Tessella FAQ
Does Tessella work on Push?
Yes. Tessella is compatible with Push 1, 2, and 3, and it can be used in Push 3 standalone.
What DAWs does Tessella work in?
Ableton Live 12 only. Because Tessella is a Max for Live device, you must have either Live Suite or Live with a separate Max for Live License.
Will you create a VST/AU/CLAPplugin to support DAWs other than Ableton Live?
Maybe one day, but I do not have concrete plans to do so at the moment. If this is something you want, please email me and let me know which DAW you are using.
Is is possible to save the patterns that Tessella creates?
Like other Max for Live devices, you can save a specific configuration of Tessella as a device preset. You can also bounce a pattern to MIDI using the `Bounce to Clip` button. This will create a MIDI clip containing the rhythmic pattern in the Session View.
It currently isn't possible to save a pattern internally, like you might do on a drum machine that offers "banks" of patterns. Because of how parameters work in Max for Live devices, it is difficult to support pattern saving as well as automation, modulation, and Push support. In many ways, I see this as a general limitation in Live: I think it should be easy to save and recall the state (e.g. the values of all the parameters) of a device in real time, but this is not possible.
Can Tessella be used in standalone Max/MSP?
Maybe, but probably not without a few modifications. As a general rule, Max for Live devices can be used inside standalone Max using the amxd~ object. The one caveat is that functions that require the Live API will not work. The Live API is the mechanism that Max for Live devices use to talk to Live. Inside Tessella, the time signature awareness, scale awareness, and other features rely upon the Live API. It would be possible to have an instance of Tessella that disables the Live API functions and works in Max/MSP standalone.
If you're a Max programmer, you're welcome to modify Tessella to work within your setup. I can't help implement or troubleshoot these customizations, however.
What was the inspiration for Tessella?
The process of making Tessella began on a trip to Berlin in Fall 2025. I visited Mohammed Reza Mortazavi at his studio for a short lesson on the tombak. I'm not a percussionist, but I love rhythm and love Mohammed's music, which uses beautiful nested rhythmic structures.
From Mohammed's studio, I went directly to meet Leo Andreas Rei of Glymma Labs at his home studio. Leo showed me his wonderful sequencer Irys (https://glymmalabs.gumroad.com/l/irys), which incorporates Clarence Barlow's concept of rhythmic indispensability into its rhythm algorithm. Leo also introduced me to Marc Evanstein's video on indispensability (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv5nqDHFN1E) and to Marc's Python library SCAMP (https://scamp.marcevanstein.com/).
I began to think about how to build a rhythm generator that uses indispensability and supports nested rhythms in an inuitive, musical way. After months of experimentation and development, Tessella is the result.
Is Tessella included in any of your bundles?
Not currently. The bundles are devoted to the "MIDI Tool" devices, each of which are small MIDI Generators and Transformers that integrate with Live's MIDI Clip. I have made more than 20 MIDI Tools, and I bundle them together thematically to make them more accessible.
Tessella, on the other hand, is a standard MIDI Effect and is a more elaborate, integrated device. For now, it is sold only standalone.
I noticed that on the dials on Tessella, the needles don't line up with the background arc. Is something broken?
This is the intended behavior. Several of Tessella's parameters, including Density, Ratchet Density, and Tuplet Density have a specific set of quantized values. For example, if there are 8 beats in the current pattern, then the Density dial has 8 positions. When you click and drag on the dial, the needle will move to an exact position. Meanwhile, the arc indicates the quantized position that the device is actually using internally.
I think I have identified a bug in Tessella. How do I report it?
Reports are welcome. Please use the contact page to reach me.
I am student or have other financial limitations. Can you help me out?
I want to maximize access to creative tools as much as possible, while also being honest that these devices pay my rent! If you fall into the category described above, please contact me and we can work something out. Please use the contact page to reach me.