Ableton...
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- Dodecahedron0
This looks pretty cool, if I were to spring for a simple midi keyboard for ableton it would be this. If you want to hook up multiple devices a usb router would work. I wouldn't get to carried away though, one is enough until you are a ninja. Ableton handles midi very well so I assume multiple devices wouldn't be too much of a problem except for your own learning curve.
- for all midi connection go to Options-Preferences... sure devices are ON and in/outputs are setDodecahedron
- Options . Preferences . Midi SyncDodecahedron
- albums0
My question thread was deleted, I'll ask here...
I have been given the opportunity to use a friends laptop which has Ableton Live 7 on it. He has told me that if I wish to pay for the upgrade he will upgrade it to 8, however suggests that I use the money on hardware instead. Being a novice I have opted for devices listed at ableton.com as compatible. I am looking at one of the two setups: 1. a Novation Launchpad http://www.ableton.com/launchpad… with an Akai MPK25 http://www.akaipro.com/mpk25 or 2. a Novation Launchpad, an M-Audio Oxygen 25, http://www.m-audio.com/products/… and a Behringer BCR2000. http://www.behringer.com/EN/Prod… The donor computer is a Dell Studio 1555 Vista Ultimate 64-Bit with Intel Centrino 2 T9550 @2.66GHz chips & 8GB RAM.
I have seen setups on youtube that consist of 2 devices so I am wondering if it will be possible to host 2-3 devices easily? I am aware there are some PCI & PCI-e devices however am unable to find exactly what I need, mainly because I'm not sure what is best for my intended use.
I believe that midi devices can be set up in series though I am unsure of the connection requirements of the items I am interested in as most are listed as usb. I have 3 usb inputs on the computer, one of which says eSATA; Firewire 1394, Network , and Mini PCI-e connections are available as well. If it matters there are also a VGA and HDMI connection. I am stating these additional ports in hopes there is another piece of hardware I could possibly plug into the mini PCI-e or eSATA usb port then connect all the controller devices to.
As you can tell though, I am ignorant here and seeking advice from knowledgeable hardware users. If you have other hardware suggestions that you believe would accomplish my interface expectations, while avoiding shortcomings I may not be aware of, please inform me and share your thoughts.
I would like to use one of the two setups listed above or one similar to them, but prefer not to order the items, wait a week or two to receive them, then not have a clue how to connect them correctly or not realize I'm still missing some additional hardware. I figure there will be issues in midi mapping attempting to use multiple devices that are all designed to work with Ableton, however I prefer these issues as opposed to having three devices and only one working at a time.
Thank you for any input or insight you are able to share. If you have any further questions about the computer hardware/configuration in question, please let me know so that I may answer them. I'm not sure if the computer setup is good, bad, or irrelevant to successful operation.
- acescence0
I love Ableton, it's superior for live performance (hence the name!), but i still prefer Logic for production.
- ukit0
- ukit0
Agreed, you could do almost the same thing they did with Audiomulch or some other freeware program
- bored2death0
The problem with that video is that it shows you the least special aspect of Live: Arrangement View. You can use just about any audio recording program to get that. Ableton's real uniqueness is the Session View. That's where all it's power is, in my opinion.
- for performance or recording quick ideas yes, totallyMiguex
- Miguex0
^
yes, I think with basic knowledge most of us watch the video and say right! that's how they did it...My question was different though, and aimed to the fact that you need to know and understand all the possibilities available on the software (not what button to click, but what everything does and when yo apply it so your ideas translate to the sequence).
In order to reverse engineer a track, you REALLY need to know your way not only around the software but around music theory as well, specially after achieving the exact track, In my opinion this ability takes years to develop, and goes way beyond using the software in the session mode and playing around w built in samples/presets
- rounce0
I live with a music production teacher, if you're serious I can hook you up with him (nohomo).
- ukit0
@Meeklo I guess what I was saying is that while the video makes it look like magic or something, most of that comes from the knowledge of the samples or in other cases, the musical ability of the artist...not just from knowing what button to click in the program!
I wouldn't consider myself an expert on this program or anything but I could understand what they were doing at every step and none of it was too difficult. Certainly not worth paying $1000 to learn.
- Miguex0
^
Could you pick any tune and reverse engineer it to sound just like the original?That to me is even harder than coming up with your own music.
I mean yeah, we all watch the video and say.. oooh that's how they did it... that's easy.. (now that you've seen it of course.)If you can do that, my hat is off to you Ukit.
- ukit0
Am I missing something, there was nothing really that complex about what they did here?? The majority was just cut up different samples used in the tune and apply various effects to them.
The hard part would be coming up with the music or the samples to use in the first place, not using the program.
- this is pretty good way of understanding how a full track works. knowing what everything does and why is the hard partDodecahedron
- this is useful.... we did stuff like this in the 90's in more primitive software, not that different in a way....vaxorcist
- ukit0
- Dodecahedron0
get a crack and play with it. its really easy to just start and mess with it. there's lessons in the help, just do them and get on with it.
- Thelonious_Funk0
buy a midi controller, get software, easy.
open and start learning, ableton is very intuiative...
dont be afraid to learn something new.
check out tutorials by tom cosm, hes got great ableton tips and chops.hardware vs software is irrelephant.... skills and imagination is where its at... theres people making gooood music even using garage band... pick any software and go for it.
- easy to make a 4/4 beat using the included loops, totally.Miguex
- irrelephant... hahahadasohr
- to quote dane cook, the majority of people only use 5$ worth of photoshop (in this case ableton), maybe the guy wants to REALLY learn itMiguex
- to REALLY learn how to use it you know?Miguex
- yes, I should also add, get a hardware interface to plug in mics and other gear...Thelonious_Funk
- music is made with more than just electronic bits... get a decent mic, record things liveThelonious_Funk
- Miguex0
I think you need to consider the options here:
Yes, the software is easy (for most people that had a background in music applications) but for someone that has never used anything like it, it can be very intimidating.
Download a trial, watch the dubspot channel and other similars offering youtube tutorials for beginners, etc.
Give it a few months to see if you like it and then decide if you want to spend that money.
MOST people tell you it's easy to learn, but in all honesty the VAST MAJORITY will never learn everything you will on a reputable school with experienced musicians teaching you face to face.
Someone said, buy gear instead.
With all due respect, I disagree. What good is to have gear if you don't know how to use it?If you never learn the software you will be one of those guys on forums that argue about what software is better, because they think it's all about the tool and not the knowledge.
If you are already decided go take the classes, then you'll know what hardware is better for you, and you will spend your money more wisely in the future based on your actual needs instead of what controller [insert favorite artist name here] is using.
my 2 cents
- 23kon0
Download the trial, it talks you through stuff.
I never read manuals and just taught myself this program by trial and error i in no way know everything this program can do, but if theres anything i DO need to know theres always a tutorial on youtube or the web somewhere.
bored2death is right though its taken me about the same amount of time to say i know the program well and still dont know everything.
if this course is good enough and will make you a ableton master then its prob worth the grand.there is the arguement though that the best creativity comes from chaos so just try having a dabble yourself and see how you get on with it. if you hit a brick wall then go on the course/
- aanderton0
If you're looking for a life change, why not just change wank hands. Flips things into a whole different perspective!
- aanderton0
If you're looking for a life change, why not just change wank hands. Flips things into a whole different perspective!
- bored2death0
Oh, and just to be clear, you won't leave the class making music like Prodigy. That requires time and talent... you won't get that in 9 weeks.
Anyway, that song was done on ancient equipment like an SP1200, which is why the song is actually amazing.