How to sync Ableton samples+fx with real vinyl - need advice

[mikb]

They do work - I've got one myself. Generating a clock isn't the problem though (his Xone mixer does that too). Getting Live to sync to it is where it all comes apart.

Yes, I know. Tell me about it.

But didn't we just agree on that the Xones MIDI-clock have nothing to do with the tempo of the record being played on a deck connected to it? So how relevant is that clock then? I never tried the Xone myself, but I wouldn't dismiss an owners story on this fact.

[102455]

OK I'm an owner. I have the exact same mixer as the OP, a Xone:92.

The MIDI clock output from the 92 would only have "nothing to do with the tempo of the record" if the DJ was not tapping the tempo button (which is the required method of "teaching" it the tempo). The OP seems to be under the impression that a BPM counter is required in order for a MIDI clock to be generated!

[mikb]

OK I'm an owner. I have the exact same mixer as the OP, a Xone:92.

The MIDI clock output from the 92 would only have "nothing to do with the tempo of the record" if the DJ was not tapping the tempo button (which is the required method of "teaching" it the tempo). The OP seems to be under the impression that a BPM counter is required in order for a MIDI clock to be generated!

OK. This is highly useful if you have something that will actually take MIDI sync. As Live 9 doesn't, instead tapping the tempo directly to Live, from a high quality controller like for example the Ableton Push — that I have — which has a button dedicated for this or another (assuming this can be done reliably). You'd also need "nudge" control if the beats drift a bit. This is much like beat mixing as have already been suggested.

I never used Ableton Live 9 like this, but as it doesn't sync I guess I have to. I think I can pull this off with Push. In my case syncing to another Live machine so exact tempo will be given.

[DJTIVA]

This will never sound tight. Change to timecode vinyl and sync Ableton with for example Traktor and you get a bit closer to your idea. But also this will not sound tight for long as also timecode fluctuates due to the turntables.

[Donnie]

OK I'm an owner. I have the exact same mixer as the OP, a Xone:92.

The MIDI clock output from the 92 would only have "nothing to do with the tempo of the record" if the DJ was not tapping the tempo button (which is the required method of "teaching" it the tempo). The OP seems to be under the impression that a BPM counter is required in order for a MIDI clock to be generated!

OK. This is highly useful if you have something that will actually take MIDI sync. As Live 9 doesn't, instead tapping the tempo directly to Live, from a high quality controller like for example the Ableton Push — that I have — which has a button dedicated for this or another (assuming this can be done reliably). You'd also need "nudge" control if the beats drift a bit. This is much like beat mixing as have already been suggested.

I never used Ableton Live 9 like this, but as it doesn't sync I guess I have to. I think I can pull this off with Push. In my case syncing to another Live machine so exact tempo will be given.

Now, I've synced a bunch of times with two computers live via Ethernet cable. But that is prior to Live 9. Does this no longer work or is just general MIDI cable syncing that has a problem? Just wondering, out of curiosity.

[mikb]

Now, I've synced a bunch of times with two computers live via Ethernet cable. But that is prior to Live 9. Does this no longer work or is just general MIDI cable syncing that has a problem? Just wondering, out of curiosity.

Ableton Live 8 kinda work in an iffy way. In real live play situations I hear it's unreliable.
Ableton Live 9 doesn't work at all as a MIDI sync slave and gets 2.800% CPU spikes and associated crackles in our case. The same on 2007 Macbook Pro as in a 2012 Macbook Pro. Both on OS X 10.6.8.

I haven't tried it on Windows.

[mikb]

This will never sound tight. Change to timecode vinyl and sync Ableton with for example Traktor and you get a bit closer to your idea. But also this will not sound tight for long as also timecode fluctuates due to the turntables.

Beat mixing doesn't sound tight? Yeah, well, that's because the performer can't keep a machine manually synced to a beat. In other words a person who can't DJ.