Max for Live, I think it’s absolutely worth checking out. And if you don’t, devices like this make a pretty strong case for at least giving it a try.
Tactum is a monophonic, event-driven instrument that focuses on controlled randomness rather than static synthesis. It has two independent oscillators, each selectable from several circuit types, including Noise, Metal, Texture, Waves, FM, Bits, and Boom.
Now, instead of relying on fixed modulation paths, Tactum builds stochastic behavior directly into its structure. It applies range-based randomization per note.
The synthesis engine revolves around a two-stage envelope with Attack and Decay, where each stage can vary randomly within user-defined limits. The same concept applies to the multimode filter, which offers low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and notch modes, with randomized cutoff and resonance available per event.
Each oscillator also includes two effect slots, again with adjustable randomization ranges. You can use them to add subtle movement or more dramatic variation, depending on how far you push them.
A dedicated Click oscillator is included to reinforce transients, and this basically makes it easier to retain definition even when the main oscillators are behaving unpredictably. There are also optional cross-modulation modes (add, subtract, or multiply) that let the two oscillators interact in more complex ways.
Another cool feature is scale awareness. When enabled, Tactum follows the current scale and key of your Live set, so that even internally transposed or randomized notes remain musical and in key. That way, it’s much easier to explore generative ideas without constantly correcting harmonic clashes.
All parameters can be mapped to a central XY-style adjustment plane that also serves as a visual display. The display shows oscillator scopes, envelope and filter settings while editing, stereo output meters, and click controls. Motion control can be used to apply global randomization across the device in a single gesture.
Tactum is optimized for Push. Also, it automatically adapts to your Live theme and includes detailed Info View annotations, so you can learn how everything works directly in Live.
The download is free (email address required) and offered on a pay-what-you-can basis, with proceeds going to World Central Kitchen. Fun fact: the download weighs in at under 1 MB.
Tactum requires Ableton Live 12.3 running Max 9.0.9 or higher and is supplied as a single .amxd Max for Live device, with an accompanying PDF manual.
Download: Tactum (FREE, requires Max for Live)
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Last Updated on February 2, 2026 by Tomislav Zlatic.
