CLR / QUICK GUIDE

Master of Chains

One automatable Chain number controls every tagged Rack in an Ableton Live Set. Master of Chains is a Max for Live Audio Effect; it replaces per-track slave devices.

Requirements

• Ableton Live Suite, or Ableton Live with Max for Live.
• Exactly one Master of Chains device in each Set.

Install

1. Unzip the purchase and keep Master of Chains.amxd, master_of_chains.js, clr-logo.png and README.md together.
2. Move the complete folder to your Ableton User Library or preferred Max for Live devices folder. Add it to Live’s Browser under Places if needed.
3. Drag Master of Chains.amxd onto an audio track or the Main track. Do not rename or separate the AMXD, script or logo.

Mark the Racks to control

Add [MOC] anywhere in the name of each Rack that should follow the master Chain value. Tag the Rack itself, not its track. Examples: [MOC] Vocal Effects, Guitar [MOC], and [MOC] Keyboards. Racks without the tag are left untouched.

Scan and control

1. Press SCAN SET.
2. Check that the RACKS count matches the tagged Racks you expect.
3. Change the large CHAIN number, or automate it in Live, from 0 to 127.
4. Press SCAN SET again after adding, deleting, renaming, moving or substantially reorganizing Racks.

Write an automation point

To record the current Chain value at the playhead, enable Live’s Automation Arm, start playback with Arrangement Record enabled, then press WRITE AUTOMATION POINT. The status confirms the write. If any of those conditions is missing, the device writes nothing and shows a red warning.

Duplicate-master warning

Only one Master of Chains device is supported in a Set. If more than one is found, the indicator turns red. The first instance in Live’s Set order remains authoritative and later copies are blocked. Delete the extra copies, then press SCAN SET on the remaining device.

Supported Racks and behavior

Audio Effect Racks, Instrument Racks, MIDI Effect Racks, Return-track Racks and nested Racks are supported. The device passes stereo audio through unchanged. A Rack whose Chain Selector is disabled by another mapping is skipped. Keep the Master of Chains device name unchanged so duplicate detection can identify it reliably.

Recommended first test

Use a fresh Live Set with two simple tagged Racks and obvious Chain zones. Confirm the Rack count and switching before adding Master of Chains to a performance Set. Work in a backup copy of an important Set and test every intended song change before show use.