this has been sooo helpful filling in the gaps where I was getting stuck combining Ableton with external synths, an octatrack and an ERM multi clock. Much appreciated especially when you're doing this sick as a dog and soon to be dad. Cheers, and felt I should join your patreon as a small token of thanks
Thanks Geoff 🙏 Feeling much better today thankfully, even played 5-aside so I’m back on it this week :) More content to come and really happy to hear you are finding it helpful, gives me the energy to keep making these 🍻
Really enjoyed that! I’m not even into the whole Dawless live set thing but found some of the routing and mapping useful for hybrid producing on the digi boxes. I’m really curious about how you get all the program changes mapped and triggered as well as general set structure/flow. Looking forward to the next videos!
Great stuff, thanks for sharing. Instead of getting another merge/thru box, you could consider replacing all of them with something like an iConnectivity mioXM. That allows you to do routing and filtering in a single box. Also allows connecting USB-MIDI devices like the faderfox or the MIDI fighter. Another advantage of such a box, is that you can then connect it to the computer through USB, so in Ableton you get access to the outputs of all devices, if you so wish. Or you can route MIDI from Ableton to any of the devices.
Yes! I have considered this many times over the past few years. With my idea mentioned in the video about rerouting again back into Digitakt from synths for midi learn etc. that would solve. Only issue is space underneath pedal board
or for a tiny version that fits into a compact setup there is the CME U6MIDI Pro. probably not as robust as the mioXM but does what is says on the tin and is very versatile and easy to config with merging, midi thru, filtering. damn cheap too. It has a great piece of software to configure it on the fly. I was sceptical that it would work at the price but so far no hiccups at all.
Aye! It’s actually underneath all the machines locked inside the pedal board with all wires tied away too. It’s a lift and plug in setup so it’s super easy to travel around with and set up. Takes a couple of minutes to get it rigged up
Yes - Aggregate Devices - thats what I wanted to show you. On the ST/DT you can then have any audio effects from their tracks in Ableton sent out if their main physical outs. So for example if you have Roar on a DT or ST track you can send it out over usb from Live to the DT/ST and through their outs over physical cables. You can do that, or you could do just the sounds from the devices directly themselves without any of the usb audio, or you could do both at the same time. The way I have it set up is that but with individual tracks with Ableton's external instrument devices on them routing the Overbridge audio and midi, which according to my testing is lower latency than plain audio tracks. Hopefully that was not too confusing to read...
Love these kinds of videos, always interesting to see how other people handle playing dawless live! PS: how do you like those midi cables? Never seen those before
Rockboard flax cables, but I chop of the plastic brackets it comes with by unscrewing them and using snips. Yeah they are great! Saves loads of room. Thanks for watching 🙏
I will do a video soon but for latency, choose 0 latency plugins, low cpu by choosing mainly stock effects from Ableton where possible, set Ableton to external sync which lowers latency, use lower buffer size possible and turn off any software that is unnecessary. Also soundcard plays a big role in round trip latency, motu is known for good low latency speeds. As for syncing, it’s a pain in the ass! I’m not actually syncing really I’m just sending clock to Ableton to change its tempo so it clicks Fx like delays. If you want to slave machines to Ableton there are clock devices like midronome, expert sleepers USAMO, innerclocks etc
Hi James - thanks for this series so far! I’ve been trying to find a lot of the information you’re presenting - good to find it all in one place. Question for you about clocks - you said that the Octatrack was the clock source as this then goes through the Kenton Merge to other devices. However, when you turned on external sync in Ableton, the BPM changed. How does the clock go to Ableton as well if the Octatrack isn’t connected via usb/midi to Ableton? Apologies if I’ve missed something or you’re explaining this in another episode
Ah yes sorry for confusion, I do explain this a little in another video. Basically Ableton is listening to digitakts clock via USB and this isn’t to slave Ableton properly, it’s more to just tell Ableton what bpm I am running at so delay Fx are in time with the BPM
@@jamesorvis_mixhackers yes, you did say in the first video Ableton was synced to the Digitakt - forgot about that! But thanks for explaining. And thanks again for this series!
if you dont mind sharing any more of you're secrets - where do you get you're 90 degree audio cables from - they look great but haven't had much luck sourcing any good ones
@@jamesorvis_mixhackers I can't understand how can you get latency so low to use live monitoring, I have an AudioFuse 16rig and it's impossible, am I missing something?
I had loads of syncing issues with my Mpc and the Elektron’s devices I purchased the ERM multi clock and never looked back I can run Ableton with everything in sync and using Maschine mk3 alongside superior drummer and omnisphere playing live along side everything externally zero latency and you can set it to sync so it doesn’t have to do a cycle so everthing catches up I got my of Ricky tines videos and also you can swing the midi on your groove boxes independently like they use to do back in the day with silent sleeper midi programs old house trick
I really like your setup and mentality behind this, but for me it's a bit overcomplicated and not that much ergonomic and clean. I know that usual midi protocol create latency for audio signals about 2 to 6 ms. For example if i sequenced analog synth from my digitakt, i'll get 2-6 ms latency difference in audio that goes from my digitakt and my analog synth, but when you overcomplicate everything with midi merge/ midi split and midi thru boxes what then?
Also what's going on with audio signal's when you digitize it thru motu interface and then revert it back to analog? Does it loose the quality or the character?
I wouldn’t do this if I was getting latency that would effect syncing the boxes. I thoroughly tested everything before committing to this way and I’m very happy with the results. Dawless has its perks but the music I make needs wild sound design
Are you aware that Ableton has crossfader functionality built into tracks? Just want to make sure you know because it may be an easier way for you to do that with the faders. I still plan to join the discord btw Ive just been busy. Submitted my resume with Bitwig actually lol
Aye I’ve got a patreon, there’s also a discord here: discord.gg/Ctj2vzPnp7 You can also link up on Instagram: @druumlive Would love to see your setup 🍻
this has been sooo helpful filling in the gaps where I was getting stuck combining Ableton with external synths, an octatrack and an ERM multi clock. Much appreciated especially when you're doing this sick as a dog and soon to be dad. Cheers, and felt I should join your patreon as a small token of thanks
Thanks Geoff 🙏 Feeling much better today thankfully, even played 5-aside so I’m back on it this week :)
More content to come and really happy to hear you are finding it helpful, gives me the energy to keep making these 🍻
Really enjoyed that! I’m not even into the whole Dawless live set thing but found some of the routing and mapping useful for hybrid producing on the digi boxes. I’m really curious about how you get all the program changes mapped and triggered as well as general set structure/flow. Looking forward to the next videos!
Thanks for watching 🙏 As we move through the series I will definitely go deeper into those topics 🍻
Great stuff, thanks for sharing.
Instead of getting another merge/thru box, you could consider replacing all of them with something like an iConnectivity mioXM. That allows you to do routing and filtering in a single box. Also allows connecting USB-MIDI devices like the faderfox or the MIDI fighter.
Another advantage of such a box, is that you can then connect it to the computer through USB, so in Ableton you get access to the outputs of all devices, if you so wish. Or you can route MIDI from Ableton to any of the devices.
Yes! I have considered this many times over the past few years. With my idea mentioned in the video about rerouting again back into Digitakt from synths for midi learn etc. that would solve. Only issue is space underneath pedal board
or for a tiny version that fits into a compact setup there is the CME U6MIDI Pro. probably not as robust as the mioXM but does what is says on the tin and is very versatile and easy to config with merging, midi thru, filtering. damn cheap too. It has a great piece of software to configure it on the fly. I was sceptical that it would work at the price but so far no hiccups at all.
What a rabbit hole, thanks for sharing! Do you use a pedalboard for the whole rig so it's almost ready to go? Thanks
Yes it’s the Warwick Rockboard Cinque 5.2 along with a pelican storm case for transport
So for this live performance set up, would you need to take the motu interface with you?
Aye! It’s actually underneath all the machines locked inside the pedal board with all wires tied away too. It’s a lift and plug in setup so it’s super easy to travel around with and set up. Takes a couple of minutes to get it rigged up
Yes - Aggregate Devices - thats what I wanted to show you. On the ST/DT you can then have any audio effects from their tracks in Ableton sent out if their main physical outs. So for example if you have Roar on a DT or ST track you can send it out over usb from Live to the DT/ST and through their outs over physical cables. You can do that, or you could do just the sounds from the devices directly themselves without any of the usb audio, or you could do both at the same time. The way I have it set up is that but with individual tracks with Ableton's external instrument devices on them routing the Overbridge audio and midi, which according to my testing is lower latency than plain audio tracks. Hopefully that was not too confusing to read...
Love these kinds of videos, always interesting to see how other people handle playing dawless live!
PS: how do you like those midi cables? Never seen those before
Rockboard flax cables, but I chop of the plastic brackets it comes with by unscrewing them and using snips.
Yeah they are great! Saves loads of room. Thanks for watching 🙏
@@jamesorvis_mixhackers right on, thanks!
Thanks you so much for those two last videos
I will do a video soon but for latency, choose 0 latency plugins, low cpu by choosing mainly stock effects from Ableton where possible, set Ableton to external sync which lowers latency, use lower buffer size possible and turn off any software that is unnecessary. Also soundcard plays a big role in round trip latency, motu is known for good low latency speeds.
As for syncing, it’s a pain in the ass! I’m not actually syncing really I’m just sending clock to Ableton to change its tempo so it clicks Fx like delays. If you want to slave machines to Ableton there are clock devices like midronome, expert sleepers USAMO, innerclocks etc
Hi James - thanks for this series so far! I’ve been trying to find a lot of the information you’re presenting - good to find it all in one place. Question for you about clocks - you said that the Octatrack was the clock source as this then goes through the Kenton Merge to other devices. However, when you turned on external sync in Ableton, the BPM changed. How does the clock go to Ableton as well if the Octatrack isn’t connected via usb/midi to Ableton? Apologies if I’ve missed something or you’re explaining this in another episode
Ah yes sorry for confusion, I do explain this a little in another video. Basically Ableton is listening to digitakts clock via USB and this isn’t to slave Ableton properly, it’s more to just tell Ableton what bpm I am running at so delay Fx are in time with the BPM
@@jamesorvis_mixhackers yes, you did say in the first video Ableton was synced to the Digitakt - forgot about that! But thanks for explaining. And thanks again for this series!
if you dont mind sharing any more of you're secrets - where do you get you're 90 degree audio cables from - they look great but haven't had much luck sourcing any good ones
Always up for sharing mate 🙏 They are Ernie Ball Flat Patch cables you can find em on Amazon and most music stores
@@jamesorvis_mixhackers cheers!
Thanks, how is the Motu 16a, being so old?
Honestly, you wouldn’t even think it was that old! Works great!
@@jamesorvis_mixhackers I can't understand how can you get latency so low to use live monitoring, I have an AudioFuse 16rig and it's impossible, am I missing something?
James, how with the Motu you can route several sources to one destination?
I had loads of syncing issues with my Mpc and the Elektron’s devices I purchased the ERM multi clock and never looked back I can run Ableton with everything in sync and using Maschine mk3 alongside superior drummer and omnisphere playing live along side everything externally zero latency and you can set it to sync so it doesn’t have to do a cycle so everthing catches up I got my of Ricky tines videos and also you can swing the midi on your groove boxes independently like they use to do back in the day with silent sleeper midi programs old house trick
Aye I’ve heard great things and considered getting one
I really like your setup and mentality behind this, but for me it's a bit overcomplicated and not that much ergonomic and clean. I know that usual midi protocol create latency for audio signals about 2 to 6 ms. For example if i sequenced analog synth from my digitakt, i'll get 2-6 ms latency difference in audio that goes from my digitakt and my analog synth, but when you overcomplicate everything with midi merge/ midi split and midi thru boxes what then?
Also what's going on with audio signal's when you digitize it thru motu interface and then revert it back to analog? Does it loose the quality or the character?
I wouldn’t do this if I was getting latency that would effect syncing the boxes. I thoroughly tested everything before committing to this way and I’m very happy with the results. Dawless has its perks but the music I make needs wild sound design
Are you aware that Ableton has crossfader functionality built into tracks? Just want to make sure you know because it may be an easier way for you to do that with the faders. I still plan to join the discord btw Ive just been busy. Submitted my resume with Bitwig actually lol
Fuck yea dude. Very similar to mine. Do you have a discord or something? Would love to show you. Edit* Found it.
Aye I’ve got a patreon, there’s also a discord here: discord.gg/Ctj2vzPnp7
You can also link up on Instagram: @druumlive
Would love to see your setup 🍻