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Ableton Live 7 - Use to DJ at home?

Hey there. I've never used Ableton Live 7 or anything, but I was wondering if it can be used to play MP3s at home and make mixes with? I know DJs like Sasha use it to remix/edit on the fly, but I have no idea how to do any of that stuff. I'm just wondering if this software would make it easy to mix MP3s to record some mixes and things like that?

Also, how "hard" is it to learn how to remix and edit on the fly using this software and no additional hardware?

As far as hardware and "software" I have a Xone 92 and two Technics... and I have MP3s from Beatport. I assume the files I get from iTunes wont work??? Can I use these file types?

I'm a complete n00b when it comes to Ableton so sorry if these questions seem foolish. I'm just trying to learn a little bit about the software before I make the purchase.

Re: Ableton Live 7 - Use to DJ at home?

quote:

Originally posted by keithos27 Hey there. I've never used Ableton Live 7 or anything, but I was wondering if it can be used to play MP3s at home and make mixes with? I know DJs like Sasha use it to remix/edit on the fly, but I have no idea how to do any of that stuff. I'm just wondering if this software would make it easy to mix MP3s to record some mixes and things like that?

Yes

quote:

Also, how "hard" is it to learn how to remix and edit on the fly using this software and no additional hardware?

Hard at first, I suggest Youtube + Manual + Google.

quote:

As far as hardware and "software" I have a Xone 92 and two Technics... and I have MP3s from Beatport. I assume the files I get from iTunes wont work??? Can I use these file types?

Don't think so, Wouldn't have a clue actually.

quote:

I'm a complete n00b when it comes to Ableton so sorry if these questions seem foolish. I'm just trying to learn a little bit about the software before I make the purchase.

Why you would make the purchase with a pair of techs and Xone is beyond me.. Id personally go for CDJs first than Live.. But i prefer that over the digital mouse clicking 'mixing' and can't afford a Nuo5 yet.

Good luck and study hard to learn more about Live.

Thanks for the answers!

I know I've got some kick ass hardware... I still suck at it though.

As far as why I'm interested in software like this (I already have Serato Scratch Live) is because I'd like to do these things while I'm traveling with my laptop and not have to worry about being in front of the hardware.

I'm obviously not a professional DJ or anything... I'm just looking to learn something new, maybe learn some cool tricks along the way, and make some mixes for me and my friends. I'm very intrigued by the student discount for Live...

BTW, what hardware do I need to use this for DJing... Both at home (where my Xone and Technics are) and on the road? I have a MacBook Pro.

To Dj with Ableton you basically need:

1. to pre-warp songs. warping a track is where you map the beats of the track, so ableton can slave the bpm to a master bpm. this means ableton controls the bpm for you, so you don't have to beatmatch, but you'll have to spend some time setting points in tracks.

2. an external soundcard (if you want to cue). you could use your xone 92 mixer sound card for this

3. a midi controller is preferred. this will control most of the things you do on the screen. you can also use your xone 92 for this, probably not the best midi controller, but at least you won't have to buy anything else.

4. a laptop running ableton (your macbook)

5. the songs in digital format. such as: .flac, .wav, .mp3 et cetera. obviously these will have to be accessible to your laptop whether saved on the hard drive or on an external flash usb or external hard drive.

Check out the FAQs on this forum for more information:

http://www.abletonlivedj.com/forum/

so basically you need a laptop, a sound card and a midi controller.

you can either buy a sound card + midi controller or buy a midi controller that has an integrated sound card (such as your xone 92).

example of a sound card - motu ultralight:

http://www.pcworld.it/blogs/noteboo...u-ultralite.jpg

example of a midi controller - vcm-600:

http://img141.**************/my.php?...cm600topwy5.jpg

example of a midi + sound - korg zero 8:

http://www.music-west.com/images/KORGZERO8-B.jpg

quote:

Originally posted by jayxthekoolest you can either buy a sound card + midi controller or buy a midi controller that has an integrated sound card (such as your xone 92).

xone:92 doesn't have an integrated sound card and the midi functions on it are very limited as well.

Ok I've got to say it...

If you have no idea how to mix, "remixing on the fly" isn't for you... at least yet....

Learn the basics then go from there. Sasha isn't doing any more than most DJ's are doing... many with regular DJ gear. And I love his sets...

quote:

Originally posted by Ryan0751 Ok I've got to say it... If you have no idea how to mix, "remixing on the fly" isn't for you... at least yet.... Learn the basics then go from there. Sasha isn't doing any more than most DJ's are doing... many with regular DJ gear. And I love his sets...

I actually read in an interview that Sasha thought he put together better sets when he didn't remix on the fly. I think it was posted in the music discussion section recently.

However, he did say he enjoyed being able to easily loop sections of tracks, lengthen parts of tracks et cetera.

I guess its a trade off really. Ableton offers limitless possibilies, but that seems to make it harder to put together good sets.

Personally, I like the portability of DJing with Ableton (no vinyls/cds and no decks) but I so far don't really enjoy DJing with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryan0751 Ok I've got to say it... If you have no idea how to mix, "remixing on the fly" isn't for you... at least yet.... Learn the basics then go from there. Sasha isn't doing any more than most DJ's are doing... many with regular DJ gear. And I love his sets...

Well then maybe you should re-read what I posted before:

"I know I've got some kick ass hardware... I still suck at it though.

As far as why I'm interested in software like this (I already have Serato Scratch Live) is because I'd like to do these things while I'm traveling with my laptop and not have to worry about being in front of the hardware.

I'm obviously not a professional DJ or anything... I'm just looking to learn something new, maybe learn some cool tricks along the way, and make some mixes for me and my friends. I'm very intrigued by the student discount for Live..."

If you just wanna mix at home for fun why not use Traktor. Ableton needs preparation and it might not be worth it if you are only gonna mix at home.

quote:

Originally posted by spolitta If you just wanna mix at home for fun why not use Traktor. Ableton needs preparation and it might not be worth it if you are only gonna mix at home.

depends on how you define 'mixing'

I've made the plunge and got Ableton Live 7.

I believe I will need an external audio interface as well to be able to cue and have a stereo mix. I am using a MacBook Pro. What seems to be the most reliable external audio interface for my system? Motu? RME? Others?

Thanks,
Keith

PS. I'm trying to keep it cheap... So like $300 or less.

Hey Keith - if you wanna stop by FAB tomorrow night, I'll bring my ableton setup and show you the ins and outs. I use it with the Audio 8 DJ and my macbook hooked up to a djm-800. I sometimes use it when I need a break during those six hour sets I do on Tuesdays.

Cool mate... sending you a PM now.

quote:

Originally posted by jupiterone depends on how you define 'mixing'

OK You Win! No wait is there more than one way to define mixing?

quote:

Originally posted by spolitta OK You Win! No wait is there more than one way to define mixing?

That depends on what your definition of "is" is.

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