Would Ableton be right for these things?

glu · Post by **glu** » Thu May 26, 2005 2:53 pm

So, before I buy the full version (I have lite version for digidesign) I just wanted to make sure I can do a few things. I have a Korg Trition, and I usually sequence on that thing, but I want to sequence on the computer- ableton does that well, right!? MIDI and audio-much better than the Triton! Now, How about mapping drum kits and triggering them from a USB controller? Can I do that well in Live, or am I better off with a seperate program for that kind of stuff (sampling, synthesizing,etc) and Is Operator worth the extra cash? All opinions welcomed.

Anybody else switch from hardware sequencing and sampling to Live? What was your experience. I think if I just used my triton purely as a sound creator then I probably would get a lot more out of it and Live. Any comments? I am getting a Laptop (AMD 64) this week, so soon soon soon will be Live, as long as it is good for mapping drum samples.

mikemc · Post by **mikemc** » Thu May 26, 2005 4:06 pm

Some background on my opinion: I really like Live, the only thing that my fingers find missing from it is right click menus for copy and paste. Ableton may have done the best translataion of real world tasking to a user interface that I've ever seen. I plan on using Live for the rest of my life.

So there is my bias.

glu wrote:Now, How about mapping drum kits and triggering them from a USB controller?

You will need some intercessory sofware to map the USB device HID input to MIDI, at which point it becomes a MIDI controller.

Can I do that well in Live, or am I better off with a seperate program for that kind of stuff (sampling, synthesizing,etc) and Is Operator worth the extra cash? All opinions welcomed.

Yes, you can do that well in Live 4. Here is my opinion about Operator, which I purchased. What I believe I am getting for the price is not just a soft synth but a soft synth that will be well supported long term, and is well integrated into Live, with complete MIDI 'learning'. I have considered that there may be other soft synths that are less expensive (even free) that offer comparable tonal value, but it does sound really good to me-- there is a real character exhibited in my tracks that incorporate it a "parsimonious elegance" to the tonal quality, where lots of notes/walls of chords are not needed. Also, I am hoping, maybe in vain, that as an Ableton customer purchasing Operator, future favorable pricing options may be extended to me.

Anybody else switch from hardware sequencing and sampling to Live? What was your experience. I think if I just used my triton purely as a sound creator then I probably would get a lot more out of it and Live. Any comments?

I'd agree. In general, hardware sequencers are painful. There are things you may still wish to do with these from time to time, but to be tied to these for sequencing when software that does so much more exists is a sad fate, and there is software that looks just like them if you decide you miss them.

innerdreamrecords.com · Post by **innerdreamrecords.com** » Thu May 26, 2005 4:22 pm

For serious sequencing I prefer Logic. Live is great but as a full on production tool it has it's limits imo.

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Thu May 26, 2005 4:28 pm

mikemc

Cheapy Logitech three-button mice can be mapped to any keystroke. I use the middle button for Copy and the right button for Paste.

anonymouse · Post by **anonymouse** » Thu May 26, 2005 4:39 pm

with a nice synth like the triton you might want to check out Cubase SL. You can't get a better Midi sequencer for PC at the price.

Live is not really trying to be a pro sequencer; it is more like a performance swiss army knife than a full toolbox.

depends on if live performance is your game, or detailed midi programming and control.

anti-banausic · Post by **anti-banausic** » Thu May 26, 2005 4:44 pm

Damnit hambone1, I use the same exact setup on my mouse.

Actually, I have a five-button scroll. But yeah, middle button on top copy, right button near pinky finger, paste.

I do want that Belkin speed-pad for my left hand. but then I wouldn't be able to..........

Just kidding.

I do find myself right-clicking if I have been at work in other apps for awhile.

But LIVE's simplicity is part of what makes it fantastic.

Can't wait for 5.

diverdee · Post by **diverdee** » Thu May 26, 2005 8:38 pm

I've moved around & used a lot of different sequencers, still collaborate with people who use different gear, & i've kinda settled on live.
It all depends on what you want.
I wanted simplicity, nearly stuck with Tracktion - which was simple, & good in it's way, but in the end had issues for me.
I find Live's way of working to be refreshing, it allows me to just muck about & in a sense not worry about the final product in a fairly organic fashion.
The midi editing is still basic compared to many full on midi sequencers, i.e. logic, SX etc. - I would hope that we see some increasing functionality - but it is quick & easy to get things going.
Reckon this ones a sticker - I tried it at a friends & had bought it a week later - couldn't help myself.
Noodling around with clips & then just dropping them into slots etc. - it's fun, simple as - & imo when you are having fun you tend to lose yourself 7 that allows creativity to flourish.

mikemc · Post by **mikemc** » Thu May 26, 2005 8:40 pm

hambone1 wrote:mikemc

Cheapy Logitech three-button mice can be mapped to any keystroke. I use the middle button for Copy and the right button for Paste.

hey, cool, i'll look into that, thanks!

glu · Post by **glu** » Fri May 27, 2005 12:12 am

Well, here is a little more backround. I have Pro Tools and an Mbox. I plan on doing serious recording with PT. Triton and Moog plus samples for my sounds, and looking at Live for live performance and to input into Pro Tools for serious mixing and final products. (after mastering) I am looking at a M-audio O2/ Live 4 package. This would allow me to map samples and loops and mix shizz in realtime for performance, also I can later rewire to PTLE or record track for track into Pro Tools for further mixing, processing, and bouncing (studio work)

Would Live suit my needs as an audio sequencer to use live and for musical ideas, and as a seperate instrument to be thrown into Pro Tools? Making drum kits, stretching samples across the O2 or Triton controller, etc?

All the input is awesome. I just want to make sure this program would be the best for me. I probably wouldn't be using soft synths as much as samples (FOR NOW), so I am most concerned with sampling and mapping, and sequencing the audio and/or mapped samples. I want to take the work away from the Triton as much as possible and use Live instead (love the friggin interface!) Does this still seem like the best choice for what I want to use it for?

any more input?

THanks a mill
Glu

olafmol · Post by **olafmol** » Fri May 27, 2005 8:36 am

glu wrote:
any more input?

THanks a mill
Glu

yeah, download the demo, install it, and work through the tutorials

it's really the best way to see if live suits you..

good luck!

Olaf

glu · Post by **glu** » Fri May 27, 2005 12:52 pm

Olaf, I have the lite version for Pro Tools Le, so I have been able to play with it a bit. It is quite limited though. On the lite version I can't drum map stuff and I can't see all the effects that live comes with (just a delay, comp, and verb?). I also can't have more than six audio tracks. From what I have seen I think Live is awesome. I just want to see if anyone else on this forum uses Live for beat mapping and multisamples, or if they use addittional software for that. Its cool if i need Live and another piece of software. I am new to the virtual world. I have had Pro Tools for about 3 years now. I have been sampling, synthesizing, beatmapping, and sequencing from the Korg triton. I just want to make sure other people find live to be intuitive in doing those things. The demo/ or Digi version cuts most of the stuff out that I think I will use. As a performance software-I can't wait!!! my partner in crime is getting a G4 lappy and we will jam (only he will jam with video, myself with audio)

Will the Mbox serve well in the full version (as it does in the lite version ?) So far so good. And any more thoughts on Operator?
Thanks everybody
Feel free to post how YOU use live!
Glu

olafmol · Post by **olafmol** » Fri May 27, 2005 12:58 pm

glu, i was talking about the demo of ableton live

for what it's worth: live's midi capabilities are not as extended as with fe cubase or logic, but on the other hand: not everybody needs these advanced midi options and they can clutter the workflow

Olaf

glu · Post by **glu** » Fri May 27, 2005 10:47 pm

I am used to mainly creating and triggering loops on the Triton's hardware sequencer, so the extent of my MIDI work will be fairly simple for now. The most important thing is that I can sample, map multisamples, throw those over a range of keys, assign knob controls on a midi keyboard, and sequence the samples and sounds. If Albeton can do this well, then that's all I am concerned with for now. I want to be able to perform with it live... which seems like it would be a better choice than Cubase or other sequencers. Do other people here use ableton for these things? I will download the demo once the new AMD lappy arrives

!!
sorry for the ongoingness of the questions, I just like to hear everyone's experience doing these things, and so far you all have been very helpful...and I will remain jealous of you all until I get Live!
Also, any other program that is VERY complimentry to Live?
Thanks
GLu

glu · Post by **glu** » Sat May 28, 2005 6:28 am

I think I get "a" picture at some of the possibilites live can offer me musically. After watching that, it made me feel like my questions were pretty lame! It appears as though this would turn me into a mental octopus!

Here's my question: How many live instruments (generally running well on a good AMD cpu) would I expect on a session? Might it still be a good idea to use some of the triton's sequencer as a WAV audio loop to conserve CPU power instead of using so many simpler tracks (that's the instrument.. i hope im not wrong)

Damn, i want to get this software now but I am also wondering if version 5 is around the corner.. plus i would rather buy the new version plus Operator....hmmm

stephenlnoe · Post by **stephenlnoe** » Sat May 28, 2005 11:47 am

Seems like you're doing alot of mental masterbation. Instead, check out the turorial movies here: http://www.ableton.com/index.php?main=movies

I agree that not having the right mouse button is annoying but other than that Live4 is a great product. You can use the Korg to trigger just about anything in live. Loop creation is a snap and it is all real time. It pisses me off that they didn't include a VST adapter for at least 1 GM/GS/XG sound bank and you are stuck with 'simpler' which isn't all that useful for simulating real midi instruments.

The drum loop creation is very easy and the interface is really only 1 o 2 days of playing and watching tutorials and reading the manual and then you've got it.

If you want to get creative with loops and preview loops real time then Abelton is fantastic. I do recommend getting the Abelton LIVE 4 Power book to really get into all you can with Live4

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... s&n=507846

good luck..

Would Ableton be right for these things?

Would Ableton be right for these things?

Feel Free to Post how YOU use live!

okay, i watched a few demos