As far as I can tell, the other two posts were regarding ways to play different synths, one at a time, based upon which note you're playing. However, regarding his question on how to play multiple synths at the SAME TIME - you got me brainstorming about this and WOW! There are so many ways to do this!!
Some of these I haven't tried yet too. I am actually a novice user just getting my feet wet with Ableton, so anytime you see a "_________", this indicates I'm not exactly sure but another member can go ahead and fill in the blank if they would like. In no particular order, here are some ways I would suggest:
* (best option): Create multiple MIDI racks, each with their own MIDI clip (patterns of notes) that controls it's own MIDI instrument. Trigger these clips at separate times or at the same time. Or trigger all / some of them at the same time buy lining them up in a horizontal row and clicking the scene launch button on the far right or the row. Plus optionally use the 2nd variation option below
* Send MIDI notes from one rack to multiple racks, each containing its own synth (the same synth with different settings, or a whole other synth). This can be done with selecting the midi input channel on each rack to the midi out of the track you're sending it to _________
+ variation: insert a MIDI input delay like latency delay before any of the synths the synths are not all
triggered at the same time on each note. I'm not sure if Ableton has a utility as such but probably
there is a VST solution for this, or with Bidule _________
+ variation: place VST effects at the end of any of the synths, allowing further 'awesomeization' of the
synth sound (useful types: phaser, flanger, distortion, chorus)
* Use combinations of organic and synthetic synths. Organic may not be the right term, but there's a type of synth such as when you play audio through Sampler and use its audio source as a synth either as-is, or by looping a tiny fragment which works like an oscillitor, which you could use on one or more separate racks at the same time, and have other traditional synthetic synths on other racks, using either of the above methods
* Play multiple synths at the same time through one instance of Bidule VST, inserted into a rack on Ableton. (basic parallel and some series schematic knowledge required to set up other VSTs and VSTi's (vst synth's) with its virtual cables within this VST host.
+ variation: set up MIDI delays before any of VSTi's
+ variation: Play the synths in Bidule on one rack on Ableton, at the same time as other synths in other racks of Ableton
+ Variation: (see variation 1 towards top)
+ Variation: (see variation 2 towards top)
* Randomly generated MIDI notes one some synths: using any of the methods above to play simultaneous synths, insert a random MIDI note generator plugin before some of the synths. Ableton may have a utility like this or their may be other VSTs that can do this _________
On a final note, I MUST impart this mastering tip: ALWAYS make sure NOT too many racks/channels/instruments are are outputting audio to the same part of the frequency spectrum. Give each audio signal at least a little variation (higher or lower pitch) so you're not making the bass or other sounds sound too muddy / cluttered. Work with the whole frequency, giving 'headroom' so the user can hear 'instrument separation' and the mastering person can have more room to add more sound layers.
