Session Record using footswitch

[elemi_music]

I am running Live 12.1.5. I have Novation Launchkey for my main midi device, but since I also play guitar, I'd like to use an foot switch to trigger session record - it's difficult to work out the timing of playing my guitar to stopping the recording on a clip.

I've tried this a couple different ways: 1) using an expression pedal as the midi device and running this through my novation launchkey; the expression pedal triggers midi as shows in the top right corner of my Live screen, but when I go to do this in action, it won't start recording the clip; 2) I've used a black star live logic midi foot controller - similarly, the device is triggering midi as shows in the top right corner, but the session record button is not activating when I hit the switch i've midi mapped to session record.

Each time, the track is armed and on. Not sure what else to do here. Really hoping for some haaaallllp.

Thank you!!!

[jellybelly57]

Hello There.

I have an X-Touch controller with 2 footswitch inputs and had exactly the same desire/issues as yourself.

I managed to find a solution by using ClyphX which sits in the same folder as the other Ableton midi control surfaces. So basically once installed and put into the correct folder you can edit the script to pickup your midi note from your footswitch via your midi devices and this will fire the desired command off to Ableton. Here is the part of my script:

foot_1 = NOTE, 1, 102, REC
foot_2 = NOTE, 1, 103, SETSTOP

The foot_1 can be any name, NOTE or CC, Midi Channel, Midi Note, Command.
In my case I have 2 footswitches, The first starts or stops the recording and the second toggles the Play on/off

It seems to work for me. If you need any further help or information, please let me know.

[yur2die4]

Alternatively, keep in mind that you can also map to qwerty. This opens a lot of cheap possibilities. An example, a Bluetooth qwerty keyboard or even numpad on the floor maybe covered up in a way where your foot presses only hit specific keys.

The downside of course is that they aren’t built to be pressed by feet. But if you at least wanted a quick feel for that avenue, it is pretty inexpensive and doesn’t require having to invent ways to connect foot pedals (which can often be more fun as expression methods if supported)

[doghouse]

I successfully mapped the sustain pedal (CC#64 by default) on my controller to enable recording…BUT…since the sustain pedal is momentary, I have to keep the pedal depressed, when I release, recording stops.

You can buy latching pedals, with one of those one press would start recording, one would stop it. Here’s one from Boss, FS-5L (L for latching). The reverb on-off pedal for most guitar amps are also latching, in case you have one lying around. It just has to have a 1/4” plug to fit your Launchkey.



Using Components the sustain pedal can be remapped to any CC, moving it away from 64 woul prevent the pedal accidentally causing instruments to sustain.

In the Live 12 manual, see page 732 about mapping.

Mapping list, shows CC64 controls Record



Arrangement view, you can see recording starting and stopping by pressing and releasing the pedal