Ableton Live Q & A + Discuss Thread

[FaeryTaleAdventurer]

I noticed in the rules that this thread doesn't yet exist, so I'm adding it in today (yay for spearheading two DAW threads!)!

We all have questions and answers, so that's what this thread is for! On top of that, anyone is welcome to discuss various discoveries, tips, tricks, customizations for Live here as well!

I initially had a question myself about if it's possible to automate instrument effects in session view to clips instead of directly recording to arrangement view, but there may be others around here with that same or similar question!

I personally don't know all there is about Ableton Live, as I've just started using the Live Lite SoundCloud edition from the summer of this year, so I won't always have the answers you need. My best advice is waiting for other users to answer the questions I can't answer, or finding a video on YouTube that could answer your question (this has worked for me 9 times out of 10).

Happy conferencing!

[FaeryTaleAdventurer]

Just to clarify, I'm aware that the settings of a software instrument can be automated in real time from the arrangement view while recording, but have no effect if you try to record an automation you want to be done on an individual clip in session view.

I love the session view feature of Ableton, and being able to record scenes you want in a particular order, and whatnot, though it would be nice if I could change the settings of a given instrument for a clip or so at a time, but at the same time not have to record it in arrangement view first.

[Quetya]

At 10/29/12 01:18 PM, FaeryTaleAdventurer wrote: Just to clarify, I'm aware that the settings of a software instrument can be automated in real time from the arrangement view while recording, but have no effect if you try to record an automation you want to be done on an individual clip in session view.

I love the session view feature of Ableton, and being able to record scenes you want in a particular order, and whatnot, though it would be nice if I could change the settings of a given instrument for a clip or so at a time, but at the same time not have to record it in arrangement view first.

It will be available in Ableton Live 9. I'm not sure it will be the automations you're talking about, where you can can automate the built-in properties of the synth itself outside of effects like compression and delay, but I'm hoping for both our sakes! ^-^

[FaeryTaleAdventurer]

At 10/31/12 01:58 PM, Quetya wrote:

It will be available in Ableton Live 9. I'm not sure it will be the automations you're talking about, where you can can automate the built-in properties of the synth itself outside of effects like compression and delay, but I'm hoping for both our sakes! ^-^

Hey that's great, I guess. Ableton must've been listening. I'm now ever anxious to see if these will be the automations I want.

And yeah, I really want to control those dials in session view so badly now, while recording, I can't stand it! Hurry Ableton, please make a lite version of 9 ASAP!

[Ectohelix]

Lots of neat stuff coming in 9 that I'm looking forward to.
Curves in midi envelopes.
Recorded automation.
Record Midi from Audio (this includes beat boxing, lol).
Glue Compressor.
...and unless the image is misleading, spectrum inside of your EQ8.

I can't wait.

[Breed]

I thought there was an Ableton discussion thread already but I'll take this opportunity to randomly ask a question here anyways.

I dont really use ableton much except for collaborations, but am I right in assuming you can't float the session & arrangement view windows seperately? It kind of makes having a dual screen set up a waste and ableton 9 doesnt seem to have that ability either. It's really not that hard of a fix from a developers side either.

[FaeryTaleAdventurer]

At 11/1/12 02:42 PM, Breed wrote: I thought there was an Ableton discussion thread already....

There may have been, but I never knew of it, or seen it. Upsetting news ppl: The Ableton website has taken on a new format fairly recently and now I can no longer find any of those complimentary packs and sets that Ableton hosted for its Live 8 users. If anyone can find that page again, great.

The site's been pretty much taken over by Live 9 and Push promotions.

[Ectohelix]

At 11/2/12 10:00 AM, FaeryTaleAdventurer wrote: There may have been, but I never knew of it, or seen it. Upsetting news ppl: The Ableton website has taken on a new format fairly recently and now I can no longer find any of those complimentary packs and sets that Ableton hosted for its Live 8 users. If anyone can find that page again, great.

The site's been pretty much taken over by Live 9 and Push promotions.

https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/

Lol dude, it's on the top nav bar "Packs"

[gh057official]

If anyone is looking for some intel on Ableton Live, I use it as my primary DAW when making my music. I know the software practically inside and out, and have started to do some online tutorials for people.

Hit me back if you're interested and I'll help ya with what I know.

[Quetya]

Been working on a custom Newgrounds-themed skin for Ableton. Wish I could get both session and arrangement view at the same time but oh welll. Thoughts?

[The-iMortal]

At 11/5/12 05:48 PM, Quetya wrote: Been working on a custom Newgrounds-themed skin for Ableton. Wish I could get both session and arrangement view at the same time but oh welll. Thoughts?

I think I'll stick to the original lol...

What can I say; I'm old fashioned!

[AeroMusic]

So glad someone made this :) gonna be back here often haha

[jaysummers759885]

I have had questions about Ableton forever it seems. It is such an intricate program. I can't believe how actually happy I was when I saw this topic. It is like I just ate my first piece of bacon. For instance, the drum samples are kind of .... bleck..... they don't sound very organic in any way. I know that it is a DAW for more of an Electro, or Dub Step, kind of music, but I wondering if there was anyway to make the presets sound more organic.

Any tips?

~J

[The-iMortal]

At 11/6/12 12:55 AM, jaysummers759885 wrote: Any tips?

Don't use Ableton Live's stock samples. Hell, I didn't even bother downloading the sample packs when I bought the software. If you want quality drum samples, Vengeance is your best bet.

[Quetya]

At 11/5/12 06:43 PM, The-iMortal wrote: I think I'll stick to the original lol...

What can I say; I'm old fashioned!

no shame with that, I'll have it or something like it mediafired, if you change your mind!

[Ectohelix]

At 11/6/12 01:31 AM, The-iMortal wrote: Don't use Ableton Live's stock samples. Hell, I didn't even bother downloading the sample packs when I bought the software. If you want quality drum samples, Vengeance is your best bet.

This THISSSSS!!!! (even though I can't afford to drop $100 on samples atm :( I agree wholeheartedly via proxy)

:no shame with that, I'll have it or something like it mediafired, if you change your mind!

I'm interested in seeing what you can do.

[jaysummers759885]

At 11/6/12 01:31 AM, The-iMortal wrote:

At 11/6/12 12:55 AM, jaysummers759885 wrote: Any tips?

Don't use Ableton Live's stock samples. Hell, I didn't even bother downloading the sample packs when I bought the software. If you want quality drum samples, Vengeance is your best bet.

``````````````````````````

Thanks, I will check that out!

~J

[AeroMusic]

Anyone know how to get a constant time measure on the interface? just when I'm in session view and mixing I'd like to see how long the mix is w/o having to go into arrangement and click somewhere

[The-iMortal]

At 11/22/12 05:36 PM, AeroMusic wrote: Anyone know how to get a constant time measure on the interface? just when I'm in session view and mixing I'd like to see how long the mix is w/o having to go into arrangement and click somewhere

Only way I know is to select the loop selection bar in arrangement view, and it'll tell you down the bottom how long that selection is. It takes tempo automations into account too.

I don't know if there is a way in session view, but how hard is it to hit tab, then click on the selection bar?

[AeroMusic]

Yeah, thats what I've been doing - suppose it's not hard, just every daw I've been on before had this feature and it's a little annoying when I'm not at the computer or when I want to know how long I have while doing something else

[The-iMortal]

I just found out a very useful feature Live has integrated: macro controls. You can control any combination of parameters from all plugins you wish to use, to be controlled by one knob.

Found this tutorial for those who have not discovered this yet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEisxcqNLro