Ableton Forum

I'm starting to get into looping my guitar with Live. I've been just messing around in my home studio, but I'm trying to put together a set-up that would work live. (BTW, I have done searches in the forums and found lots of useful stuff, but not quite the advice I'm looking for.)

Equipment I currently have: guitars (duh), tube amp w/ line out and an effects loop, laptop, FCB1010. My current soundcard is a usb with only RCA inputs, so clearly it will need to be replaced (suggestions?).

I'm having trouble figuring out just what gear I should add to my collection, and how I should route everything. Here's my thinking so far, but it's kind of muddled and gives me a headache, hence the request for advice:

Guitar into an ABY--one out to amp, one to audio interface to Live. This way if Live crashes I can still make sound, also this way I can cut the amp out completely when I want to. From the laptop, I'm thinking outputs to main PA and/or a keyboard amp for drum loops/keyboard loops etc, also for guitar loops that really really don't sound like guitar. A separate out to the guitar amp's effects return.

What do I need to get to match levels? I guess some audio interfaces accept instrument-level inputs, so that takes care of the input side, but would a line-level out to the amp's return be okay?

I noticed in some of the posts regarding live looping that some people have stuck with Live3 instead of 5. Is there a consensus on which version is better?

Again, apologies if this is muddled. Anyone who wants to help me clarify my thinking, thank you in advance!

On the line level part...... I used to pre-amp, but lately I've just been
putting a utility plugin on and upping the gain 25db.... Seems to work
fine. Probably some technical reason for it not being right but works for me.

-Ben

I guess I should have said that I'm not entirely wedded to the idea of using the actual guitar amp. If it simplified things radically I'd be willing to use an amp sim. But what's the point in having a really nice tube amp (in my case, a Rivera Suprema 55) if you don't use it?

guitar rig!!!!!!!!!!!!

i USE IT AND ABUSE IT. A BIT HEAVY ON THE PROCESSING POWER SO I ROUTE IT TO ANOTHER TRACK (RESAMPLE OR CHOOSE INPUT ON THE TRACK YOUR RECORDING COMING IN FROM GUITAR RIG.)
the only thing here is your imprinting the actual effects right away sor of speak.

guitar rig also has its onw looper based on the TC electronics unit. as your trying out the looper it saves your takes individually so u can import it to live.
hope it helps

Hi
if this is any use to you:
My chain is - guitars - pedals - J-station (amp modeler) - DI - Mixer Mic in (behringer eurorack) - Main outs to speakers (or PA)

The mixer: - Aux send 1&2 - Souncard in 1&2 (M-audio Quattro USB). Soundcard outs - mixer ins.

FCB1010 - Midi in

Basically I can play guitars and hear them directly from the desk, and record or play back with the computer. Sound card has 4 outs, so I can send backin through 1&2 and other tracks (recorded guitar) through 3&4, and match levels with the original guitar channel and/or add effects.

Recommended - mixer (small one would do), amp modeler (something Pod like) and new soundcard (even soundblasters have more than 2 outs!)..

A mixer will accept both line and mic inputs, my j-station is line ( i just choo0se to DI it)..[/i]