For a live setting, merge song projects, or leave separate?

[lookwhaticando]

I've been using Live for awhile now in my "studio," but I'm going to be needing to play live shows soon. I haven't really started using the Clip function, as I haven't really needed to. That being said, I was wondering, for a live set that would be about eight songs and roughly 30-35 minutes, would it be better to keep each song as its own project (meaning after each song I would have to open the next project file), or should I merge them into one big huge project file, with automated tempo shifts where each song starts/ends?

I'm just curious because I'd like to not have to wait for the 30-ish seconds that it takes to close/open a song project. However, I don't want my computer to be struggling through the set just because I have all the songs merged together.

Oh, and just for reference, I'm running a 2.2ghz Core2Duo MacBook Pro with (only) 2gb RAM (I'll be upgrading to 4gb very soon).

Thanks for any input -

[3phase]

thats one of the main problems with ableton live..

actually you have to merge them..or you work with 2 laptops and mix them like dj decks...

problem iwth merging is that you end with very big sets..

one reason live likes to crash rather on stage than under normal studio conditions..

[lookwhaticando]

oh sorry, i forgot to mention that i won't be playing like a dj... no mixing of songs. im just worried about the potential awkward silence while waiting for a new project file to load.

[sammich]

yeeah continuity! that silence can destroy the energy in the room, and most likely will. I'm sure you'll find some interesting way around it

[MrBlueAlien]

I need to do this too. I am thinking the best way to do this is to export the individual songs as a wav. Then start a new project and a new live set. drag your .wav songs into the clip launch boxes.

The project file shouldn't be too big that way. The drawback is you can't fully tweak each song.

[kristoffer1989]

so are you going to do that makes this a live show?

[3phase]

so are you going to do that makes this a live show?

thats as people at ableton see it..and sadly many producers seeing it that way too.. you still can look engaged by doing some filter and fx moves..

you just make your live more difficult as it is when you aim to be more live than the dj..

but ok..its a bit lame when you are less live than a dj.. most dj´s dont know which trach they will play in 50 minutes from now..do you know that? than it cat be live.. domt matters if you run full playback or only half..

[msteele]

I need to do this too. I am thinking the best way to do this is to export the individual songs as a wav. Then start a new project and a new live set. drag your .wav songs into the clip launch boxes.

The project file shouldn't be too big that way. The drawback is you can't fully tweak each song.

That's not a performance. Thats not even djing..
There are endless possibilities with live on stage..I wish producers would stop doing what blue alien suggests and find more creative methods for unique performances...
For example, check these guys out..the guy controlling live posted this video on the forum a while back:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ApNl91Mco

Isn't that more exciting/engaging than pressing play?

[3phase]

I need to do this too. I am thinking the best way to do this is to export the individual songs as a wav. Then start a new project and a new live set. drag your .wav songs into the clip launch boxes.

The project file shouldn't be too big that way. The drawback is you can't fully tweak each song.

That's not a performance. Thats not even djing..
There are endless possibilities with live on stage..I wish producers would stop doing what blue alien suggests and find more creative methods for unique performances...
For example, check these guys out..the guy controlling live posted this video on the forum a while back:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ApNl91Mco

Isn't that more exciting/engaging than pressing play?

sure there are.. but there is too much hazzle to transport your studio work on stage with out reload or multiple instances suport of live you will end with monster sets...
or reload gaps..

i personaly think thats a lame aproach..cant be unsolvable to magae this when it would be on the agenda

[kristoffer1989]

i just asked what he was going to do... i mean.. he didn't say anything.. just that he would not dj with his computer..

[lookwhaticando]

i just asked what he was going to do... i mean.. he didn't say anything.. just that he would not dj with his computer..

basically i write electronic music that isn't meant to be mixed. 3-4 minute songs, each with a definite ending. my live set will pretty much be a mix between me launching/tweaking clips via an mpc-style controller, and playing certain parts live with my keyboard midi controller.

im just wondering if anybody has done the "merging" method... i guess i'll just try both and see how it works out. thanks for the input from you all though!

[AltheGatman]

Check out this video - http://vimeo.com/6281034

It's a workshop Tom Cosm and Pitch black did on how they transfer their live sets from the studio to their performance setting, Dunno if you have ever seen Pitch black perform, but IMO they are definitely performing as musicians rather than Dj's - and Tom Cosm.... well he's just a very clued up cat with all things Ableton

hope this helps