hi @jvd1000
I fully understand that the monome is just a box of lights that can be used in tandem with open source software.
When you say monome, I take it to mean the grid. The grid can be used with non open-source software as well, like Ableton Live.
but why can’t I find any videos or written tutorials of said software
It’s kind of a machine designed to be adapted to your individual needs, so it’s not tied to any kind piece of software, it just communicates to the computer via serial, it’s up to you to turn that signal into something that MaxForLive can understand, or Node, or other software. It also connects directly into some modular modules via USB.
You can find tutorials and grid software(mostly max4live libraries) on lines. Here’s an example, of the grid being used with Node.js to control Ableton’s Drum Rack.
I see Norns is a popular piece of hardware that seems to maybe run MLR itself and eliminate the need for a computer application? Can Norns effectively eliminate the laptop + software from the equation?
That’s correct. It can.
Is there a simple and elegant way to utilize this kind of sample manipulation with simply Ableton and a Push.
You can listen to the norns’ audio output and somehow use it in your Ableton Live setup. Or use supercollider directly on your computer.
Can Push be used with Norns instead of Monome?
The Norns can use all sorts of midi signal to trigger its applications. It can.