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Metering on main outputs while mixing individual tracks
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 8:23 am
by FriendlyRobot
Ableton Live only allows to display plugins from a single channel selection at a time. Making viewing a metering plugin on the main outs while simultaniously mixing individual tracks impossible.. right? or am I missing something?
Anyone figured out a work around to access metering on main outs while working on individual stems? Seems odd to me there doesn't appear to be anything obvious in place catering for this..
I'm working inside a mac laptop. No external interface.
Cheers

Re: Metering on main outputs while mixing individual tracks
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2026 2:40 pm
by [jur]
Of course that's a downside of having Live's devices at the bottom of the screen in an unmovable panel.
The solution is to use 3rd party metering plugins, or M4L metering devices with a floating window option.
Re: Metering on main outputs while mixing individual tracks
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2026 2:17 am
by FriendlyRobot
Yeah, I'm using a 3rd party metering plugin already. Also, 3rd party dynamics plugins on individual channels. Not using any Live devices at the bottom of the screen. I still haven't been able to get the metering plugin on the main outs and an individual track dynamics plugin to display at the same time. As far as I can see Live does not allow you display plugins from different channels simultaneously - am I wrong about that or missing something?
Re: Metering on main outputs while mixing individual tracks
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2026 2:31 am
by scg
FriendlyRobot wrote: ↑Sat Jan 10, 2026 2:17 am
I still haven't been able to get the metering plugin on the main outs and an individual track dynamics plugin to display at the same time. As far as I can see Live does not allow you display plugins from different channels simultaneously - am I wrong about that or missing something?
You should be able to view plugins from multiple tracks at the same time, so you might check your settings. What do you have for 'Plug-Ins/Multiple Plug-In Windows'?
Re: Metering on main outputs while mixing individual tracks
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2026 4:04 am
by FriendlyRobot
Ah thank you.. That nailed it!
In the Live 12 plug-in preferences box under 'Plug-In Windows' I had all the options enabled. I've disabled 'Auto-Hide Plug-In Windows' now and can switch channels and while still displaying whatever plug-in UI's I've opened. Got my main output metering and channel dynamics up together now.
Thanks for your help guys. Very much appreciated.