Old Bug Never Left Live

[JBlongz]

This problem has always existed, but I thought it was just my system. When im using Kontakt4, I load my songs by typing into the database search box like I did in this video (FasForward to 4:50): http://www.youtube.com/jblongz#p/u/2/Nq-AEcj8ODA

If I want to do another search, my natural instinct is to press delete(backspace) to erase the text i previously entered. This however deletes the current track selected (the track that kontakt is in) Is happend especially when the track was selected prior to operating in Kontakt. So basically I need to be able to delete text from the box without deleting the plugin/track. For now I can execute an undo to correct my natural mistake (it happens very often), but its not something I plan on getting used to. I'm not quite sure where the problem is (NI or Ableton code), but it seems Live does not release the track controls when the plugin is selected.

[tlennon]

There is an option you need to type in the cfg file but I can't remember right now. I will check when I get to the studio.

[JBlongz]

I'm using a MacBook Pro by the way.. When you say cfg file, it seems like you're talking about Windows.

[darkenedsoul]

I think the file is called Options.cfg and it is somewhere in the path. I don't have my system up at the moment. Not sure if it's mentioned in the Live manual (check it). But search here for Options.cfg or config file and see what you find. There are posts here about it and this issue with NI instruments.

Mike

[tlennon]

That's what I meant. Thanks Mike I've be meaning to check it for him but everytime I'm in the studio, I forget. Sorry JB.

[8O]

Hi, in the Live Audio Unit and VST Status sticky thread, there's this:

Computer keys input doesn't work in some plugins on Windows
Format: VST
Platform: PC
Status: If the DebugOption "-_EnsureKeyMessagesForPlugins" is set in the Options.txt, we make sure that all key messages reach a plugin's window in front. That way, edit fields are again editable in the NI VST plug-ins. On the downside, key messages do not reach Live anymore as soon as some objects in the window of the VST plug-in are selected. Thus, for example, once an edit field has been edited, Live's playback cannot be started via Space until Live's main window regains focus.

...which would seem to be what you want, but it's marked as a PC, not Mac, issue... ...maybe try it anyway?

[JBlongz]

I've been looking for that config file with no success on my Mac.

[8O]

Path details for mac/pc here: http://www.ableton.com/pages/faq/options_text - and if it isn't there, just create it.

[8O]

^ if you do have to create it, don't use TextEdit on the Mac as it'll add loads of meta data into the file. I use a great little free editor called Smultron, but there's other free options too.

[JBlongz]

Thanks for the link. I found the file and pasted the "-_EnsureKeyMessagesForPlugins" command under the default command "-_PluginAutoPopulateThreshold=0" that was already existent. However, this did not change anything. Perhaps it only works for windows. I'll try looking into it some more.

[taoyoyo]

This has been something that's annoyed me for ages... I had edited the options.txt file adding the 'EnsureKeyMessages' command previously but had not heard of the 'PluginAutoPopulate' command (it wasn't already existing in the options.txt) file. So I added that in.

As some people have said it's a real pain trying to backspace in a text field in a plug-in and having the focussed plug-in deleted. Especially if you have Kore2 as the plug-in and Maschine in Kore2... 30 seconds wasted every time you hit backspace.

I thought I had it working within Live 8 on OS X using those commands but it will only work as long as you keep the initial plug-in window open in that session.

... I had Maschine open in Kore in Live and I could backspace through text in both fine. I could close and reopen the Maschine GUI and still do it on both. I could hide the plug-ins and it still worked. Close the Kore GUI or reopen the session again and it reverts to the delete behavior with that channel. (You can make a new instrument and it'll work but you only get one shot).

This could really do with being fixed.

[JBlongz]

I wonder why the options.txt script does not work on my Mac? I entered it as windows users say that have, but I do not get the results.

This has been something that's annoyed me for ages... I had edited the options.txt file adding the 'EnsureKeyMessages' command previously but had not heard of the 'PluginAutoPopulate' command (it wasn't already existing in the options.txt) file. So I added that in.

I don't know where the "_PluginAutoPopulate' command came from either. I sure did not put it there, and I do not know what it does.

[taoyoyo]

I wonder why the options.txt script does not work on my Mac? I entered it as windows users say that have, but I do not get the results.

This has been something that's annoyed me for ages... I had edited the options.txt file adding the 'EnsureKeyMessages' command previously but had not heard of the 'PluginAutoPopulate' command (it wasn't already existing in the options.txt) file. So I added that in.

I don't know where the "_PluginAutoPopulate' command came from either. I sure did not put it there, and I do not know what it does.

Did you use Smultron to edit the options.txt file? (and made sure that you're editing the options.tx file from the latest version of Live that you're using?)

That seemed to work in my case but even so, it's not working properly enough for it not to be a pain. (I'm still having to try to remember to empty the search text field rather than backspace).

I sent a support email to the Abes about it too in the hope that they'll be able to get the hack working properly for us Mac users too.

*fingers crossed*

[taoyoyo]

An additional note for any OS X users that this effects... though not ideal, 'any modifier key + backspace' will allow you to backspace within text fields of third party plugins without the plug-in being deleted.

Just got to used to doing this now!

(Real thanks to TLennon for suggesting this for a problem I had with Kore, which I then thought I'd try in Live).

[JBlongz]

Thanks taoyoyo, that keyboard shortcut works. I used BBEdit to set the options.txt. I'll try your way when i get a chance.