Ableton Forum

I am a MIDI novice, and have a question for some experts.

I have a Evolution UC-33e controller for DJing. I understand that MIDI works by assigning number values to the various positions of the faders and/or sliders. The numbers range from 0 - 127.... so 128 possible positions are reported to the computer.

Considering a volume slider... The top of the sliders range is a 127. To Live, a slider moved to position 127 represents a volume on a track being pushed to the max setting. Often, this results in a clipped signal.... depending obviously on the audio source being used. (ie a loud recording will clip sooner than one that's been recorded at low level)

So, when I use the volume faders in Live, I tend to not push them all the way to the top... to prevent clipping.'

Before I used Live, I used an Allen & Heath Xone 62 mixer at home. When using the mixer, I always ran my volume sliders at max. I would prefer to use my MIDI controller this way. But, again, I don't want to clip my signals.

Is it possible to set my MIDI controller and/or software so that when I move a slider to the max position, the Live software doesn't move the volume to the top of it's range? Maybe it's possible to limit the MIDI output number being delivered by my controller.... or maybe there is some setting on the computer software that can set a max range for volume, similar to setting a range for Master Tempo?

Any help is appreciated. I hope my question makes sense.

It is possible, but I don't know how. Check out the midi config and your manual.

There's also a simple 2-step hack that i thought up that will also work. 1) figure out the physical position of the fader on the controller that corresponds to the fader in live's mixer being equal to that little line thing that symbolizes 0dB. Put a piece of tape across the faders so it doesn't move higher than that. Then, it's just a matter of setting your gains correctly and ignoring the fact that your faders are a bit shorter (you shouldn't lose much).

I put an extra gain control into the track's filter chain. So it's more or less how a "real" mixer works, a volume slider with a gain pot above it. If sound clips you'll just have to decrease on the gain, not the volume.

There should have been software included with your Evolution controller that allows you to change the range of the numbers on your slide faders. It's just a matter of programming your controller to your personal settings instead of the default. Go to M-Audio's website if you don't have your install disc and download the software there.

I have a UC33e, the software is called enigma - and it wont allow you to change the parameters of the knobs and sliders, they are always 0-127

it does on the trigger finger but it doesn't on the UC33e

live 5 however has (one of the best features i've found) 3 options that appear when you click the 'midi' button to assign a controller, it lets you specify the minimum and maximum of the control, and also the type of control. This was a very pleasant surprise let me tell you.

So, get live 5 when it comes out

mo

or just put a -6dB utility effect on each channel. Then 127 *is* 0dB.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have Enigma, and did learn that what I wanted was not possible with it.


The best plan sounds like Live 5 upgrade, once it gets here. Since I just bought Live 4, I get Live 5 for free... so that's a no brainer.

Out of curiosity, how close are we getting to Live 5 release?