Ableton Forum

What is the deal with being so behind with midi editing? Not even a split notes/cut tool? I've gotta pony up coin to buy a MFL add-on just to do that (I don't like wrappers if at all possible)

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy and I can work around it, but unless I'm missing something, it's so behind. It's just really surprising.

I think it's probably just an "it is what it is" kind of thing. When I'm using Logic I miss things from Ableton (arbitrary track grouping depth, device racks, etc.), and when I'm using Ableton I miss things from Logic (MIDI editing capabilities, flex pitch, etc.). But, I'm slowly learning just to appreciate each tool for what it has to offer

No, at this point in time you are right, but still

scg wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 27, 2023 9:02 pm

I think it's probably just an "it is what it is" kind of thing.

No, it isn't. This is a feature Request Forum, lol
Abletons Midi Editing functions could be WAY better and faster, and it's wonderful to ask for Ableton to change, and it would be wonderful if Ableton would listen. There are several Feature requests for better Editing in the beta forum for several years, so this isn't a niche-request.

Changing from DAW to DAW just because some fundamental basic Midi Editing functions are missing and you're 30% faster in the other DAW is a great reason for a Feature request. It doesnt take much to implement better Midi Editing, and it makes sense to implement it.

Rootxp wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 30, 2023 3:30 pm

No, it isn't. This is a feature Request Forum, lol

Fair point I'm just being realistic about when we might be able to expect such changes. All I meant is that it is what it is 'right now', and in the meantime we have to use the tools available to us as effectively as we can. (For the record, I lobby for change just like everyone else - I've just learned to be more sanguine about dealing with bugs and missing features while we all wait for changes to occur.)

I just think it's odd. CLEARLY, midi is something that most everyone uses.

I've looked at the "M4L" add on but it's a bit pricey considering that it doesn't look like you can try it first. Also, being a wrapper, looks a little cumbersome to load. Actually, I can't remember what site that is and there seems to be some overlap into which one you should actually get.

It's been a while since I've used Live, but back when it was my Riker, I had terrible luck with M4L.

Having used the program since the early days, coming from logic, I think we can expect better midi functionality from Ableton: never. That's not smug but just realistic. It's not a priority for them. I've always gotten the impression that the devs consider midi something outdated that will be going away any day now. Which, while I'd love that to happen, that's not reality. They're very Apple-like in their opaque stubbornness to give the user base what is wanted. I'm sure it's also a delicate balance of not changing too much so as to alienate portions of their users.

That being said, Ableton still is super easy to just record or drop in some audio files and get going very quickly. But if you have hardware to sequence, the midi editing portion of program can really slow you down and frustrate.

I haven't even decided whether I'll ever upgrade from 10 to 11. I'll stick around and see what they have in store for 12. They'd better have some fresh ideas on the table, that's for sure. A lot of people have moved on.

I agree that it's not likely at this point that they will ever implement anything useful (especially considering that "hey pay for something else M4L" is around.

But, since this is a wishlist, I thought I'd say something.

I moved back to live (not as my one and only mind you) because it's just too much fun and FAR more creative. I can always put all that in Studio One and get mo' "geeky" if I want. It's really fine for now because again, I was too anal with S1 and not really being musical. So, I'll work around it.

chris harbin wrote: ↑

Sun Apr 02, 2023 10:41 pm

"hey pay for something else M4L"

Your signature says that you have Suite, in which case you already have M4L.

The only reason to pay anything more would be for the 'crossgrade' to a full Max license, which you are unlikely to need for working within Live. That said, a quick comparison of M4L, which you have, and full Max is here: https://cycling74.com/products/crossgrade.

Regarding your comment about M4L being a 'wrapper' of some kind, I'm not really sure what you mean by that. I would describe M4L as a 'connector' that allows you to use (almost) the full powers of Max within Live, including (but most definitely not limited to!) being able to control many aspects of Live itself: https://www.ableton.com/en/live/max-for-live/.

Max, on the other hand, is a music (and video) programming environment that has been around far, far longer than Live: https://cycling74.com/products/max.

Let's just say that if you find Live to be fun and creative, you might not want to dismiss Max for Live so casually – especially given that you already have that M4L license.

ecuk wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 03, 2023 12:51 am

Your signature says that you have Suite, in which case you already have M4L.

What I mean is that IF you want the "extra" midi goodies, you have to buy M4L add ons. I can't find the link to that dudes site, but it's like 42 bucks and it looks like it's a bit cumbersome and there is no way to try it and see if you like it.

Might be really cool, but not right now.

Fair enough. One creative adventure at a time… And Live, with its idiosyncrasies, is definitely an adventure

Oh, I have my adventure hat on full time

Again, lovin' it.

Once again. I find the MIDI editing quite clever and more than adequate--once you're used to it. There are tricks. But yes, if CMD/CTRL+E splits clips, it should also split notes.

jonljacobi wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 12, 2023 1:48 am

Once again. I find the MIDI editing quite clever and more than adequate--once you're used to it. There are tricks. But yes, if CMD/CTRL+E splits clips, it should also split notes.

CTRL+E doesn't seem to do anything here. I'll look into it further.

chris harbin wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 13, 2023 7:04 pm

jonljacobi wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 12, 2023 1:48 am

Once again. I find the MIDI editing quite clever and more than adequate--once you're used to it. There are tricks. But yes, if CMD/CTRL+E splits clips, it should also split notes.

CTRL+E doesn't seem to do anything here. I'll look into it further.

Just to be clear, control/command-E doesn't currently split notes (to the best of my knowledge at least). Not speaking for other posters, but I think the argument being made in the thread is that although it doesn't, it'd be good if it did.