Did I pick the wrong software?

badnicki · Post by **badnicki** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:10 pm

I am very new to Live, so it could just be my lack of knowledge shining through here...
The music I am interested in making uses a lot of recorded samples from various sources (vinyl, tape whatever) as loops. I am having the hardest time (for instance) getting a MIDI drum beat to sync well with these recorded loops in Live. I also find editing these loops in Live less than fun.

Do I just need improvement in Live skills, or am I maybe not using the best software suited to that kind of music? Don't get me wrong, I still love Live and use it a lot for DJing, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't be adding Cubase or something else to my arsenal.

Appreciate the feedback

Patch · Post by **Patch** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:13 pm

Live is fantastic for sample based music - and I'm not talking about: Puff Daddy Style samples or Funky House style sample (althoughit CAN do those easily). I'm talking about DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist style samples.

If you learn to master Live, you'll have those samples in the palm of your hand. Able to make 'em do whatever you want...

Keep on studying, son!

Herne · Post by **Herne** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:25 pm

I have to say getting a MIDI loop to sync with samples is parpingly easy in Live, more so than any other program [except maybe AudioSnap in Sonar6].

Make sure your audio loops are neatly trimmed, especially at the start.
Try out the lessons on warp markers - unevenly trimmed, or odd length clips, means that the warp engine guesses are not as exact as they could be, you need to drag the markers around a bit. The manual and tutorials explain this process very well.

Johnisfaster · Post by **Johnisfaster** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:58 pm

sounds like he just needs to spend more time working with the warp markers and gettting the loop start and end points right, maybe read the manual too?

noisetonepause · Post by **noisetonepause** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:33 pm

You've got the BEST software for doing this stuff... Just keep at it, and don't be afraid of the arrange view.

Sales Dude McBoob · Post by **Sales Dude McBoob** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:18 pm

If the sound project you are trying to create was blindingly easy to do, would it be worth it?

If you're having a difficult time, perhaps that's a sign that you're going for something interesting in your work.

It's true, once you get the hang of it, a lot of stuff like this is easy in Live. But it can still take me a bit if I'm trying to write a new Impulse midi loop to sync with a song or sampled loops.

Tenacity

Daim · Post by **Daim** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:30 pm

80% of my clips are sampled.. i even sample my synth instead of playing it in arrangment because it's so comfortable in live...

badnicki · Post by **badnicki** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:06 am

ok, thanks all. I'm impatient, I've only had Live for a few days...still getting the hang of it. Glad to know I didn't make the wrong choice

zordon · Post by **zordon** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:38 am

Patch wrote:Live is fantastic for sample based music - and I'm not talking about: Puff Daddy Style samples or Funky House style sample (althoughit CAN do those easily). I'm talking about DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist style samples.

If you learn to master Live, you'll have those samples in the palm of your hand. Able to make 'em do whatever you want...

Keep on studying, son!

I noticed your avatar says you use fruity loops, also noticed you like Dj Shadow and cut chemist (good taste). I use flstudio and ableton alot, but im more accustomed to flstudio, so I keep using it as a crutch when I get stuck in ableton. I'm wondering how you use them together? If you dont mind my asking?

Johnisfaster · Post by **Johnisfaster** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:06 am

fruityloops isn't as bad as people make it out to be, there is nothing wrong with making loops in fruityloops and then bringing them into live for a live set or just to arrange in the arrangeview

Clearscreen · Post by **Clearscreen** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:30 am

I'm talking about DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist style samples.

...or amon tobin!

Steve Christian · Post by **Steve Christian** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 11:27 am

Clearscreen wrote:
I'm talking about DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist style samples.
...or amon tobin!

Amon's gonna be here May 5th @ The Metro in Chicago. I can't frickin' wait!!!

Did I pick the wrong software?

Did I pick the wrong software?

unskooled