VOID SharedMemory for Ableton Live, Max & Touchdesigner

VOID Shared Memory is a set of tools designed for real-time data exchange between Ableton Live / Max / Max for Live and TouchDesigner, using ultra-light, low-latency shared memory. Parameters, envelopes, triggers or arbitrary values can flow in both directions, without MIDI, without OSC, without network communication, and without complex configuration.

Be aware : Max for Live devices ONLY FOR ARM MAC (Silicon)See Compatibility Notes at the bottom of the page

Official page : https://structure-void.com/tools/void-shared-memory/

The system is designed for fluid and stable control of performative audiovisual systems, installations, live sets or experimental prototypes. This package includes ready-to-use Max for Live devices, as well as Max externals and TouchDesigner CHOP operators, conceived as robust, reusable R&D building blocks.

VOID Shared Memory is a real-time communication system designed to connect Ableton Live, Max / Max for Live and TouchDesigner through ultra-light, low-latency local shared memory.

It enables continuous parameters, envelopes, triggers or arbitrary values to circulate between audio and visual environments, in one or both directions, without relying on network-based protocols. This approach ensures stable, direct and high-performance data transmission, suited to live contexts, audiovisual performance, installations or experimental prototyping.

The project takes the form of a coherent set of technical building blocks resulting from research and development conducted in-house at Structure Void, and designed and developed by Julien Bayle, at a low-level, system-oriented layer. On the Ableton Live side, several ready-to-use Max for Live devices are provided — VOID envFollower, VOID freqAnalysis, VOID 8params, VOID 8notes, VOID sync and VOID receiver — enabling data to be generated, analysed, transformed and transmitted from Live to other environments.

These devices rely on Max externals developed in C++ (writer / reader), as well as TouchDesigner operators (CHOPs) also written in C++, ensuring full control over the data pipeline, minimal latency and precise mastery of real-time behaviour.

VOID Shared Memory is not a closed, turnkey tool, but a complete technical foundation, delivered with all of its components, conceived as a direct link between systems — reflecting a fast, focused R&D process, entirely developed in-house.

Compatibility note

VOID Shared Memory includes universal binaries for Max externals and TouchDesigner operators (Apple Silicon + Intel).

However, due to current limitations in the Max for Live freeze mechanism and host architecture handling, Max for Live devices are officially supported on Apple Silicon systems only, with Ableton Live running natively.

Max standalone usage and TouchDesigner plugins work as expected on both architectures.

This limitation is technical and host-related, not a restriction of the underlying code, and may evolve in future releases.