Ableton Forum

I'd like to know if there is a way to customize some of the defaults that I don't find options for in the Preference dialog box. For instance, the default fader level for new audio tracks. Or maybe even the input selector on new tracks. There's actually quite a few things that I'd like to change to suit my way of working. What I don't know is whether there is some hidden option/file where things like this can be adjusted. In essence, I guess I'm looking for track templates.

Has this been discussed? Has anyone found a way to do it? If not then I'll jump over to the FR forum and throw it on the pile with the rest but I'm hoping someone has found a way. Even if it's a hack of some kind.

Set all the options the way you want them, then "Save current as default" in the Prefs menu. Might be 'save current as template' - either way, that makes it so however you've saved it will be how it starts up for you, including settings, mappings, loaded instruments, etc.

Thanks for the response. That's similar to what I do now. However, that doesn't address the issue. When I add a new audio track I'd prefer the fader at -9, every time. It's not a huge deal mind you. But if I have quite a few audio tracks to record and I don't how many I will need for a particular project then it's a time saver. I mean it's just one example, there are many. I'm looking for a solution that doesn't require me to anticipate the needs of every possible project ahead of time and save all of those variations. Just small things that would speed up the workflow. Especially when there are people waiting for you to setup the next take or song to be recorded.

never done it myself but you can setup defaults for Live's plug ins. right click on them to set a default, IIRC. they then appear in a defaults folder in the Library.

for your level default you can setup the Utility plug in to default at -9dB. then when you make a new audio track, drop in a Utility and you have the same effect. not as efficient as having the track default but it's closer.

hth.

Ok TD. If you haven't heard of a way to do this then I'm probably better off dropping a new thread in the FR forum. Maybe they'll address these type of issues one day.

Thanks again for the responses.

I made a FR some time ago that addresses the same issue:

http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=142220

phazed wrote:I made a FR some time ago that addresses the same issue:

http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=142220

That's exactly what I'm talking about, so I gave it a bump.

Some of this is possible via MIDI Remote Scripts, at least in terms of mixer-related settings (Volume, Pan, Sends, Monitor, In/Out, Crossfader Assign, Mute, Solo and Arm).

After reading this thread, I decided to give it a go and came up with TrackDefs, which will let you define default mixer settings for inserted Audio, MIDI and Instrument Tracks. Once the script is installed, you can define your defaults by loading the included config set, setting things up how you like and then toggling an Activator switch to store. All of this is covered in the included documentation as well.

FWIW, the script also allows you to change other default behaviors in Live. For example, you can opt to have tracks arm upon selection and you can specify the length of inserted MIDI clips.

I’m not sure of a way of handling default devices per track type, at least not with this method alone.

Anyhow, I hope you find TrackDefs useful and would appreciate any feedback you have on it.

metastatik wrote:Anyhow, I hope you find TrackDefs useful and would appreciate any feedback you have on it.

I will download this and definitely get back to you.

Thanks.