How I record hardware synths (with Ableton live example)

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 247

  • @DavidHilowitzMusic
    @DavidHilowitzMusic  3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    There's another way of recording synths (using the "External Instrument" device). I discuss that in this followup video here: th-cam.com/video/tUZjnbLK3EY/w-d-xo.html&lc=UgzrhJQBeZJ7eJApM014AaABAg

    • @andym7333
      @andym7333 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      sir what is best way if im playing live?? not 4 studio but live thankssss

    • @andym7333
      @andym7333 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      probably the one shooting midi b4 so no nudging since its live??

    • @pruff5072
      @pruff5072 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm glad you posted the method for poor people first, lol. Because if I understand this Ableton guide correctly (see link below), then the method you show without the "External Instrument" is the only way people can record hardware synths if they have they just have the cheaper Ableton Live versions Lite/Intro.
      (link: help.ableton.com/hc/en-us/articles/209774265-Using-hardware-synthesizers-with-Live).
      EDIT: I started watching your "External Instrument" video where you confirm this and go over why one may choose to use one method versus the other. Thanks!

    • @andym7333
      @andym7333 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@pruff5072 rich or poor wich is best??

    • @pruff5072
      @pruff5072 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@andym7333 I am barely learning this stuff but my understanding is that you may not need to use the external instrument method unless you are trying to record multiple instruments simultaneously - a case where the delay compensation can be helpful. But the Abelton Live developers official position is that one should use the external instrument method. If I was you I would just try out your instrument with your version of Live and if you are having problems with delay then consider trying a free trial of the Abelton Studio version to see if using the external instrument method fixes your problem. Then consider buying either the Standard or Suite version to get that functionality.

  • @ursbasteck
    @ursbasteck 2 ปีที่แล้ว +83

    Kinda weird, really, how there are SOOO many tutorials, guides and walkthroughs for music gear and software but barely any which describe how to use them with each other. This here was much appreciated, thanks!

  • @michaelkonomos
    @michaelkonomos 3 ปีที่แล้ว +125

    This is literally one of the most helpful videos I have ever watched related to music. You explained it so clearly, and the grouping of the track and the way you set up up helped me make SUCH a breakthrough, I was so stuck, I was trying to get a Minilab and a CRAVE to work live in Ableton and I had given up, nothing else online helped, this was such a lifesaver, thank you!!!

    • @christopherjohnson4276
      @christopherjohnson4276 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I'm here for exactly the same reason! My Crave arrived yesterday and connecting to Ableton properly was crushing my soul.

    • @terencole1854
      @terencole1854 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I agree, this is one of the best vids I’ve come across breaking things down. Thanks!

  • @Boistyle34
    @Boistyle34 3 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    Watched 20 different tutorials on this topic, yours was the most thorough & it helped me immensely. You rule dude!

  • @chrisb9026
    @chrisb9026 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    This tutorial was exactly what I needed to be able to record a sequenced patch in my Microfreak, in to Ableton, without the weird tempo sync issue I was having.
    Thank you.

  • @srennrgaard2422
    @srennrgaard2422 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    Regarding your cable issues: Using a USB cable and audio cables simultaneously creates two ground paths between computer and synth (a ground loop). The MIDI connection on the other hand is usually optically isolated so only the only ground path to the PC is through the audio cables. Try to switch to MIDI + audio cables if you run into noise issues again! You can also get USB isolators which do the same thing to the USB connection - very handy to have one around.

    • @Royvdl
      @Royvdl ปีที่แล้ว

      Soo for instance, I have a Roland TR-8 with midi out, and a focusrite scarlett 6i6 with midi in. I connect the midi out from the tr-8 to the midi in of the interface to connect it to ableton and have the sound out from the tr-8 connected to the monitors directly?

    • @srennrgaard2422
      @srennrgaard2422 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@RoyvdlI am not completely sure I understand. Then your would be able to record the MIDI in your DAW but not the audio (since you connected that to your monitors). Your should probably connect
      (1) Focusrite MIDI out->TR-8 MIDI in,
      (2) TR-8 MIDI out -> Focusrite MIDI in,
      (3) TR-8 audio out -> Focusrite audio in.
      Then you can (1) send MIDI from your DAW to your TR-8, (2) record the TR-8 as MIDI in your DAW and (3) record the audio from the TR-8 in your DAW.
      In case of the TR-8, however, it looks like you can do all of these tree thing simultaneously through the USB cable alone, so you might want to look into that.

  • @rgbofmaine
    @rgbofmaine 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Useful info, nicely edited, and delivered in a low-key style. Man that's refreshing. Thanks.

  • @PsyJaye
    @PsyJaye ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You're an empathic teacher.. I am just getting into digital recording after years of using a studio so I am flying blind.. thanks for a great video..

  • @Robert-kx8mp
    @Robert-kx8mp 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I use a hybrid approach combining external hardware and software instruments in the same project, and Ableton’s external instrument device with the automatic latency compensation is a life saver.

    • @DarkFutureConsolidated
      @DarkFutureConsolidated 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      A life saver because you're doing it the correct way;)

    • @marcuswilespage
      @marcuswilespage 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      So you don’t have to manually calculate latency with the external instrument device? How do you commit the track to audio? Flatten the ext inst track, or create a new audio track? If new audio track, do you select the input as external input, or the output of the external instrument track? TIA!

  • @jvsonyt
    @jvsonyt ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The way you explained the clip start and loop gave me the biggest aHa moment. I understood that it worked like that but the way you applied it showed me it's true function. For that I am incredibly grateful haha I'm even more excited to open ableton now

  • @the-sailing-bard
    @the-sailing-bard 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Dave, this video was pivotal for me. Thanks.

  • @ambientshane
    @ambientshane ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This information has helped me out so much.. I've been buying a lot of analogue synth lately + drum machines. I've been a licenced Ableton user since V8. Always wanted to have the best of both worlds. Great video my brother. 🙏

  • @q.u.e.2019
    @q.u.e.2019 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Ive been looking for this THE WHOLE TIME OMG RIGHT TO IT!

  • @qavah4031
    @qavah4031 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I bought the MicroFreak today, this video was so helpful. Thank you! Also, that melody you played sounded so familiar to me. After much contemplation, I finally remembered where I heard it, it's the main melody to the song "En El Muelle De San Blás" by Maná. Probably unintentional but phew you gave me a huge throwback haha

    • @matthewsimental9688
      @matthewsimental9688 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I THOUGHT THE SAME THING I knew it was familiar!

  • @chrisstaniforth5629
    @chrisstaniforth5629 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Cheers for the content dude!! Really useful and easy to understand 👍 appreciate your time.
    Hope you are well!

  • @cesmcmyth
    @cesmcmyth 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    David! aweeesome! Last time I checked - like .... couple of months back - you had 5k subscribers. Now is at 11.5k. Still not as many as you deserve. Congrats! love it

  • @ketekmusic9138
    @ketekmusic9138 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    i wish i had seen this video sooner! i struggled for days, even weeks at a time trying to get my modular synth system to work with ableton. through trial and error ive got to working correctly but i now after watching this video i actually understand why i failed and suceeded haha
    you did a great job of explaing all the steps of routing, syncing and recording process :)
    so glad the algorithm finally led me to this video

  • @patzuck2435
    @patzuck2435 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    le parfait tuto pour ABLETON Live Start version (without that external instrument) ! very helpful. Thank you David.

  • @Rynwlms
    @Rynwlms 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hey. I never comment on TH-cam. But, your stuff is fantastic. I just discovered you. I'm in my mid-life crisis phase and have finally started to take the plunge into music producing after longing to do so for entirely too long. Anyway, enough about me. Your content is super super clear. Has all the necessary detail. And, I really like your delivery. I can tell this is a topic that you have both passion and endurance for. And that is very inspiring. Anyway, I know this topic is too niche for you to make any real money on so this is more of a passion project for you and I just wanted you to hear that it's working. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing with everyone.

  • @vonnie589
    @vonnie589 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you so much for this video!

  • @kreltv
    @kreltv 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Huge thanks David 🙏🏻🤟🏻

  • @TamDNB
    @TamDNB 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Dude, your videos are great. Glad the algorithm pointed me to you

  • @Atatsounds
    @Atatsounds 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    thank you for the best help! Of all there is on youtube this was the best on the subject!

  • @javisounds
    @javisounds 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What a wonderful video! Many thanks for the clear explanation and sharing your journey with us.
    Greetings from Spain,
    Javi Serrano

  • @dusanvukasovic2525
    @dusanvukasovic2525 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    If you play notes on your synth and use MIDI input to record them, it might occur that your DAW sends them back to your synth via MIDI out so the synth plays them at least twice, and that can sound ugly. One of the solutions for that is that you play your synth by master keyboard. Notes go from master keyboard to DAW and then to the synth.
    Next, "round trip latency" means in buffer plus out buffer. 256 samples (in) plus 256 samples (out) at 48kHz is about 10,6ms... plus the latency of the DAW itself which can go high if you use plugins with extra buffers like "look ahead" compressors etc. Few things to keep in mind, but to keep always in mind.

  • @dialman1111
    @dialman1111 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    wow, that tip you showed about saving the channel templates is one of the most awesome tips I've found about Ableton. I didn't know you could do that. Thanks!

  • @marcuslawson9750
    @marcuslawson9750 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Helpful video . That melody at the beginning is also dope 👀

  • @DaveS-Ace
    @DaveS-Ace 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I keep coming back to this video, it has helped me so much, I now utilise everything in it. Even with my old JP8000 :)

  • @graphene1487
    @graphene1487 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Well made and jam packed video. Thank you from someone who has been recording at home for a few years. Served as a solid refresher course.

  • @RenoFriends
    @RenoFriends 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Man this video helped a lot, great explanation

  • @jacquiventurini8844
    @jacquiventurini8844 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wow, your knowledge is impressive. Im so glad I came across your channel! I totally dig your retro take on music too

  • @marcoperez4528
    @marcoperez4528 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Man, thank you for this video. Attempt number 7... And your video was the one. When I release my next album I'm going to credit you. Just look for Yako Ma

  • @dmitrijurovski
    @dmitrijurovski 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very helpful video product you created, Thank you!

  • @lucidview12
    @lucidview12 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks David. This stopped me from pulling out what little hair I have left.

  • @vevench3055
    @vevench3055 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm about to get Microfreak as my first hardware synth and I'm really thankful to you for making this video!

  • @boughtinerror
    @boughtinerror 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    When recording your audio track create a copy for recording and use one for monitoring
    On the record track set monitor to off. You can then monitor through your listen audio track and not record. The recording track the records with zero latency or as close to zero as possible that you cant detect it.

  • @proutie0118
    @proutie0118 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    i eally love what you do.

  • @bci3937
    @bci3937 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks Dav...

  • @shubear5465
    @shubear5465 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you! Super helpful

  • @jondellar
    @jondellar ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you, thank you!! I've been trying to find this out for some time. Really appreciated your step-by-step approach 🎉

  • @R41NES
    @R41NES ปีที่แล้ว

    Perfect video thank you so much

  • @11MasterMind11
    @11MasterMind11 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hmmm.... nice! Exactly what I needed. Thanks for this Video!!!! Also very harmonic way of teaching what is important

  • @beMOTIONdESIGN
    @beMOTIONdESIGN 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video! Thank you!

  • @tom22333
    @tom22333 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thx man. Great point about the notes. Love how the automation is recorded in too!

  • @riggedforsea.6756
    @riggedforsea.6756 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you so much for this man

  • @DopamineOverload
    @DopamineOverload 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Massively helpful walkthrough, Dave. Thanks!

  • @mredo2012
    @mredo2012 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    simply great video!!! thank you

  • @majeston
    @majeston หลายเดือนก่อน

    super helpful thank you

  • @ludwigerhard9723
    @ludwigerhard9723 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Oh nice thanks a lot just bought the minibrute 2s last week without knowing anything about external synths😹

  • @PeterKNoone
    @PeterKNoone ปีที่แล้ว

    Super helpful peak into your process. Thank you!

  • @bkriss
    @bkriss 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    really helpful, thanks!

  • @dreamysleepyzzz
    @dreamysleepyzzz ปีที่แล้ว

    the only thing I hope is that if we can hear just a bit longer of some of the sounds you are making while you are explaining, it would be a much enjoyable and really know what the sound is. But, This is purely great content, have been watching your channels for a few days, it really explain a lot and tells me a lot about what these things are with great background story and sounds, it is awesome. i always loved these sounds, but i had a period where i have no idea where are these sounds made from and what are these machine that have light flashing in pattern. Thank you for sharing the knowledge and making contents like this, really Really appreciate it for the effort and time for this. :D

  • @jeanmakesgames
    @jeanmakesgames ปีที่แล้ว

    thanks David! Thanks to this video I have been able to fix a very annoying problem I had with ableton and my mpk mini: a massive delay! And all of this because my output buffer size was by default at 4096 samples, lowering it to 688 was doing the trick! :)

  • @jesseanderson3835
    @jesseanderson3835 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    The more of your videos I watch the more your tunes give me videogame score vibes. I'm thinking Night in the Woods and Outer Wilds. Very cool stuff. I hope to hear your songs and melodies in some future classic indie games. Cheers from Texas.

  • @Hermiel
    @Hermiel 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    4:44 Unless your DAW lets you mess with the record buffer, a live input signal will always be recorded on time, in sync with the rest of your music. The results would be catastrophic otherwise.
    The delay you hear from large buffer sizes is usually on the playback side, not the record side.

  • @1_of_4
    @1_of_4 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really awesome video!!

  • @dj_Davepz
    @dj_Davepz 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Perfect, thanks mate

  • @casspirburns
    @casspirburns 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks. Refreshing to see a video that gets straight to the point without all the hand waving. Been looking for this info.
    *the gospel radio might make for some interesting sampling

  • @joel_holzapfel
    @joel_holzapfel 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent Video! Thanks David!

  • @gryg666
    @gryg666 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!

  • @pfft9363
    @pfft9363 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    exactly what i was looking for. thank you

  • @cryptik_official
    @cryptik_official 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Besides my question, this video definitely helped me get starting making some cool pads...still, I like producing techno and the Crazy Arpeggiater is honestlywhy I bought this synth.

  • @Musicbymagz
    @Musicbymagz 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    you really made my life way better, I can't thank you enough! the best

  • @jetset808
    @jetset808 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The other thing is if you use 16 bar loops it will be different than 1. There is natural modulation in hardware. Even if it's sequenced by Ableton. So by using longer loops it's less sterile but too long can make it muddy

  • @MELROSEE
    @MELROSEE 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    brilliant thank you!

  • @AndreySutormin
    @AndreySutormin 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thanks David!
    Helpful video and well produced!
    As an idea for another video:
    I'm using Moog Mavis together with microfreak. I spent 4 hours trying to tie them together and tune the Moog. There is no content about that on the internet. So i believe it could be helpful.
    In general using an analog synth with no midi through the cv gate is complicated for the first time.
    I think this piece of content could be useful.
    Thanks.

  • @Paradroidx
    @Paradroidx 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Yes sir some gold knowledge right here. Thank You

  • @syhr_samoht
    @syhr_samoht 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video thanks. I've got into the hardware synth world after using VST's forever. Really helpful...

  • @stephendavismoon4676
    @stephendavismoon4676 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just brilliant, so clear and concise, thank you

  • @mdreid
    @mdreid 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really nicely explained! I struggled a lot with recording synths when I first started and now I use an approach really similar to yours (but relying more on external monitoring as I do most of my effects through aux sends off my mixer). This video would have saved me weeks of frustration. I’m definitely going to point people to this video if I’m ever asked how to record external gear.

  • @dabistudio_japan
    @dabistudio_japan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Nice man! Actually I had exactly this problem as I bought the MicroFreak recently, my first real synth in almost 20 years! As I used to have lots of synths back in the 90s and early 2000s.
    I used to have a MidiSport interface to plug my midi synth but then I moved to Japan 16 years ago and since 2005, I have been a soft synth guy missing my real keys and Analog collection.
    I had to call my friend from Arturia and asked him what I was doing wrong... as I could't get the synth synchronized with Logic.
    It really make me go for more real hardware! I missed too much! Cheers from Japan!

  • @FernandoDCDuarte
    @FernandoDCDuarte 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Super useful information and very well delivered, clear as day 👌

  • @Dexton0742
    @Dexton0742 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hey man, many thanks for this video. Just bought my first h/w synth (Minilogue) and these seemingly basic tips were unknown to me and are essential. Glad I found the video. Thank you. Subbed too

  • @echo_opera
    @echo_opera 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for a clear and concise tutorial on this subject. Keep up the great work 👊🏼™️

  • @daisyroberts7401
    @daisyroberts7401 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Impressive Energy ☝

  • @cooloutcoexist
    @cooloutcoexist 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    "So today we are recording some synth on a chill electro track" - ends up recording some sick gospel chops from the waves :-D

  • @MC-kp1hw
    @MC-kp1hw 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very good tutorial. Thanks for sharing 👍

  • @benoitpiret9065
    @benoitpiret9065 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very cool video and quite complete to get started. I would just note that the point of having a UAD interface is to use UAD plugins…

  • @0x80O0oOverfl0w
    @0x80O0oOverfl0w ปีที่แล้ว

    AM radio stations can be a real pain, they are typically high powered and can cause various types of issues. I used to live next to an airport and when listening to my iPod mini with stock headphones, I could very faintly hear the tower through my headphones.

  • @domasedelectronica
    @domasedelectronica 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    great video!

  • @EclecticSceptic
    @EclecticSceptic ปีที่แล้ว

    I don't use Ableton (beginner with Waveform) but very helpful video, thanks. Wasn't able to figure out how to connect my synth to the computer.

  • @aako-dd1ly
    @aako-dd1ly 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My man ✊️

  • @DEADLINETV
    @DEADLINETV 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Good and interesting video David! Thanks!

  • @macpaz
    @macpaz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you very much for this amazing guide. You've explained the process very well and your editing is so on point.

  • @nathanieldeleon9720
    @nathanieldeleon9720 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is fantastic, great video!

  • @snidedj
    @snidedj 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was excellent, thank you! Maybe now I can start finally recording my Deepmind!

  • @dormaettu302
    @dormaettu302 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really really helpfull for beginners. Thanks

  • @savnac
    @savnac 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    very intuitive guidance. I loved this video and subscribed :)

  • @EldarBaruch
    @EldarBaruch 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Lovely and informative! Thank you. ✨

  • @_yore__
    @_yore__ 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    EXACTLY WHAT I NEEDED, THANKS!! :)

  • @paul_burney
    @paul_burney 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    you need to set monitoring to off for the audio track that you are recording - you will find the track delay is much less (should be on the grid if you do this but won't be because of midi jitter from USB - few ms)

    • @paul_burney
      @paul_burney 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @A.I.D. Step 6 - Use a pair of MIDI and Audio tracks (Optional method)
      In case you don't have External Instrument, or prefer this method:
      Create a MIDI track.
      In the IO section, choose the correct MIDI output port.
      Create an audio track.
      In the IO section, choose Ext. In and the correct audio input port(s).
      Switch the monitor to In.
      Make sure that Reduced Latency When Monitoring is active in the Options menu.
      Adjust the track delay on the MIDI track until the audio is in sync with the rest of the set.

      Step 7 - Recording the hardware into Live
      There are a few different methods of recording the output of your hardware as audio in Live.
      Method 1 (Recommended) - Record directly to another audio track
      Create a blank audio track.
      Set Audio From to receive audio directly from the External Instrument or Audio Effect track.
      Choose between Pre FX, Post FX and Post Mixer. We recommend recording Pre FX to capture pure audio from the hardware, in case you want to further process or adjust any effects afterwards in Live.
      Keep the monitor of the recording audio track set to Off.
      Arm it and start recording into a blank clip slot.

  •  ปีที่แล้ว +6

    What a coincidence. Today, I was just trying to solve the workflow with my HW synths, which is also the Micro, plus the OG Korg Minilogue, and I was getting super frustrated about it. I realized that I truly hate fiddling with the VST synths and I have much more fun with my real ones. But simultaneously I like using MIDI because of the flexibility it gives you. This video is a knowledge bomb that just solved it for me. Thanks!

  • @oliverhans5729
    @oliverhans5729 ปีที่แล้ว

    nice vid!

  • @xradical89x
    @xradical89x 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    thank you David

  • @MrMrDeeCee
    @MrMrDeeCee 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Useful video, many thanks. I almost kept up. Ableton looks so complicated tho to me 🙈

  • @ibrajimenez2098
    @ibrajimenez2098 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video
    Thank you

  • @gadd1111
    @gadd1111 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    awesome. very helpful. subscribed. Thanks man!

  • @zachgochberg4409
    @zachgochberg4409 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    You're brilliant. I've been struggling to get my MODX 8 to work as an external instrument, but I'm using Ableton's Free Trial. So that could be contributing to my problem. Also I have a UM2 Euphoria audio interface that may be substandard. I haven't figured it out yet, but I'll keep working on it.

  • @jetset808
    @jetset808 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    you should have two audio tracks .. one for monitoring and one for recording. have effects on monitoring so you hear effects but record without. Then you can add effects later. Then you don't have to worry about latency

  • @pierrenagonio
    @pierrenagonio 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks and please, more, more, more...