Ableton Forum

Having trouble getting things set up for a live set - thought I would try and work with the Ableton synths, so I set up a few instances of Operator in a rack, each with different sounds - like a preset bank.

Is there a way I can automate parameters on one synth without all the others getting their presets messed up?

For example:
Currently I have the cutoff mapped to the same controller for 3 synths in the rack. I use rack 1, lead synth sound and open the cutoff throughout a section. I then switch to rack 2 only to find the sound is totally messed up because the filter has opened on that rack too. Surely there's some way around this? Like make only the *active* synth receive the automation data?

Are you using blue hand for this? Or just hard-assigning controls to the macros on the rack?

yur2die4 wrote:Are you using blue hand for this? Or just hard-assigning controls to the macros on the rack?

I was just hard-assigning. How do I use the 'blue hand'?

(I'm using a remote SL zero, but without Automap as I need to have several things controlled at once..)

There are ways to have it where you can have 8 knobs on a controller auto-assign to certain parameters for any Live device which is highlighted (blue hand shows up).

A convenient example is the Rack. Racks have 8 macro knobs. Those knobs on your controller would instantly control the 8 macros every time you highlight that Rack. Select another Rack and you can control 8 more parameters.

I did a little experiment. This is what I did:
I made a channel with Operator.
I Grouped it so that it would be contained within a Rack
I right clicked 8 parameters on Operator that I wanted control of and mapped them to various macros.
I then chose that Rack and Grouped it again so it is within another Rack.
This time I duplicated that first Rack as multiple stacked Racks running in parallel. In my experiment I only did 3
I viewed the Chain Selector of the outer Rack and moved each instance to a unique slot (0, 1, 2).

This is the fun part!!

If you hold down one key and then another from a sequence of keys in midi map mode, you are able to jump through a parameter in increments divided by those keys.
I highlighted the Chain Selector in midi map mode and assigned it from C to D. Then set the min 0 and max 2.
Leaving Map mode you can see that tapping buttons C D# and D jump to select each chain to Play. C is 0. D# is 1. D is 2.
I went back to midi map mode and went to each of the Operator Racks I made, starting with the one on chain 0. I highlighted the title bar of that rack with all the assigned macros and mapped the title bar of that Rack to the same C note. I went to 1 on the chain and assigned that rack to D#, etc.
I exited midi map mode
Now when I press C, it chooses that instrument to play, and Also chooses the macro knobs! So I can control Only that one without affecting the others.
All these Operators were the same default presets. The last step is to hot swap each Operator with a reset of my choice . The macro knobs will stay assigned as long as I hot swap the actual instrument. Another option of course Is to hot swap that rack with any other Rack (any instrument or vst. Could possibly be one you make). It should still stay assigned


Hope that helps someone haha

Edit: oh, on your controller, I'd probably do this assignment on the drum pads. Make sure they are assigned to a midi channel other than that of your keyboard, and align them chromatically. Of course it is all up to you, I personally just hate their response haha. Would put them to good use

Ok, thanks for that, sounds kind of hopeful, I will have a tinker along these lines. Can't believe what a pain in the arse Ableton have made this, though - I'm tempted to just go back to using solely 3rd part VSTs, as at least I can easily set them to the right preset with a program change via scenes.

If anyone has any other suggestions please chip in! I'm amazed they advertise this app as 'LIVE' when its so clunky at basic things like this.

Does anyone know if I can set this up so that the first 8 knobs will control the macros while the rest continue to function as normal?

Yeah. As long as you have midi remote turned on in preferences.

There are two routes you can go for these knobs. Both utilize the Control Surface functionality in the midi preferences.

1. For your controller specifically, there is a script selectable in the preferences that gives you special functionality of parameters that are already tailored for use via your controller. Faders default as channel volumes, transport controls already work, and the 8 endless encoders not only act as control for the blue hand option, but your display may also show information of parameters from devices (freq hz from filter for example!). Any of the controls in this mode can be overridden by manually being mapped in midi map mode.

2. You can create your own "user remote script". There is a lot of documentation on it scattered about on this site and on the Internet. A few options for types of controls etc. It is a more 'basic' form of the above option. The advantage is that the channel and cc#s and control types can be defined by the user. In this method you Also are able to manually map anything.

Hope this helps. I can offer advice if needed

Ok, sounds like the 2nd route will suit me best, as I need to have some controls static while the others follow the blue hand. Is this possible?

Also how do I make the blue hand select the macros of the instrument that is selected by the instrument rack?

Many thanks

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2009/07/a ... s-control/

That description tutorial will work for any controller.

Get that working first. If it works, you will be able to choose a rack that is loaded, and be able to adjust the 8 macros just by moving your knobs (not having to midi map them).

Let's get that working first. Them we'll talk about controlling each instrument (actually, I explain that part above in the lengthy post )

Ok thanks, will give it a go tomorrow - gotta get some sleep!