Great! I have been watching lots of youtube videos on Ableton Live for midi setups & patch control, and the way you have been explaining is right on spot & simple to understand. Now I learnt some of it how to do and go about it. Thanks a lot. Now I'm a subscriber too
Thank you so much for this Will! This info has completely changed my approach to live sets. Before I was having to switch projects from my laptop on stage, but now I can have just one flowing set for the whole performance. Ableton never ceases to amaze me.
Thank you so much! You just saved me $120! I didn't want to buy a preset from someone else because I really wanted to make my own! I have all these awesome sounds to work with. You have thoroughly explained getting started. Thank you again!
Awesome tutorial! Thanks Will for sharing this info with us! This is exactly what i had in mind for years, performing with guitar and keyboard but never thought it could be possible yet seems so easy now, absoloutly love this feature
Aaahh man thanks so much for this! I have been banging my head against the computer screen trying to work out how to automate plugins on my guitar audio track and didnt know it was done using audio clips rather than trying to drive them using a separate MIDI track (dont try doing it this way haha). Thanks again!
Glad we could help! Before banging your head against the wall next time, make sure you check out or extensive mentorship network here for help: pyramind.com/mentorship/
Thanks for sharing your advice. It's brilliant and welle explained. Ableton has such combos that you can easily get lost. I've got a question though... What if i want to record something ? How can i do that if clips are already existing ?
I have a question. What if my instrument rack has (for argument's sake) 8 macros that are unique to that rack. (For eg, the Grand Piano in Ableton has Brightness, Hardness, Reverb Amount, Tone, etc.) And say I have 2 such patches. Is there a way to switch between patches and also gain access to their respective macros so that I can have more expression while performing? I have an Impulse 61 that dynamically maps the 8 knobs to the 8 macros of whatever the 1st instrument is. In this case, it maps to the MAIN instrument rack (the rack that houses all of my patches with the chain selector and stuff). I'd love to know what your thoughts are on this. I know hard mapping is one technique, but, just out of curiosity, is there a better way? Brilliant tutorial! Very inspiring content. Thanks a lot. :)
try using an expression pedal and map it to the chain selector, then reserve your 8 hardware knobs for the 8macros unique to each rack. they shouldn't have to be on the same 8-macro GUI within ableton, I don't think.
Great explanation! Now I am wondering... can such dummy clips also be used to change presets of say, looper plugin settings, or time signature and tempo?
This might not be exactly what you're asking, but I know you can toggle time signature and tempo changes of the whole project by naming the scene clips (in the master track) a special way: include in their name somewhere "___bpm" (where ___ is your bpm) and "_/_" (where this is your time signature), don't include the quotation marks.
@@Picapiedras144 I realized that I could change tempo and time signature that way. The other part of question would be for instance to change the amount of bars the looper plugin records before going on playback.
@@LCmaxime If the parameters for that looper plugin are "mappable," (i.e. they show up as colored when you hit "Key" or "MDI" in the upper right corner), then you can probably automate them in the same envelopes of these dummy clips that he's describing. At the very least you could automate them to turn on or off I imagine. I've never used Looper.
Really nice video. Clarifying question: when you do the keyboard split between the two different piano patches, are both device chains always active (on) and consuming CPU in the background?
hey man great video thank you! You mentioned that you also had your launch controlling your band mates abelton session. is there any chance you can expand on this process?
Thanks so much, really helpful! Just some additional questions: 1st question I really don't understand how this "unloading of a VST" works from a technical standpoint. Does it also save RAM usage? Because for me, the CPU - Problems come second. My first limitation is my 16GB RAM, because i tend to load my most favorite Kontakt Patches, Keyscape and Omnisphere Patches. I really can't imagine this Chain-Selector-Technique to be able to somehow magically unload and INSTANTLY re-load huge chunks of Samples into the RAM? If it somehow works, that would be magic AND greatly appreciated, haha!! 2nd Question: Although this tutorial is already a huge step forward for my liveset, i m still missing my personally most important part: I m transitioning from a Boss RC505 Looper in combination with Gigperformer3(=like Mainstage, a VST hoster with a huge VSTpreset-List) to pure Ableton. Now: How do i get from THIS wonderful Preset-List (which hopefully has the mentioned RAM-saving method, haha) to a Liveset which includes some sort of "Boss-RC-505 emulation"? The huuuuge disadvantage of the ableton looper-plugin seems to be, that i can't see many of them at the same time. Also, when increasing/decreasing tempo, the loop gets pitched... i just cant befriend this looper-plugin. ... Isn't it possible to have a Liveset which has a) that huge preset List from which i can load any of my instruments and b) a nice "loopstation" segment, where i can see at least 8 Tracks with visual feedback about the looper-progression, about the looper status "record/overdub/play" - showing ALL 8 Looper-Tracks-Status at the same time, not by switching/zapping through,... which would be such a painfully experience, compared to having everything at sight with the Boss-RC-505! Sorry for the long question, haha - if anyone can help, that would be greatly appreciated :)
This works great for my vocal processing, but once I get up to 11 chains it has a latency on the microphone. Is there something I'm missing? If I create a new vocal channel it no longer has the delay, just after I get up to 11. Any advice out there?
QUESTION. How would you send multiple midi program changes with one scene launch (Session View)? I'm currently using Arrangement View for live tracks and I have dummy clips sending multiple patch changes to my Strymon Timeline during each song. I'd like to convert this over to session view for more on the fly sets but the problem I've run into is if I consolidate the dummy clips they merge to program changes and I only get one patch per song. Hope that makes sense!
Did some more research and found the answer: maxforlive.com/library/device/370/cc-to-program-change#:~:targetText=CC%20to%20Program%20Change%201.1&targetText=A%20simple%20patch%20to%20get,messages%20of%20the%20same%20value.
I notice the transport is running throughout, I think the transport starts running whenever a clip is launched - is there any way of stopping it without having to reach over and press spacebar on the laptop? I can imagine this might cause problems when playing live??
how can u do this with an automatization to for example: you are playing in 3 synths in one song.. but the when thatone ends and another starts, you need another two synths.. but you want to the other 3 to turn off and the new two to turn on.. and not has to do it manualy.. just to be automatic.. .. it is possible?
Thanks for an idea, but this approach has one drawback. If your instrument has some reverb or delay tail it cuts that off in an ugly way. I don't see why you need to switch instrument off, because chain selector does the trick already. Signal is sent only to the selected instrument and others doesn't consume CPU.
I realize this is a year later, but the solution to that is to put your 'verb patch on a send. If you don't want reverb on the following patch, you set a dummy clip to fade the send out to -∞dB within the first eighth note or somethin. If you don't want a send, you can put it in the master instrument rack, just not in the inner instrument rack that changes with the chain selector. Think of the end of your inner rack like a fader; pre and post-fader effect placing make a difference. Sorry for the rant-of-a-reply, but hope this is helpful😁😀
Big flaw with this, is that when you switch the dummy clips while holding a note, it keeps playing until you repress it again. Thanks for the idea though, I will post it if I ever find a solution for it. I just hope it doesn't screw anyone's performance live lol
some really cool tips here, thanks. it shows how incredibly powerful this software is and how inventive the people are that use it.
Great! I have been watching lots of youtube videos on Ableton Live for midi setups & patch control, and the way you have been explaining is right on spot & simple to understand. Now I learnt some of it how to do and go about it. Thanks a lot. Now I'm a subscriber too
Seriously brilliant advanced tutorial 👏👏👏
Many thanks for the creativity tips in this
Thank you so much for this Will! This info has completely changed my approach to live sets. Before I was having to switch projects from my laptop on stage, but now I can have just one flowing set for the whole performance. Ableton never ceases to amaze me.
Thank you so much! You just saved me $120! I didn't want to buy a preset from someone else because I really wanted to make my own! I have all these awesome sounds to work with. You have thoroughly explained getting started. Thank you again!
Thank you! This is EXACT info i need.
Super helpful video!
awesome tutorial very nice
Awesome tutorial! Thanks Will for sharing this info with us!
This is exactly what i had in mind for years, performing with guitar and keyboard but never thought it could be possible
yet seems so easy now, absoloutly love this feature
Great! All I was looking for and then some. Thank you so much 🙌🏼
Taking this to Berghain next week! Thank you!
any time
Aaahh man thanks so much for this! I have been banging my head against the computer screen trying to work out how to automate plugins on my guitar audio track and didnt know it was done using audio clips rather than trying to drive them using a separate MIDI track (dont try doing it this way haha). Thanks again!
Glad we could help! Before banging your head against the wall next time, make sure you check out or extensive mentorship network here for help: pyramind.com/mentorship/
exactly what I've been looking for! Thank you
no problem!
Mann! this is poifecto thank you!
Merci beaucoup, c’est génial !!!
Nice one!
Thank you Sir! Great Ideas.
Thanks for sharing your advice. It's brilliant and welle explained. Ableton has such combos that you can easily get lost. I've got a question though... What if i want to record something ? How can i do that if clips are already existing ?
Check out Binkbeat's free Max for Live plugin "Bink Looper"! It allows recording with dummy clips in Ableton.
Thanks for this tutorial!
I have a question. What if my instrument rack has (for argument's sake) 8 macros that are unique to that rack. (For eg, the Grand Piano in Ableton has Brightness, Hardness, Reverb Amount, Tone, etc.) And say I have 2 such patches. Is there a way to switch between patches and also gain access to their respective macros so that I can have more expression while performing? I have an Impulse 61 that dynamically maps the 8 knobs to the 8 macros of whatever the 1st instrument is. In this case, it maps to the MAIN instrument rack (the rack that houses all of my patches with the chain selector and stuff). I'd love to know what your thoughts are on this. I know hard mapping is one technique, but, just out of curiosity, is there a better way?
Brilliant tutorial! Very inspiring content. Thanks a lot. :)
Did you ever get a solve for this? I'm running into the same issue
try using an expression pedal and map it to the chain selector, then reserve your 8 hardware knobs for the 8macros unique to each rack. they shouldn't have to be on the same 8-macro GUI within ableton, I don't think.
this might help you more than my previous comment: forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?t=217173
Great explanation!
Now I am wondering... can such dummy clips also be used to change presets of say, looper plugin settings, or time signature and tempo?
This might not be exactly what you're asking, but I know you can toggle time signature and tempo changes of the whole project by naming the scene clips (in the master track) a special way: include in their name somewhere "___bpm" (where ___ is your bpm) and "_/_" (where this is your time signature), don't include the quotation marks.
@@Picapiedras144 I realized that I could change tempo and time signature that way.
The other part of question would be for instance to change the amount of bars the looper plugin records before going on playback.
@@LCmaxime If the parameters for that looper plugin are "mappable," (i.e. they show up as colored when you hit "Key" or "MDI" in the upper right corner), then you can probably automate them in the same envelopes of these dummy clips that he's describing. At the very least you could automate them to turn on or off I imagine. I've never used Looper.
Wow... this is simply genius... thank you
Really nice video. Clarifying question: when you do the keyboard split between the two different piano patches, are both device chains always active (on) and consuming CPU in the background?
hey man great video thank you! You mentioned that you also had your launch controlling your band mates abelton session. is there any chance you can expand on this process?
Hey where do I find Will's actual vids? hard to dig through on this channel
Ahhhhhhhhhh....thankyou! That CPU save was eluding me!!!!
Great video! What connection are you using to send MIDI to your band mates computer?
You just made my day sir thank a lots!!!!!!
really nice thank you
any time!
Would saving patches, be allowed without using a midi controller/player? Like can I use computer keyboard keys?
Thanks so much, really helpful! Just some additional questions: 1st question I really don't understand how this "unloading of a VST" works from a technical standpoint. Does it also save RAM usage? Because for me, the CPU - Problems come second. My first limitation is my 16GB RAM, because i tend to load my most favorite Kontakt Patches, Keyscape and Omnisphere Patches. I really can't imagine this Chain-Selector-Technique to be able to somehow magically unload and INSTANTLY re-load huge chunks of Samples into the RAM? If it somehow works, that would be magic AND greatly appreciated, haha!! 2nd Question: Although this tutorial is already a huge step forward for my liveset, i m still missing my personally most important part: I m transitioning from a Boss RC505 Looper in combination with Gigperformer3(=like Mainstage, a VST hoster with a huge VSTpreset-List) to pure Ableton. Now: How do i get from THIS wonderful Preset-List (which hopefully has the mentioned RAM-saving method, haha) to a Liveset which includes some sort of "Boss-RC-505 emulation"? The huuuuge disadvantage of the ableton looper-plugin seems to be, that i can't see many of them at the same time. Also, when increasing/decreasing tempo, the loop gets pitched... i just cant befriend this looper-plugin. ... Isn't it possible to have a Liveset which has a) that huge preset List from which i can load any of my instruments and b) a nice "loopstation" segment, where i can see at least 8 Tracks with visual feedback about the looper-progression, about the looper status "record/overdub/play" - showing ALL 8 Looper-Tracks-Status at the same time, not by switching/zapping through,... which would be such a painfully experience, compared to having everything at sight with the Boss-RC-505! Sorry for the long question, haha - if anyone can help, that would be greatly appreciated :)
Thanks again Will Marshall, very helpful. Also did you know you have the same name as a notable tournament champion from the 1300's? Lucky guy.
Thanks for this you rock
love
I have a question. How could i do this with changing programs automatically on my external synth? Also not with midi controller?
This works great for my vocal processing, but once I get up to 11 chains it has a latency on the microphone. Is there something I'm missing? If I create a new vocal channel it no longer has the delay, just after I get up to 11. Any advice out there?
QUESTION. How would you send multiple midi program changes with one scene launch (Session View)? I'm currently using Arrangement View for live tracks and I have dummy clips sending multiple patch changes to my Strymon Timeline during each song. I'd like to convert this over to session view for more on the fly sets but the problem I've run into is if I consolidate the dummy clips they merge to program changes and I only get one patch per song. Hope that makes sense!
Did some more research and found the answer: maxforlive.com/library/device/370/cc-to-program-change#:~:targetText=CC%20to%20Program%20Change%201.1&targetText=A%20simple%20patch%20to%20get,messages%20of%20the%20same%20value.
thx
Great idea. You could use a guitar asany other midi-controller with a fishman midi-mic.
I notice the transport is running throughout, I think the transport starts running whenever a clip is launched - is there any way of stopping it without having to reach over and press spacebar on the laptop? I can imagine this might cause problems when playing live??
how can u do this with an automatization to for example: you are playing in 3 synths in one song.. but the when thatone ends and another starts, you need another two synths.. but you want to the other 3 to turn off and the new two to turn on.. and not has to do it manualy.. just to be automatic.. .. it is possible?
thank u soo much
can I do this in Arrengement mode?
Very clear you‘re a master . What’s your name ?
HI...
How to use Single Instance of Kontakt with Multi Instruments in a Single Midi Channel using Dummy Clips ? please help me... (subscribed)
Smart
👍
Thanks for an idea, but this approach has one drawback. If your instrument has some reverb or delay tail it cuts that off in an ugly way. I don't see why you need to switch instrument off, because chain selector does the trick already. Signal is sent only to the selected instrument and others doesn't consume CPU.
I realize this is a year later, but the solution to that is to put your 'verb patch on a send. If you don't want reverb on the following patch, you set a dummy clip to fade the send out to -∞dB within the first eighth note or somethin. If you don't want a send, you can put it in the master instrument rack, just not in the inner instrument rack that changes with the chain selector. Think of the end of your inner rack like a fader; pre and post-fader effect placing make a difference.
Sorry for the rant-of-a-reply, but hope this is helpful😁😀
sick stuff. if only it worked on the Serge there in the background...
Big flaw with this, is that when you switch the dummy clips while holding a note, it keeps playing until you repress it again. Thanks for the idea though, I will post it if I ever find a solution for it.
I just hope it doesn't screw anyone's performance live lol
Gig Performer software is worth a look.
@@Struct2009 thank you so much! Checking it now