Div Beat: Probability You Can Play

Probability is not the enemy of form, it is a hidden fader for time. Once the distribution becomes tangible, phrasing turns into a matter of sculpting density and expectation. Div Beat treats stochastic thinking as an instrument you can perform, not a trick you set and forget.

From Xenakis to the session view

Iannis Xenakis expanded composition with stochastic processes. Div Beat follows that lineage and places it inside a practical workflow for Ableton Live. The interface exposes probability as a discrete, editable shape, so ideas that once lived on graph paper now respond to your touch in real time.

Polyrhythm by integer, not by guesswork

Set the number of divisions per bar anywhere from 1 to 32. That simple control opens a disciplined space for complex meters. Build layered grooves that interlock through integer relationships. Drift is optional, rigor is available on demand.

A histogram that behaves like an instrument

Each beat carries an editable probability, visualized as a bar chart. Drag while the sequence runs. Confirm changes with your ears, not with menus. Push a cluster forward to raise event density, pull it back to create negative space. The result feels like playing the probability itself.

Randomness as a continuum, groove as a target

Div Beat does not treat chance as a coin flip. It lets you steer along a continuum between regular pulse and statistical texture. Small adjustments yield stable micro-variations. Bolder moves create emergent structures that still respect the grid you defined.

MIDI first, music anywhere

Div Beat is a MIDI sequencer. Feed a synth for evolving melodies. Drive a drum rack to shape the frontier between looseness and impact. Record the output to a track, edit the notes, and export a score for acoustic performers. The same engine supports studio experiments and concert hall logistics.

Why producers and composers keep it open

Clear control surface: a single bar chart per bar that you can reshape while listening.
Polyrhythmic fluency: integer division from 1 to 32 for precise composite meters.
Immediate commit: print the MIDI to capture one-off moments or to iterate with standard editing tools.
Instrument agnostic: any MIDI-capable device or plug-in becomes a candidate sound source.

Designed for ongoing evolution

Div Beat is maintained with continuous improvements. New versions are released as free updates for owners. Your purchase keeps gaining capability over time, and your projects benefit without extra cost.

Use cases at a glance

IDM and experimental club structures that breathe without losing punch.
Contemporary chamber writing that needs controllable indeterminacy.
Live sets where the audience hears you shape distributions in real time.
Sound design sessions that search for pattern families rather than a single loop.

What it changes in your practice

You stop choosing between rigid grids and opaque randomness. Instead, you work with probability as a musical parameter, precise enough for composition, responsive enough for performance. That shift unlocks a method, not just a pattern generator.

ver.1.2 ... Added bonus DivBeat16 maxpat, Fixed one-beat delay bug & expanded preset slot. (2025/8/28)

ver.1.0 ... Released. (2025/8/27)

Akihiko Matsumoto

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