Ableton Forum

Is it possible to take whatever audio the sound card is outputting, and record that into an Ableton track? For recording samples off of Youtube, etc...

Tried messing around with the inputs in Preferences but "built-in instrument" didn't do it, definitely don't want the mic, and choosing the Duet as input doesn't work without an instrument plugged in. Those are the only 3 options. Any other way?

If you're on a Mac you can use Soundflower, a free app from Cycling74. Assign the output from your computer/youtube to Soundflower, then assign the input in Live to Soundflower. Voila!

Or jackosx

Focusrite's MixControl utility works a treat. But you'll need one of their interfaces.

The problem with Soundflower is that is always eventually GLITCHES

I'm trying a new tactic with Soundflower: making it both the output & the master clock in an Aggregate Device, rather than just assigning it as the output. We'll see if it can run glitch-free...

I should really get a grip on jackosx.

I just send my audio out to a mixer and back in. You have to mute the channel your recording to though, else you'll get a feedback loop.

If its for youtube, you can download the clip using this website; http://keepvid.com/
In mp4 you'll get the best sound quality, often better than the mp3 option.

Ok, so you do need some sort of software external to Albeton, Im not just crazy. Thanks for all the help guys, I'll definitely be checking this stuff out!

Earwax69 wrote:If its for youtube, you can download the clip using this website; http://keepvid.com/
In mp4 you'll get the best sound quality, often better than the mp3 option.

Great go-to site. easy name to remember too for those that have short term memory loss and short term memory loss.

Also used 'free recorder toolbar' many moons ago. Saves as a nice juicy wav in your main docs folder which is a nice touch.

soundflower working fine and glitchfree here.

A lot depends on the sound card you are using.

Many sound cards have the ability to treat the output from the computer as a source for recording. Even if your expensive external card can't do this you may find that it's possible with your computers built in sound card/chip.

I've never had soundflower glitch on me, but sometimes it doesn't do enough.
For example:
something in Reaktor has gone gloriously wrong (a synth is self-oscillating, or something is glitching out badly, err good-ly.)
If I press stop or play, sometimes these things stop, making adding a soundflower resampling channel interrupt the audio weirdness I'm trying to capture...
on second thought, I suppose I could be trying recording in Audacity alongside, but it's much quicker for me to have my minidisc or cassette deck tape something from the master out of my mixer. *shrugs*

pepezabala wrote:soundflower working fine and glitchfree here.

1nfinitezer0 wrote:I've never had soundflower glitch on me, but sometimes it doesn't do enough.

Some questions for you both:
- How are your Soundflower preferences/options set?
- Are you using Soundflower in 2-channel, or 16-channel mode?
- How are your Audio/MIDI settings set?
- Are you using Soundflower as the only output or in an Aggregate Device?
- What Mac are you using?
- Do you use Soundflower for long or short periods of time?

I'd really like to be able to use Soundflower because it's so easy.
Thanks

pepezabala wrote:soundflower working fine and glitchfree here.

+1 No glitches
I like not having to convert D/A and then A/D for no reason.

oblique strategies wrote:- How are your Soundflower preferences/options set?
- Are you using Soundflower in 2-channel, or 16-channel mode?
- How are your Audio/MIDI settings set?
- Are you using Soundflower as the only output or in an Aggregate Device?
- What Mac are you using?
- Do you use Soundflower for long or short periods of time?

I'd really like to be able to use Soundflower because it's so easy.
Thanks

-Default preferences
-2 channel only
-audio: like i said, i've never used soundflower for output from ableton, so if ever i set it to input with the output as my soundcard. midi is full up all options, including an IAC bus
-only output
-a 2006 15" macbookpro
-usually short periods, never for longer than 3 hours. i have lazily mucked around at house parties running itunes through ableton using soundflower but still able to play with effects, loops and keys without bothering to mix.

hope this is helpful ~: )