Ableton Forum

All i want to do is play a track in ableton, send the audo to an external effect device like a compressor or filter, then send the audio back to ableton and record. I have spent HOURS trying to figure this out. There is no possible way to do it without getting feedback(flanging/phasing and ear piercing sounds). I have tried every possible routing configuration, im lost. I am using an Emu 1820 audiodock and its patchbay program to route the audio to the effect device and back.

I have tried everything in my ability to avoid feedback loops, but they keep appearing...i need major help!

Hi,

You've got multiple outputs on your board right ?
If it is the case, here is what you need to do:
set the output of the track you want to put the effect on to extout: 3-4, for exemple. Set the track 3-4 not to be monitored in your PA (should be possible in your soundcard mixer), then you won't hear the track, but it will output on 3-4. Then plug the physical outs 3-4 of your soundcard in the inputs of your external effect, plug the outputs of you fx into input 1-2 of your soundcard, set an audio track in live, input 1-2, output Master, clic the monitor in button, you should hear the return of your fx through the Master track, with no feedback.
Will it work ?
Best,
amo

my dock has 3 pairs of audio ins and outs. thats not a problem. but in the configuration, these outputs dont show. I can only get ableton to send audio out through asio.

why don't you simply use the send/return in the EMU patchmix DSP application? make sure you mute the monitoring though, that's what creates the "double sound"

Olaf

emansami wrote:my dock has 3 pairs of audio ins and outs. thats not a problem. but in the configuration, these outputs dont show. I can only get ableton to send audio out through asio.

In Live preferences, audio pane, you can click on outputs and then activate all the outputs for your sound card. Then in Live session view, make sur the routing view is on, (view/routing), then you should be able to use different outputs.

i have no idea whats going on. this is very weird. i send audio to my compressor and then send it back. when i do this, the compressor only works on bypass, when active there is no sound!!!! however, if i disconnect the audio cables from the compressor outputs, neither the compressor, nor the bypass work. THIS MAKES NO SENSE!!! I tried it with both of my compressors(same model) and they both do this! Is it because the feedback loop is so strong that the compressor refuses to work, therefore it only works in bypass mode? im boggled out of my mind, if tried sending and returning and muting. nothing works.

is there anybody who has ableton and patchmix DSP that can get it to work. PLEASE explain exactly how i can do this(send audio to hardware and back and record in ableton while monitoring without feedback)

emansami wrote:my dock has 3 pairs of audio ins and outs. thats not a problem. but in the configuration, these outputs dont show. I can only get ableton to send audio out through asio.

hey emansani, you need to enable these extra outputs for it to work. You'll need output 1+2 for monitoring, and at least one extra out to be able to send to the processor, and an available input to receive within live. So for instance, if you want to compress a track, send that to output 3+4 instead of Master, and set up a new audio track in Live, call it "Input" or something, and set monitor to on, and input to be input 1+2. Send the compressor back to this track.

So you'll need to enable some more outs, mate.

Machinate wrote:

emansami wrote:my dock has 3 pairs of audio ins and outs. thats not a problem. but in the configuration, these outputs dont show. I can only get ableton to send audio out through asio.

hey emansani, you need to enable these extra outputs for it to work. You'll need output 1+2 for monitoring, and at least one extra out to be able to send to the processor, and an available input to receive within live. So for instance, if you want to compress a track, send that to output 3+4 instead of Master, and set up a new audio track in Live, call it "Input" or something, and set monitor to on, and input to be input 1+2. Send the compressor back to this track.

So you'll need to enable some more outs, mate.

Exactly what I said, but much clearer !
Sadly, our mate's problems seem to be far beyond the routing. The bypass thing is quite weird...

I think it's very closely related to the amount of available outputs

GOT IT TO WORK!!! THANKS A LOT GUYS!