Ableton Forum

Hi everybody

I've been reading about the difference between clip envelopes, which are relative, and actual parameter values / arrangement automation, which are absolute. I think I get the basic idea, but I still can't figure out if the following thing is possible or not.

I'd like to record some kind of "automation" (through envelopes or CC data or some such) into MIDI clips, so that when I trigger the clip, the automation controls a specific parameter, let's say the volume of the instrument (either the track volume or the device volume would work in this case).

Then, when I move a knob on my Nocturn, I'd like to override the recorded automation, for as long as my finger is on the knob (which is touch-sensitive, so it is possible, hardware-wise.) As soon as I release the knob, I'd like the clip "automation" to take over as if I'd never overridden it.

I've already tried with a plain clip envelope and a mapped parameter. By the very nature of relative envelopes, this solution works when I need to manually "lower" the envelope, but not when I need to "raise" it, because the orange dot will always be less than or equal to the absolute parameter value.

Is this possible, using any kind of workaround known to mankind?

Thanks for any pointers

as far as i know, the touch-sensitive controls on the Nocturn/Mk2 controllers are only for automap viewing use; they don't actually output any usable midi data, only info for the automap HUD, so i dont think you can use the touch as an on/off.

as for a workaround,here's an example:

1. add 2 autofilters (chains) to an audio effect rack

2. in a clip, draw in some cutoff modulation of the first autofilter,
and midimap the cutoff of the second autofilter to a knob.

3. now midimap both chain's on/off switch (speaker icon) to the same knob;
set the first autofilter chain (the modulated one) to min:0, max:1 and set the knob-mapped chain to min:1, max:127

now twist the knob; all the way left will be the automated cutoff, but turn it to the right and you have full control of cutoff. twist back full left to get the automation controlling cutoff again.