Thank you for the tip about setting up a track to output to IAC, that
was the missing key!
Going back over the post, I can see now the pictures that people
posted with tracks outputting to MIDI Yoke, and it makes sense. However,
when I initially read the thread, I ignored those pics because I figured
that since I was using IAC and mac, that those pics didn't apply to me.
But I can see now they certainly do.
So let me get this straight, you need to to arm two tracks to use this method, correct? That's how I got it to work at home.
One track with an Ableton VSTi
One "blank" track routing MIDI to IAC (or MIDI yoke, or whatever)
On the blank track, I had to route MIDI straight from the controller
I was using (in this case, a Trigger Finger) to the IAC, otherwise, if I left the
track as "All Ins" input, I would get some bad feedback, hanging
notes and things.
I think it's interesting and signifigant to note that Remote data IS NOT
recorded. Rather, CC data is recorded, which is sent to a surrogate MIDI
entity (IAC/MIDIyoke) and that surrogate is the one that is assigned as
a remote controller. As far as I can tell, Remote Data can only be drawn into the clip view, or recorded in the Arrange view... I think it says that somewhere in the manual, but who doesn't like to try to hack?
I COULD NOT get this to work if Ableton was set to accept my controller's input (Trigger Finger) data as Remote (as per the Preferences tab). Here were my MIDI preference settings:
Input Section
Device Track Sync Remote
IAC On Off On
Trigger Finger On Off Off
Output Section
Device Track Sync Remote
IAC On Off Off
Trigger Finger Off Off Off
In my tests, the settings on the Remote Controll Surface
menu (at the bottom of the MIDI pref page) didn't matter.
I ended up leaving "none" in every box, although, if you own
one of those remote surfaces (like the Mackie), I bet that
menu applies to you.
Another mentionable thing I have found is that remote data, recorded on an Arrange track clip, can not be dragged over to the Session view or into the
clip view's envelopes.
For example: In the arrange view, record some notes on a track while playing wth a knob that is remotely assigned to controll the filter cuttoff. The remote data will be recorded in the arrange track, you can see it in the pull down menus to the right where intsrument info is. But this filter tweaking will not show up in the clip
view down below. You can copy the remote data from the arrange track and paste it into the clip view, but I haven't gotten this to work. The clip seems to ignore the
data, and if you switch a screen and come back to it, the data will be gone.
For those who don't know, a clip can be dragged from the Arrange view to the Session by grabbing hold of the clip in the Arranger, switching to Session (press Tab) and dropping that clip into the session view (an appropriate track or blank area). I just learned that trick from reading the archives a few weeks ago... wonderfull. If it's in the manual, I missed it. Perhaps that's why it pays to re-read the manual as one gains familiarity with the program.
In conclusion (it's about time). I don't dig this method of recording into clips. I prefer to use a VSTi like Reaktor and use it to assign remote controllers withing itself, that way, knob tweaks are recorded as CC into a clip, and that clip drives the VSTi. It's much more efficient and musically friendly.
In any case, thank you guys for posting this thread, and your suggestions!
Improved comprehension of Ableton's behavior is certainly an asset here.
Be well,
Andrew
