Ableton Forum

Live exports MIDI files with a resolution of 96 ppq, which means a 16th note can be divided into 24 steps. All MIDI events are shifted to this grid accordingly when exported. You might notice that the position of MIDI information, like note and controller events, has changed when exporting to MIDI files.

pottering wrote: ↑

Sun Feb 19, 2023 11:24 pm

https://help.ableton.com/hc/en-us/artic ... MIDI-files

Live exports MIDI files with a resolution of 96 ppq, which means a 16th note can be divided into 24 steps. All MIDI events are shifted to this grid accordingly when exported. You might notice that the position of MIDI information, like note and controller events, has changed when exporting to MIDI files.

16 x 24 is 256.

yur2die4 wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 04, 2023 2:56 pm

Is it possible to work in a different tempo or time signature?

RobrechtV wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 06, 2023 2:25 pm

The suggestion of a different tempo or time signature was probably prompted by the fact that working on a 1/512 grid is quite extreme. In order for such minuscule differences to be audible, I imagine you must be entering very fast notes into a very slow tempo?

Of course we have no idea what you are trying to achieve. If you're not aware that you are doing anything extreme, you should probably look into choosing a better combination of tempo and time signature for your project. It's no use trying to create a track with a 240 bpm feel on a 30 bpm grid and then bumping into the limitations of the system if everything would work so much better using the appropriate bpm to begin with.

However, if your 1/512 grid is a conscious choice, for instance because you want to push the boundaries of Western music notation or you are simply very particular about your timing, then your point about artistic freedom is valid. Live's MIDI export functionality has a couple of frustrating limitations and could definitely benefit from more options.