Looping capabilities with Live
Posted: Wed May 24, 2017 1:37 pm
Hi, i’m a logic user that is considering switching to ableton for better live workflow. The main thing that i want to do is loop my instruments, and i also am interested in playing around with the push and other unique features of ableton.
It would be really helpful to hear some opinions about this, could you please offer advice?
I’ll start by explaining where i’m at and what i’m looking to do.
I’ve been been trying to establish my looping workflow for the past year but haven’t found anything that clicks yet. I've tried using the loopback function in mainstage, loopy hd, and a small boss rc-30 pedal- but in all cases i found it limited because i couldnt use a pedal to do most of the functions that i want.
I’ve looked into learning mobius looper, but it also seems like alot to get my head around and i’m wondering if a simpler, more integrated looping solution in ableton might be able to do everything i’m looking for.
Here’s what i’m looking to do:
I have multiple audio instruments (guitars and microphones) that are connected to mac via audio interface and multiple midi instruments (samplepad pro and keyboard) that are connected to my mac via usb hub. I have a few fcb1010’s midi footcontrollers around my studio- so there is one right next to each instrument “station” that i play at.
I want to program a pedal at each of these stations so that I can loop the instrument that I lay down some sounds with, then move to another station and play instrument and loop it on top of the other loop (and so on).
I want to record each instrument (or different riffs from one instrument) on its own separate “track” and be able to control the volume of each track using the expression pedals on the FCB1010.
I’d also like to be able to do these functions from my FCB1010:
record, play, stop, stop/play particular instrument, add/adjust effects, raise/lower overall volume
This video has an example of the kind of functionality that I want (though this is on an iPad with loopy hd) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLO55bLQiAQ
Here’s what i’m wondering:
1. Can the looper set-up in ableton do all of this? If not, what can’t it do?
Or is it likely that i’ll run into problems/limitations like i did with the previous looping setups I tried? Am i better off learning mobius (or some other option) instead? ( If so- I’ve also heard mobius works better with ableton than logic- is there any reason for this?)
2. Is all of the looping function in ableton controlled by one “plug-in”? I’ve been trying to figure out whether there are multiple different looping solutions in ableton or just one. I’m a bit confused because i’m not experienced with sequencers and alot of that kind of stuff. Does the push control the looping function of ableton as well, or does that only do a different type of sequencing?
2b. Would the live instrument looper and the push be in sync?
3, Can i seemlessly loop all of my midi instruments and audio instruments in ableton without needing to fiddle with wires/settings on the computer?
3b.Is there any way to program an external midi button to toggle “record enable” an audio/midi input? For example, if i’m in the middle of a loop with my guitar and i decide that i want to add vocals to the loop- can i just walk over to my microphone and hit a button to start recording (without stopping the music)? Or would i need to stop the loop to start recording or go to the computer to make adjustments?
4. How much of a setup/programming and/or learning curve is there to do what I described? How long might that take?
5. Does anybody know of any resources/links that provide details/instructions on creating this type of setup?
Thanks, Dan
It would be really helpful to hear some opinions about this, could you please offer advice?
I’ll start by explaining where i’m at and what i’m looking to do.
I’ve been been trying to establish my looping workflow for the past year but haven’t found anything that clicks yet. I've tried using the loopback function in mainstage, loopy hd, and a small boss rc-30 pedal- but in all cases i found it limited because i couldnt use a pedal to do most of the functions that i want.
I’ve looked into learning mobius looper, but it also seems like alot to get my head around and i’m wondering if a simpler, more integrated looping solution in ableton might be able to do everything i’m looking for.
Here’s what i’m looking to do:
I have multiple audio instruments (guitars and microphones) that are connected to mac via audio interface and multiple midi instruments (samplepad pro and keyboard) that are connected to my mac via usb hub. I have a few fcb1010’s midi footcontrollers around my studio- so there is one right next to each instrument “station” that i play at.
I want to program a pedal at each of these stations so that I can loop the instrument that I lay down some sounds with, then move to another station and play instrument and loop it on top of the other loop (and so on).
I want to record each instrument (or different riffs from one instrument) on its own separate “track” and be able to control the volume of each track using the expression pedals on the FCB1010.
I’d also like to be able to do these functions from my FCB1010:
record, play, stop, stop/play particular instrument, add/adjust effects, raise/lower overall volume
This video has an example of the kind of functionality that I want (though this is on an iPad with loopy hd) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLO55bLQiAQ
Here’s what i’m wondering:
1. Can the looper set-up in ableton do all of this? If not, what can’t it do?
Or is it likely that i’ll run into problems/limitations like i did with the previous looping setups I tried? Am i better off learning mobius (or some other option) instead? ( If so- I’ve also heard mobius works better with ableton than logic- is there any reason for this?)
2. Is all of the looping function in ableton controlled by one “plug-in”? I’ve been trying to figure out whether there are multiple different looping solutions in ableton or just one. I’m a bit confused because i’m not experienced with sequencers and alot of that kind of stuff. Does the push control the looping function of ableton as well, or does that only do a different type of sequencing?
2b. Would the live instrument looper and the push be in sync?
3, Can i seemlessly loop all of my midi instruments and audio instruments in ableton without needing to fiddle with wires/settings on the computer?
3b.Is there any way to program an external midi button to toggle “record enable” an audio/midi input? For example, if i’m in the middle of a loop with my guitar and i decide that i want to add vocals to the loop- can i just walk over to my microphone and hit a button to start recording (without stopping the music)? Or would i need to stop the loop to start recording or go to the computer to make adjustments?
4. How much of a setup/programming and/or learning curve is there to do what I described? How long might that take?
5. Does anybody know of any resources/links that provide details/instructions on creating this type of setup?
Thanks, Dan