Routing Return tracks when using external mixer, DJ Style.

[skulpture]

I have searched these forums quite extensively and have yet to find an answer, found lots of useful things but not what i'm after.

I currently use Live 7. Just bought a novation nio 2 in 4 out. So this is my set up:

Track One in Live -> Ext 1&2 into NIO -> Into channel one of DJ mixer
Track Two in Live -> Ext 3&4 into NIO -> into channel two of DJ mixer

I use the DJ mixer to Cue tracks and currently the 'Master' track in Live is 'dead/unused'.

My question:

I quite like using return tracks so you have wet/dry control and can send more than one track to an effect at any one time. How do I route this? Seems like I need to set up a sub-master or something but can't for the life of me figure it out. Surly this has been done before. I know I can set up duplicate effects on each track but seems a bit long winded for me....

Any suggestions? Thanks...

[aeon_flux]

6 out card, 3 ch mixer with posibility to keep one channel unasigned to xfader.

[skulpture]

So your saying the 3rd outputs (5&6 stereo) would be a separate track just for effects?

[aeon_flux]

right. if you want to mimic return tracks of live and have master out of your external mixer - can't see other way.

[dcondax]

in that case check if you external mixer has an AUX in,

the aux ins are usually unaffected by the x fader.

im not sure about the nio, but find out if you can internally assign the head phone out as your 5/6

godspeed

[skulpture]

Hmm I can see what you all mean.

I only have a 4 output sound card so I can't do this but I am still intrigued by the theory/method of it. This is the first obstacle I have faces since switching from a traditional 'analogue' DJ set up. I have just watched the deadmau5 videos on youtube which have been mentioned on another post and it confused me quite a bit.

[aeon_flux]

aux is ok, or f/x return. you still need additonal pair of audio out (5/6) which you don't have on your interface.

you can consider mixers that directly can take upto 4 channels from firewire/usb:
- a&h xone:3d
- a&h xone:4d
- korg zero4
- korg zero8
- ecler evo5
- mackie d.4 pro

those ones do not need audio interface no more. just computer and PA
(mix can be directed back to ableton to record via the same fw/usb connection at home)

[aeon_flux]

hmm. i tried some different routings and it is still not ideal and have big flaws:

- you can use particular send only for active side of crossfader (if crossfader is on deck x side, sending something on deck y will bring its effect into mix)
- unless you have crossfader in the middle, sending whatever you want on both decks has limited sense
- there are probably more

take a look:



main deck channels do not produce audio to your card, both are redirected to sub channels. subchannels takes also both returns (and thats a flaw).

i don't know rest of your setup, how your midi control of sends look like. if you have free midi fader that can replace your mixer's crossfader i think i am able to change it into perfect solution

[skulpture]

aeon_flux Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. I will re-create this and experiment. Thanks for all your replies.

[aeon_flux]

if you are able to use any midi crossfader mapped to marked live xfader, instead of your hardware mixer xfader (and mappings to A i B as shown) you will not have described problems as far as i checked with my tests. it is hard to help more as i don't know the rest of your setup (beside mixer and audio interface).



with midi crossfader setup as shown, if send a is active on both decks, x and y, you hear only f/x according to live crossfader, max to left only deck x with effect of send a, center both decks with effect, max to right only deck y with effect.

[krisque]

OK hope I'm on topic here. I have dreamed up the perfect setup for me. Its taken at least a year of messin with different midi controllers and mixers but I finally feel like I got it right this time. Here's my set up

A&H xone 92, Motu ultralight, Novation launchpad, trigger finger (cause I need knobs)

Now heres the tricky part in Ableton I have 8 channels. every 2 running to one channel on the mixer. So for example on the launch pad the first row is for full songs. and each clip has a different stating point in the song. Now the second row on the launchpad(that is also going to channel one in the mixer) is samples taken from that song, (like a kick, snare, vocal , cool sounds etc) and when I trigger the second row it mutes out the first channel so I can kind of improvise with the song with it's own samples.

I dont think it's necessary to explain how i'm completely configured, so with this info I cant routh the x y crossfader cause its already being used. Is there anyway you geniuses can figure out how I can use my sends and returns like im used too. If I have to give up one of the channels in the mixer I will. I'm just kind of confused how to set that up.

thx and if i confused anyone just ask and I'll try to re explain.

Best! Krisque
p.s I luv my Ableton famaaaaaaleeeee=)