Ableton Forum

is it possible (or will it be in the future) to select tracks/devices by using the sl's automap so I won't have to reach for my mouse every time I want to edit an other instrument/effect on the sl?

you can program the Zero SL so that it's part-automap, part-manual.

then assign a few buttons on the manual side of things to select Track 1, 2, etc.

however, this will still not select the devices in the track.
it's been talked about in the past actually, no go here.

what Ableton needs is a MIDI assignable feature that scrolls through the devices of a selected track.

hence,
1) putton button X to select Track X
2) use knob to scroll through list of devices
3) automap will map Zero SL encoders (etc) to the last selected device in (2) above.

then assign a few buttons on the manual side of things to select Track 1, 2, etc.

I know , but this will only work if the tracks already exist ... bummer

mr-e wrote:

then assign a few buttons on the manual side of things to select Track 1, 2, etc.

I know , but this will only work if the tracks already exist ... bummer

that's why you make a setup with all your assignments and save them to the default template, so every time you start Live, they're there.

It doesn't take long to assign stuff all over again, I have a BCR midi setup with every single encoder and button assigned, it takes ~5 minutes to assign them all at a casual pace, plus you get better at it the more you do it.

hehe I know, if only I had a consistent way of creating songs ... I might start with 5 audiotracks , add a midi track , delete 3 of the audio tracks , resample the whole thing on a new track , slice it and put the slices in an impulse deleting all previous tracks ... maybe what I need is a whole computerkeyboard put into the SL , add a flatscreen and trackball ... or break open my SL and force all the rotaries , sliders and keys into my laptop

I'm the exact same way, so I use automap as I develop a set, then when it solidifies I start assigning my home brewed midi mapped stuff to the set.

mr-e wrote:maybe what I need is a whole computerkeyboard put into the SL , add a flatscreen and trackball ... or break open my SL and force all the rotaries , sliders and keys into my laptop

What about using the SL's X/Y touchpad to control the mouse pointer? I'm thinking more for live performance use- the less I touch (or even look at) my laptop, the better. I've only had my SL for a day, still reading the PDF so I don't know jack. But I do think it'd be a big oversight if there's no way to use the trackpad as a cursor...

bradelectro wrote:

mr-e wrote:maybe what I need is a whole computerkeyboard put into the SL , add a flatscreen and trackball ... or break open my SL and force all the rotaries , sliders and keys into my laptop

What about using the SL's X/Y touchpad to control the mouse pointer? I'm thinking more for live performance use- the less I touch (or even look at) my laptop, the better. I've only had my SL for a day, still reading the PDF so I don't know jack. But I do think it'd be a big oversight if there's no way to use the trackpad as a cursor...

it can be done but just because it looks like a mousepad doesn't make it a mouse pad. you might as well be asking how to control the mouse with two encoders, same exact thing.

maybe with something like bomes it could be done.

but if you're going to use a touchpad, why not just use the touchpad on your laptop, or get one for $20 for a desktop, or use a mouse.

mr-e wrote:is it possible (or will it be in the future) to select tracks/devices by using the sl's automap so I won't have to reach for my mouse every time I want to edit an other instrument/effect on the sl?

I bumped into what looks like a quick way of selecting devices in sl with automap, I believe.

Select and deselect automap's track-arm button for track that already has a device/instr loaded. Device/track gets selected and device parameters get loaded into sl left screen ready for editing the device/instr.
This does not work for other tracks without device/instr.

I am using version 2 OS for my sl zero.

>it can be done but just because it looks like a mousepad doesn't make it a mouse pad. you might as well be asking how to control the mouse with two encoders, same exact thing.
You could use it to control X,Y coordinates, yes, that's exactly what I'm asking it to do. To your point, you probably couldn't control tracking speed or use it for clicks, and it wouldn't be the ideal mousing tool. Besides, I've already decided to control my VF-1 with mine- way more fun.

>maybe with something like bomes it could be done.
Oh man don't make me google...

>but if you're going to use a touchpad, why not just use the touchpad on your laptop, or get one for $20 for a desktop, or use a mouse.
Dude, in my scene, laptops are basically not cool for livesets. You're either all hardware or you play records, and I'm def. already catching flak for switching to s/w so the less obvious I am, the better. Anyway ever try to use a mouse when you're setup next to a big warehouse rig? You can't even see the pointer much less use it b/c the low end shakes the f*ck out of the display.

People use their equipment in MILLIONS of different ways. Just cos it may not be the way you use it, doesn't make it any less valid. If someone posts up a question about using the joystick to launch scenes, then so be it. It may sound ridiculous to most of us, but it makes sense to the other guy I'm sure. That's the beauty of s/w- it's so versatile and hackable it's awesome!

http://www.bome.com/midi/translator/

sorry about the flak you catch in the scene, shove some fat beats down their earholes, snap their necks!

I use an optical usb wireless mouse, I can use it on a chair, my hand, anywhere. there's also options for turning PS2 controllers into controls for Live.

cool, sounds like you know what's up.

Tone Deft wrote:sorry about the flak you catch in the scene, shove some fat beats down their earholes, snap their necks!

LOL, yes! Thanx man. I'm going half-lappy, half-hardware (outboard mixer, efx and synths) so at least I'm still half underground/hardcore/whateva, ha. TBH, I'm so stoked to get my rig up and get out there with new trax and ways of playing 'em, I don't really mind if a few old school types get upset I'm using a laptop.

I've seen that PSP controller for Live- now THAT'S some cool sh*t! Thanx for the Bome's Midi Translator link.

Anyway I'm not trying to hijack this thread- let's keep talking SL tech. I'm just jealous cos I won't be able to touch mine til tomorrow nite...I'm just sitting here reading the manual and this forum and taking notes.

slzero wrote:

mr-e wrote:is it possible (or will it be in the future) to select tracks/devices by using the sl's automap so I won't have to reach for my mouse every time I want to edit an other instrument/effect on the sl?

I bumped into what looks like a quick way of selecting devices in sl with automap, I believe.

Select and deselect automap's track-arm button for track that already has a device/instr loaded. Device/track gets selected and device parameters get loaded into sl left screen ready for editing the device/instr.
This does not work for other tracks without device/instr.

I am using version 2 OS for my sl zero.

mr-e, let me know after you check this out if that's what you were after..thx

slzero wrote:
mr-e wrote:
is it possible (or will it be in the future) to select tracks/devices by using the sl's automap so I won't have to reach for my mouse every time I want to edit an other instrument/effect on the sl?


I bumped into what looks like a quick way of selecting devices in sl with automap, I believe.

Select and deselect automap's track-arm button for track that already has a device/instr loaded. Device/track gets selected and device parameters get loaded into sl left screen ready for editing the device/instr.
This does not work for other tracks without device/instr.

I am using version 2 OS for my sl zero.


mr-e, let me know after you check this out if that's what you were after..thx

hmm , I'll try that tonight , if it works it would be a doable workaround , thx

woww , thx slzero , works great !!!