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Check it out' - Ableton/DJ (tutorial)
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| WirelessEyes |
Hey,
This is a small "tutorial" for people interested Dj'ing with Ableton Live. I used traditional turntable and CD technology for six years, but a year ago - I made the switch to Ableton Live. A big interest to me (and a concern to others) is keeping the "DJ feel" in a laptop environment. I established a super basic set up - but gives me an amazing hands on feel... after my shows, alot of people ask me how I do it.
I thouhgt I share it with TA.
Rig:
Powerbook g4 - Ableton 5.2
M-Audio 02
M-Audio Trigger Finer
MOTU Traveller
Extarnal HD (small)
DJ Mixer
The major thing I am doing with my I/O connections is through the Travller and the DJ mixer. For me, the feel of a DJ mixer is so much better than going back and fourth between MIDI controllers and assinging so many knobs and sliders to the EQ and Track Volume in Ableton. The dj Mixer takes care of that.
In clubs and at home - I use a 4 channel Dj mixer. I have the MOTU Traveller distributing 4 stereo outputs - 1/4 to RCA -. in Ableton, it is super easy to assing track outputs. Looks something like this:
House 1 - 3/4 :: Sample 1 - 5/6 :: House 2 - 7/8 and so on...
While I perform, I RARLEY adjust volume or EQ in Ableton. The Traveller outputs are plugged into the LINE inputs of any dj mixer. (Think of having 4 CDJ's) I played at Club Five in DC last week and I was plugged into an A&H Xone 92. (Makes for an exciting time)
Now, my template for "live performances" has six tracks. Two "house" tracks (the actuall songs), two "sample tracks", one "dj scratch" (cuts from turntbales for transitions), one "filtered snare/sample" I trigger drum rolls with filters) and a track with Spectrasonics Atmosphre loaded. --- Keep in mind, this changes all the time :)
I have 6 trakcs, but only 4 channels. You need to distribute them the way you feel comfortable. For instance, my 'send' tracks go to channel 1 and virtually all my "sample" trakcs go to channel 2.
With my cables hooked up and Im tweaking and mixing with a Dj mixer; I use M-Audio gear to automate effects, trigger clips and trakcs, and compose. My trigger finger is awesme - I assigned pads to trigger songs and samples. The 02 i use for playing keys and triggerign clips as well. ALl the knobs and faders are assigned to random effect automation, send effects etc.
My main point is the Audio Interface/DJ mixer integration. Obviosly the more outputs your interface has and more inputs on the DJ mixer - it will make it easier for you. I really dig this feel; I remember when I first got started, it was difficult to use a mouse and one MIDI controller to mix four tracks at once.
If your interested to make the switch or looking to improve your rig - this is so stable and benefical (espiacally if you come from DJ'ing)
I hope all of you find this helpful - ROCK ON!!
Ross
PS - my website - www.djrosslara.com - has more info. |
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| Jarvmeister |
Odd, my name is Ross and I used to have a girlgriend called Lara.
Mmmmm, she was lovely. |
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| WirelessEyes |
Haha, Yeeah?
Nice to meet you :) |
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| Inertia |
i'm feeling you. but go more into technique. how do you set up Ableton? do you use short loops from tracks, your own edits, full tracks? do you mix it all at once, or go conventional? do you try to make a collage of tracks, or do you stay true to the originals?
i thought you were also gonna give a DJing with Ableton for Dummies type of thing. i could use one, as i know my way around the program more or less for production, but still haven't fully gone into DJing with it. i can't seem to warp correctly (i am fail, i know :() but i think i may get the hang of it soon. |
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| Zild |
Here's how to warp like a champ.
Load up track. Hit warp. Manually enter the correct BPM into the little box below warp. Set your first warp marker on the first beat you want to use. Scroll to the end. Line up the last beat towards the end of the song but do not create anymore green warp markers. Press save. Should take less than a minute. |
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| Inertia |
| quote: | Originally posted by Zild
Here's how to warp like a champ.
Load up track. Hit warp. Manually enter the correct BPM into the little box below warp. Set your first warp marker on the first beat you want to use. Scroll to the end. Line up the last beat towards the end of the song but do not create anymore green warp markers. Press save. Should take less than a minute. |
sounds good and all, but how do i get the correct BPM? wave editor + calculator? :p |
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| Zild |
| I use a demo version of mixmeister I find it to be very accurate. Sure you can use a wave editor and a calculator as well. |
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| Jarvmeister |
| quote: | Originally posted by WirelessEyes
Haha, Yeeah?
Nice to meet you :) |
Yep - 100% true.
Nice to meet you too. Keep up the good work, and carry on letting Inertia feel you.... :stongue:
Jarv |
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| OMGsplosion |
| quote: | Originally posted by Inertia
sounds good and all, but how do i get the correct BPM? wave editor + calculator? :p |
Just play the track inside Ableton whilst having the wrap turned off (big green rectangular button in the sample panel) and then keep clicking the "TAP" button along with the beats up on the very top left on Ableton. Keep doing that until you feel the reading next to it is correct. |
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