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Previewing Function with Ableton?
Ok I have a dilema now, I'm thinking of switching up my equipment a little, is it a good idea to plug my headphones directly into my laptop in order to cue/fire off the next track/clip? Will that work properly...
Calling all Appletr0ners 
It would help to know what type of equiptment you have first. Then the picture might become more clear.
Problem solved I think, via external soundcard.
I plan to be using a MIDI DJ console (X-session or something of that sort) in addition to a trigger finger/BCR2000. I believe with an external soundcard with a few stereo outputs Ill be able to get the job done.
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| Originally posted by Alex Problem solved I think, via external soundcard. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Polt THat will do it. I asked me question because I wasn;t sure if you had one yet or what other egar you had. |
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| Originally posted by Alex Well I think I might give this setup a try... X-session pro (DJ MIXER/MIDI CONTROLLER) BCR2000 (MIDI Controller) Macbook + Ableton Live Trigger Finger (MIDI Controller) How, do you think, I should go about setting this up with an external soundcard etc etc? In fact, mid aswell add me on MSN if you use it, since explaining it in 900 billion posts probably isnt the best idea. my email: [email protected] |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Alex X-session pro (DJ MIXER/MIDI CONTROLLER) BCR2000 (MIDI Controller) Macbook + Ableton Live Trigger Finger (MIDI Controller) |
I actually already have most of that equipment, minus the X-session, so the money was spent a longtime ago.
The BCR will probably be retired from service actually, while Ill most likely be using only the X-session + the trigger finger for firing clips off, aswell as using the wikkid response on it for beatrepeat etc etc.
And ya I know the X-session is a midi controller, well its the X-session pro, it looks like a Mixer but controls midi, so ya, thus the "DJ mixer/Midi controller" I dubbed it.
There are two basic configurations you can choose from when setting up Ableton (and from there, it's all up to you!):
1. Use one or more MIDI controllers to control everything in ableton, including mixing, firing clips and loops, etc. You'd probably want to have a 4xoutput (2 stereo pair) soundcard with a headphone jack so you can "cue".
Benefits:
- All your mixing is being done in ableton, and you can route
audio in any way you like with the software.
- Everything you do will be "recordable" as events (automation)
in Ableton, so you can go back and edit what you did.
Problems:
- Midi controllers are not setup for DJ'ing! In general they
are very cheap, not laid out in a DJ friendly way, and the
controls don't work like they should (ie, an EQ knob having
a detent at zero). The exceptions to this: A Xone:3D (super
expensive but very nice for Ableton), or the DJM-800
(less expensive, but still doesn't have enough control/audio
input options to be ideal). This is why Sasha had the Maven
controller built.
- No easy way to integrate your existing turntables/CDJ's.
2. Use one or more MIDI controllers to trigger clips, tweak effects, etc...
BUT use a multi-channel soundcard (2-4 Stereo outputs) to output Ableton into a standard DJ mixer.
Benefits:
- You are mixing ON A MIXER 
If you have a nice mixer, this
is key.
- Easy integration with existing setup and decks.
Problems:
- Anything you do on the mixer will not be recordable as an
action in Ableton.
- Audio routing is limited to the number of channels you have on
your soundcard.
I chose method 2, as I have a Xone 92 and I like mixing on it. The feel of my MIDI controllers leaves a LOT to be desired. I have 4 stereo outs going into the Xone. I use channels 1-3 as "ableton decks", and channel 4 for cue'ing and the a and b effects return.
I then use a Trigger Finger to trigger clips and manipulate effects. Only just getting into this, but so far I don't feel constrained by this setup at all.
hmmm if you have a fast enough computer...I believe you could have one track armed to recording from your mixer's record out, directly into ableton...as audio though...so you wont be able to change anything later (but it should be good enough for recording gigs)
if you don't understand above...
record out of mixer -> soundcard input -> ableton track (with selected input and being armed to record
then you propably could just push record and have it recording ... not sure if it works though...I haven'T tried it
That's exactly how I have it setup.
When I said "recording", I only mean recording "actions" and MIDI information, not recording the audio.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by BOOsTER hmmm if you have a fast enough computer...I believe you could have one track armed to recording from your mixer's record out, directly into ableton...as audio though...so you wont be able to change anything later (but it should be good enough for recording gigs) if you don't understand above... record out of mixer -> soundcard input -> ableton track (with selected input and being armed to record then you propably could just push record and have it recording ... not sure if it works though...I haven'T tried it |
ups sorry :-)
glad it works and that I haven't posted a total nonsense heheh
Actually I'm not recording into ableton... haven't tried that yet. I record into sound studio in the background, that seems to work just fine too.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by BOOsTER ups sorry :-) glad it works and that I haven't posted a total nonsense heheh |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Ryan0751 There are two basic configurations you can choose from when setting up Ableton (and from there, it's all up to you!): 1. Use one or more MIDI controllers to control everything in ableton, including mixing, firing clips and loops, etc. You'd probably want to have a 4xoutput (2 stereo pair) soundcard with a headphone jack so you can "cue". Benefits: - All your mixing is being done in ableton, and you can route audio in any way you like with the software. - Everything you do will be "recordable" as events (automation) in Ableton, so you can go back and edit what you did. Problems: - Midi controllers are not setup for DJ'ing! In general they are very cheap, not laid out in a DJ friendly way, and the controls don't work like they should (ie, an EQ knob having a detent at zero). The exceptions to this: A Xone:3D (super expensive but very nice for Ableton), or the DJM-800 (less expensive, but still doesn't have enough control/audio input options to be ideal). This is why Sasha had the Maven controller built. - No easy way to integrate your existing turntables/CDJ's. 2. Use one or more MIDI controllers to trigger clips, tweak effects, etc... BUT use a multi-channel soundcard (2-4 Stereo outputs) to output Ableton into a standard DJ mixer. Benefits: - You are mixing ON A MIXER If you have a nice mixer, this is key. - Easy integration with existing setup and decks. Problems: - Anything you do on the mixer will not be recordable as an action in Ableton. - Audio routing is limited to the number of channels you have on your soundcard. I chose method 2, as I have a Xone 92 and I like mixing on it. The feel of my MIDI controllers leaves a LOT to be desired. I have 4 stereo outs going into the Xone. I use channels 1-3 as "ableton decks", and channel 4 for cue'ing and the a and b effects return. I then use a Trigger Finger to trigger clips and manipulate effects. Only just getting into this, but so far I don't feel constrained by this setup at all. |
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