PS Swing Delay Pro Edition: Max for Live groovy delay device with swing algorithms for Ableton Live

PS Swing Delay Pro Edition interface showing dual delay lines and spectrum analysis in Ableton Live session

Add Swing to Your Delays | Swing Delay for Ableton Live

Max For Live Audio Device

Every producer making house, garage, or bass music eventually hits the same wall: you want your delay repeats to groove, but Ableton's Simple Delay and Echo have no swing parameter.

The closest native option is the delay offset, which is fiddly, inconsistent across tempo changes, and has nothing to do with your project's groove pool. Swing Delay puts two independent delay lines in your session - one straight, one swung - with four custom algorithms built specifically for the timing feels that define UK electronic music.

£4.99 GBP

£4.99 GBP

What Swing Delay Does

Swing Delay runs two independent delay lines through Max's tapin~/tapout~ sub-sample accurate engine. The swung delay line applies one of four custom algorithms to calculate precise rhythmic offsets: Tight sits between 58–62% groove intensity, Medium at 63–67%, Heavy at 68–72%, and Shuffle at 73–80%.

Each algorithm is mathematically defined and stays consistent across every tempo and time signature change, unlike manually tweaking a delay offset, which shifts relative to the grid in ways that quickly become unmusical. Link mode locks both delay lines to the same timing for unified control; Spread cross-feeds them into ping-pong routing.

All parameters are fully automatable and integrate natively into Ableton's session without any plugin bridging overhead.

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The Standard edition is free on maxforlive.com

Free Standard Edition

Professional Max for Live Design

All devices built with optimised CPU performance, bulletproof stability, and intuitive interfaces tested by working producers for reliable session performance.

Seamless Ableton Integration

Every device integrates natively into Ableton Live with full automation support, preset management, and zero plugin-bridging latency for frictionless workflow.

Clear Commercial Licensing

All Max for Live devices supplied with straightforward commercial licenses. Use in your productions with complete confidence.

Why This Matters

Every Max for Live device we make follows one principle:

Remove friction, don't add features.

This tool works the way Ableton would have done it if they'd thought of it.

No flashy graphics.
No subscription.
Just a problem solved.

Audio delay effect software interface with 'PS Swing Delay Pro' at the top.

Swing Delay | Use Cases

Adding shuffle feel to hi-hat delay throws in tech house without disrupting the rhythmic foundation of the track
Creating swung echo returns on vocal chops in UK garage where timing feel is the difference between a record sounding right and sounding off
Applying groove to synth stab delays in house music so the repeat lands somewhere musical rather than square on the grid
Building complex stereo rhythmic patterns using ping-pong mode with independent swing intensities on each delay line
Adding movement to pad delay throws in deep house where a straight repeat sounds mechanical and a swung one breathes

Compatibility, Ableton Live & Max for Live

Max for Live 9.0.9
MacOS 10.13 or higher / Windows 10 or higher
Modern multi-core processor recommended; 4GB RAM minimum (8GB+ for complex sessions)
Ableton Live 12.0.5 or higher (Suite, or Standard with Max for Live purchased separately)

See User Manual

Swing Delay | Frequently Asked Questions

How do I add swing to a delay in Ableton without a dedicated device?

The closest native option is using the Delay Offset parameter in Ableton's Simple Delay or Echo, setting a percentage value nudges the delayed repeat relative to the grid. The problem is that this offset is fixed, doesn't respond to tempo changes musically, and has no connection to your project's Groove Pool settings.

You're essentially guessing at a percentage rather than selecting a groove algorithm, which makes matching your delay feel to your drum programming significantly harder than it needs to be.

How is Swing Delay different from Ableton's built-in delay offset?

Ableton's offset gives you a single percentage value with no defined musical meaning. Swing Delay's four algorithms (Tight, Medium, Heavy, Shuffle) apply mathematically defined timing relationships - 58–80% groove intensity - that correspond to recognisable feels rather than arbitrary numbers.

The dual delay engine also lets you run a straight and a swung line simultaneously from a single device, something you can't achieve natively without multiple tracks and careful routing.

Which version of Ableton Live do I need for Swing Delay ?

Swing Delay requires Ableton Live 12.0.5 or higher with Max for Live 9.0.9. If you're on Live Suite, Max for Live is included. If you're on Live Standard, you'll need the Max for Live add-on. The device runs on macOS 10.13 or later and Windows 10 or later.

A modern multi-core processor and at least 4GB of RAM are recommended, particularly if you're running multiple instances.

I use Ableton's Groove Pool for swing, isn't that the same thing?

The Groove Pool affects MIDI note timing and audio warp timing in your clips. It doesn't touch your delay returns. A delay repeat is audio being fed back through a processing chain, it's entirely separate from clip timing, which means your Groove Pool settings have no effect on it whatsoever.

If you want your delay echoes to feel swung rather than mechanical, you need the swing applied at the delay engine level, which is exactly what Swing Delay does.

Add Swing to Your Delays | Swing Delay for Ableton Live

What Swing Delay Does

Swing Delay | Use Cases

Compatibility, Ableton Live & Max for Live

Swing Delay | Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews

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