The Ableton Q&A Thread

[nowaysj]

There are tape recorder type vst's that record incoming audio. Edison by imageline is one such. It is a full featured (and maybe the best) audio editor as well. My resampling process is put edison at the end of my fx chain's and sample away and process further. This is in flstudio mind you, though. Edison is around $100 if irc. There are free simple audio recording vst's though.

[Disco Nutter]

Also, probably with an external program like Audacity?

[nowaysj]

It is really convenient to have a vst at the end of your chain for things like this. I like synths where everything is supposed to be modulatable, but there are always options that if you change while the synth is playing notes, it will create a fucked up unique kind of sound, those things often can't be automated, like the synth designer didn't want manipulation of those parameters in a real time setting. Having a tapedeck at the end of your fx rack, lets you do what the fuck ever you want to do, and beyond that, Edison is a great audio editor, so you can actually get your sound ready to enter the Colosseum of the mix.

[Redderious]

Hello again, I'm having issues syncing a new vst i've downloaded to Live. I've installed other plugs before and it seemed to be easy, but that was a while back so my memory on the instructions is fuzzy. I made sure my custom folder was set to Library/Audio/Plug-ins which is location i originally installed my download to. But once i scan for new plug-ins it never seems to show up. I then rescanned all plugs by holding ctrl and clicking on scan in Lives preferences and still no new results.

I'm trying to install a VST called KTGranulator which is a free Grain Delay Unit. If you wan't to check out some details or download it go to this site: http://www.koen.smartelectronix.com/KTGranulator/

From what i hear it's a lot of fun and has potential to make some great sounds. But if anyone can help out with my issue i would greatly appreciate it.

[Disco Nutter]

Try putting the .dll file in the main plugin folder.

[sn0wday]

Question 1) How can I sidechain something to more than one output (or should I even do that)?

i.e. I have a Lead I want more subbass on, so my subbass patch is sidechained to that. I would also like the subbass side chained to my kick drums at the same time.

Question 2) I have this subbass sidechained to the synth, but they are not in sync.. the bass notes from the subbass are in the right pattern, but it's totally out of sync with the synth notes.

Question 3) If i have a synth loaded from anything from Operator to Massive, and I have all the effects on it, and decide i want to change the synth preset or tweak it, how can I do this without it deleting all of my effects lined up?! This is driving me mad.

i.e. i have a bass loaded in operator, effects and all. I double click a different bass in that instance of operator; all my effects disappear.

[Disco Nutter]

You can bounce a channel with the 2 sounds you want to sidechain to, mute it and set the compressor to use it. Or you can add two sidechain compressors one after the other?

[nowaysj]

Can't say how to do this in live, but this is the concept for 1, create a sidechain buss. Everything that you want to be a sidechain trigger send to that buss, don't send that buss to the master. Or just use multiple comps. I do either or depending.

[JTMMusicuk]

Question 3) If i have a synth loaded from anything from Operator to Massive, and I have all the effects on it, and decide i want to change the synth preset or tweak it, how can I do this without it deleting all of my effects lined up?! This is driving me mad.

i.e. i have a bass loaded in operator, effects and all. I double click a different bass in that instance of operator; all my effects disappear.

drag the vst to your effects chain instead of onto the channel (where your midi clips are) i take it you are using presets within operator or changing vsts

[JTMMusicuk]

edit: wrong thread

[Kingofstreet]

Ill go research on that Edison now..
Thanks alot!

[Attila]

So I'm putting together a folder of a few dozen little synth pieces to cut together for a track I'm doing, is there a way to just drag the wav file over from arrangement without it creating an alc file and all that other bs? I just want a folder full of wavs that I can drag in and out quickly.

[mks]

So I'm putting together a folder of a few dozen little synth pieces to cut together for a track I'm doing, is there a way to just drag the wav file over from arrangement without it creating an alc file and all that other bs? I just want a folder full of wavs that I can drag in and out quickly.

No, any time load any audio in Live it will create an .asd file. That is how Live keeps track of warp settings, clip settings etc. I don't think you can turn that off because the program needs it.

[bibbyj]

So I'm putting together a folder of a few dozen little synth pieces to cut together for a track I'm doing, is there a way to just drag the wav file over from arrangement without it creating an alc file and all that other bs? I just want a folder full of wavs that I can drag in and out quickly.

No, any time load any audio in Live it will create an .asd file. That is how Live keeps track of warp settings, clip settings etc. I don't think you can turn that off because the program needs it.

You can turn it of in preferences, under the "File Folder" tab, just turn off the Create Analysis File Button.

[mks]

So I'm putting together a folder of a few dozen little synth pieces to cut together for a track I'm doing, is there a way to just drag the wav file over from arrangement without it creating an alc file and all that other bs? I just want a folder full of wavs that I can drag in and out quickly.

No, any time load any audio in Live it will create an .asd file. That is how Live keeps track of warp settings, clip settings etc. I don't think you can turn that off because the program needs it.

You can turn it of in preferences, under the "File Folder" tab, just turn off the Create Analysis File Button.

Word, that's good to know. I guess if that's turned off though, none of your audio settings will be saved?

Edit: I had to look into these .asd files more because I realized that I hadn't ever turned them off. They will save your warp settings, but only if you hit the save button. I guess the .asd files just help your audio load faster because the program doesn't have to re-analyze the audio every time it is loaded.

[Attila]

I think the setting only pertains to when you export a finished track, still makes a separate project folder for each sample when you drag it over :/ Makes creating your own sample packs a pain in the ass.

[itzDetrimental]

I think the setting only pertains to when you export a finished track, still makes a separate project folder for each sample when you drag it over :/ Makes creating your own sample packs a pain in the ass.

Why don't you just freeze and flatten?

[symmetricalsounds]

yeah or just setup a new audio track record off the bit you want, then in the file browser create new folder and drag it into said folder.

[Attila]

That's what I've been trying to fix. It creates a folder with a bunch of irritating sub folders (Project 1-7-8; Samples; Recorded) and an alc file. I just think it's stupid you can't drag a file out without Live making a mess out of it.

[sn0wday]

What is a simple yet effective way to layer bass in ableton? I have a few bass sounds that I've created in Massive, but to my knowledge almost every synth you hear is layered with subbass/other bass to make it more powerful and punchy.

How can this be done? Or any other tips you guys have to make basses sound more powerful.

Also, so I want to eq my drums. I have all my percussion on one instance of drum rack, how can I eq JUST the kicks, or JUST the snares? Adding an EQ to the drum rack EQs every piece of percussion. Is there a way to single out different parts or do i need to re-do my percussion in order to single out samples to EQ?