switch instruments depending on the songs in arrangement mode

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MartoniDePapel
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Joined: Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:51 pm

switch instruments depending on the songs in arrangement mode

Post by MartoniDePapel » Sun Dec 07, 2025 5:20 pm

Hello everyone, for my live performances I use the arrangement mode in Ableton Live 12.
What I want to do is use the chain selector in the instrument rack to automatically switch instruments depending on the songs in my set.

The problem is that I can only find tutorials that explain this in Ableton's session mode. Is there a way to do this in arrangement mode? And do you have any tutorials or explanations on how to do it?

Thank you!

Tarekith
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Re: switch instruments depending on the songs in arrangement mode

Post by Tarekith » Sun Dec 07, 2025 5:48 pm

It's basically the same procedure, except that instead of drawing the chain selector automation in the clip envelopes, you'll draw it directly in the arrangement below each clip. You just need to make sure that when you jump to a new place in the arrangement in your live sets, that you start playback before where those envelopes are changing the chain selector.

MartoniDePapel
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:51 pm

Re: switch instruments depending on the songs in arrangement mode

Post by MartoniDePapel » Sun Dec 07, 2025 9:46 pm

Thanks for your reply, I understand what you mean, but I can't seem to get it working. In arrangement mode, I create a MIDI clip, I open it, I select "instrument rack > chain selector", but I don't see the red line at the bottom that allows me to select the numbers corresponding to the songs.

Tarekith
Posts: 19140
Joined: Fri Jan 07, 2005 11:46 pm
Contact:

Re: switch instruments depending on the songs in arrangement mode

Post by Tarekith » Mon Dec 08, 2025 6:03 am

The red line is in the arrangement itself, not the clip view.

MartoniDePapel
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:51 pm

Re: switch instruments depending on the songs in arrangement mode

Post by MartoniDePapel » Mon Dec 08, 2025 2:01 pm

A okey I got it, thanks for your help !

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