Ableton Forum

One thing which I'm pretty unimpressed with in Ableton is the Automation layer. I can plot points(no curves) or draw a jagged, uneven line. No way to draw curves, and of course, no way to get a smooth LFO like response. Another problem is that I can't set automation stuff for effects or VST controls within the clip itself, which really sucks for live looping.

Is there any way to make an LFO and chain certain things to it, and what do I need to do?

Otherwise I'm thinking of just going over everything with my Nocturn.

Is there seriously no way to do this?

I also hate not being able to add automation in individual clips/loops. Like if I want a loop to have a part where distortion suddenly turns on then off. Ableton is a much more basic DAW that I first thought...

yeah, it pretty much sucks.

you should get Bitwig.

Tone Deft wrote:yeah, it pretty much sucks.

you should get Bitwig.

it looks vastly better. Unfortunately since my existing tracks are done in ableton, I'm kind of stuck with it It'd be extremely painful to try and export clips for use in another DAW.

bitwig isn't out yet!!

h4nc0 wrote:bitwig isn't out yet!!

whaddya mean? they announced the beta months ago!

OP - your observations have been made by many people for quite some time. at one point in time someone from Ableton posted that it would pretty much take a ground up re-write to do clip automation. as for curves, yes, it's silly they haven't implemented that. apparently they literally have a long list of feature requests printed out on the wall at Ableton HQ. surely the Ableton ex-pats cum Bitwiggers surely read and memorized (photographed?) before leaving. they know of lots of things users want and need but they can only do so much. many feel that the delay for release 9 is due to a rewrite. certainly having Bitwig as side by side competition will increase the need for them to resolve the more glaring omissions from their midi editing and clip automation. this is why some people use multiple DAWs, each has their strengths and weaknesses. they all suck.

Destroid wrote:Is there seriously no way to do this?

I also hate not being able to add automation in individual clips/loops. Like if I want a loop to have a part where distortion suddenly turns on then off. Ableton is a much more basic DAW that I first thought...

You can do this using Max For Live . There is a bag full of LFO devices in the M4L collection, and heaps more available to download from -http://www.maxforlive.com/library/index.php?tag=lfo

Otherwise, wait 2 years & get bitwig. You never know....Live 9 might be out before then.

Tone Deft wrote:

h4nc0 wrote:bitwig isn't out yet!!

whaddya mean? they announced the beta months ago!

exactly!

Curved automation is only supported in FL and Logic. LFO generator isn't offered in Live itself. You need to FR.

this your best bet...for lfos with tweak-ability and variation within Live
http://www.maxforlive.com/library/index.php?tag=lfo

also..
it's worth noting that in order to "see" vst parameters in the clip/automation envelopes..
you need to 'enable' them by hitting the 'configure' button on the vst wrapper and wiggling the controls you want to show up..
then rack up the vst and save the rack for later use
(so you don't need to 'configure' every time)..

3dot... wrote:this your best bet...for lfos with tweak-ability and variation within Live
http://www.maxforlive.com/library/index.php?tag=lfo

also..
it's worth noting that in order to "see" vst parameters in the clip/automation envelopes..
you need to 'enable' them by hitting the 'configure' button on the vst wrapper and wiggling the controls you want to show up..
then rack up the vst and save the rack for later use
(so you don't need to 'configure' every time)..

I can do that, but drawing shitty mspaint pencil tool lines to control it isn't terrible useful. I don't know how anyone thought that was a good idea, how hard would it have been to have built in LFOs?

also can I use Max Devices to do per clip automation too? I could program it based on timing maybe.

have a look for cable guys midi shaper.

Destroid wrote: I can do that, but drawing shitty mspaint pencil tool lines to control it isn't terrible useful. I don't know how anyone thought that was a good idea, how hard would it have been to have built in LFOs?

how hard.. ? I dunno...
I do know that if it did have tweakable lfos..
then the incentive for buying m4l goes down a notch..

Destroid wrote: also can I use Max Devices to do per clip automation too? I could program it based on timing maybe.

you can automate it like any Live device... so yes..

also you can use 'break-points' rather than use the 'draw tool'...