Ableton Forum

Hey guys,

Normally when using VST plugin synths I relied on a standard Midi controller keyboard for inputting notes etc, when it came to automating Midi effects (such as filter etc) I would just tweak them on the VST and then this would get recorded into Live once I had the automation record armed. That is all fine, just a bit confused now that I have a new controller keyboard which is also a synth connected via USB (M-Audio Venom). I can record Midi into Ableton, and play it back through the synth that is fine with the audio from the synth playing through a mixer channel with Live's audio on another channel.

Two questions I have are:

a) When adjusting items like filter, pitch bend and so on while playing back pre recorded Midi notes, the automation is not being recorded into Ableton. In the input settings on the Midi track I have selected 'Venom Synth In' (same settings as for when recording notes in) and in the configure section I have Track, Sync and Remote all ticked.

b) When using the finished midi track playing audio from the synth in a project will I be recording the audio from the synth back into a spare audio track on Ableton? Bit confused as to how the workflow goes as not really used to have an external synth as previously it was all VSTs for me.

Hopefully my questions make some sort of sense, very new to this side of things. Any advice much appreciated !

Thanks,
Fintan

sullen_penguin wrote:a) When adjusting items like filter, pitch bend and so on while playing back pre recorded Midi notes, the automation is not being recorded into Ableton. In the input settings on the Midi track I have selected 'Venom Synth In' (same settings as for when recording notes in) and in the configure section I have Track, Sync and Remote all ticked.

When you turn one of those knobs (say filter for example) on the Venom, do you see the orange LED flashing at the top right of the Live (small box called the "MIDI Track In Indicator")? If Live is not receiving MIDI signal from that knob it won't be able to record automation, and you need to change your MIDI preferences. If it is, and you're recording the automation data from that control, when you play it back you need to make sure your settings are correct so that Live is sending that control information back to the Venom synth (again in your MIDI preferences). Additionally, the Venom synth needs to be able to receive that MIDI data to control it's filter. You may have to refer to the manual of your synthesizer for some specifics on setup here.

sullen_penguin wrote:b) When using the finished midi track playing audio from the synth in a project will I be recording the audio from the synth back into a spare audio track on Ableton? Bit confused as to how the workflow goes as not really used to have an external synth as previously it was all VSTs for me.

Typically that is exactly what I do. If you didn't, you would have to have the synth connected with the same settings every time you played back the track. What I usually do is create the audio track, record the midi clips through the synth into the audio track, then group them together (select both track then cmnd+g). Then I have both the MIDI and audio data side by side in Session View.

You've got the right start. Typically whenever I do this sort of thing, I do exactly what you are; create MIDI clips and send them out to my synth, then record the audio on a parallel audio track. If you find that isn't working, you could try using Live's "External Instrument" device as well, it's well documented in the Live manual.

Hope that helps clear things up a bit!