Ableton Forum

Hi Folks,

I'm sorry if this is a dumb/repetitive question, but I didn't see it mentioned anywhere.

Is there any way to record live automation in session view? For example: I'm jamming live and I want to throw in a filter sweep over a set of guitar loops to give them a nice wah. So I drop a HP filter in and use the mouse to make it wah while everything's still playing. After a couple of bars I'd like it to start repeating the automation I've just done. How can I make it do this? I know this can be done with clip envelopes, but then I have to draw the automation curves in by hand, whereas I would like to be able to do all of this spontaneously in session view.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

PS - I'm using Live 6 on the PC

sorry, not possible.

http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic. ... automation

it's been discussed for years, but the solution is .. complex.
I'm hoping for Live7, but not holding my breath.

Thanks! I guess I just need to give up then. Sad really. At least I'm no longer thinking that it's me doing something wrong (note to Ableton: you really ought to mention that this is not possible somewhere in the manual, it's an almost inevitable question for anyone trying to improvise...)

there are two workarounds:

1: use VST instruments and Effects, use their own midi learn which is on their own GUI, hardware controls assigned to midi CCs inside a VSTi are recorded in session

2: use a virtual midi port such as LoopBE on the pc, or IAC on the mac.


both of these workarounds relate to using hardware controllers with live session. Ableton have loosely mentioned that they will look at the issue, but there is no indication of if and when any potential fix will be implemented.

Right now I think the best method is to use midi control envelopes assigned to VSTs rather than Abletons automation envelopes assigned to ableton devices.

Is it not possible to record your live tweaks into the "Arrange" page, then select the section you wish to keep and drag it as a selection of clips into the session view?

jacob_ma wrote:Is it not possible to record your live tweaks into the "Arrange" page, then select the section you wish to keep and drag it as a selection of clips into the session view?

You have to actually use the cut envelope function and paste. The tweaks (envelopes) in the arrange won't automatically be carried over when bringing a clip from arrange to session, but you can bring the clip, then cut the envelope and paste it in the clip in session.

Best,
AB