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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.

Thanks mate, you answered all my questions and then some

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