Ableton Live 9 Guide

683 Pages·2015·30.42 MB·English

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Ableton Reference Manual Version 9
for Windows and Mac OS
Reference Manual by Dennis DeSantis, Ian Gallagher, Kevin Haywood, Rose Knudsen, Gerhard
Behles, Jakob Rang, Robert Henke, Torsten Slama.
Schönhauser Allee 6-7 | 10119 Berlin, Germany
Contact Support: www.ableton.com/support/contact
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Copyright 2015 Ableton AG. All rights reserved. Made in Germany.
This manual, as well as the software described in it, is furnished under license and may be used or copied only in accor-
dance with the terms of such license. The content of this manual is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change
without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Ableton. Every effort has been made to ensure that the
information in this manual is accurate. Ableton assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may
appear in this book.
Except as permitted by such license, no part of this publication may be reproduced, edited, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permis-
sion of Ableton.
Ableton, the Ableton Logo, the Live logo are trademarks of Ableton AG. Apple, GarageBand, Mac, Macintosh, Mac OS
and QuickTime are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the U.S. and other countries. Finder is a trademark of Apple Inc.
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Intel is a registered
trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. SONiVOX is the brand name
trademark of Sonic Network, Inc. VST and ASIO are trademarks and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
ReWire, Recycle and REX2 are trademarks of Propellerhead Software AB. All other product and company names are
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Content provided by:
SONiVOX — www.sonivoxrocks.com
Chocolate Audio — www.chocolateaudio.com
Puremagnetik — www.puremagnetik.com
Cycling ‘74 — www.cycling74.com
SonArte — www.sonarte.ca
e-instruments — www.e-instruments.com
Zero-G — www.zero-g.co.uk
Goldbaby – www.goldbaby.co.nz
Sample Magic – www.samplemagic.com
Physical Modeling technology provided by:
Applied Acoustics Systems — www.applied-acoustics.com
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Contents
Welcome to Live 19
1.1 The Ableton Team Says: Thank You ……………………………………………………………………19
1.2 What’s New in Live 9? ……………………………………………………………………………………19
1.2.1 Dual Monitor Support ................................................................................................19
1.2.2 Session View Automation ......................................................................................... 20
1.2.3 Envelope Editing Improvements ............................................................................... 20
1.2.4 Envelope Curves ....................................................................................................... 20
1.2.5 MIDI Editing Improvements ...................................................................................... 20
1.2.6 Improved Keyboard Workfow .................................................................................21
1.2.7 Redesigned Browser ..................................................................................................21
1.2.8 Convert Harmony, Melody, or Drums to MIDI ........................................................21
1.2.9 Consolidate Time to New Scene ............................................................................. 22
1.2.10 Default Presets for MIDI and Audio Tracks .............................................................. 22
1.2.11 Default Presets for Plug-in Parameter Confgurations ............................................. 22
1.2.12 Improved Waveforms ............................................................................................... 22
1.2.13 Improved Meters ....................................................................................................... 22
1.2.14 Improved Coloring .................................................................................................... 22
1.2.15 Device Improvements ................................................................................................ 23
1.2.16 Rendering Improvements .......................................................................................... 23
1.2.17 Ableton Push and Push 2 .......................................................................................... 24
First Steps 25
2.1 Learn About Live ………………………………………………………………………………………… 25
2.1.1 Using the Info View and Index ................................................................................. 25
2.2 Setting up Preferences ………………………………………………………………………………… 26
2.3 The Main Live Screen …………………………………………………………………………………… 27
Authorizing Live 31
3.1 Copy Protection FAQs ……………………………………………………………………………………31
3.1.1 Can I Use Live or Other Ableton Products Without a Serial Number? ..................31
3.1.2 What if I Change My Computer’s Components? ................................................... 32
3.1.3 Can I Authorize Live More than Once?................................................................... 32
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3.1.4 Can I Play my Set from a Computer That Is Not Authorized?................................ 32
3.1.5 What Do I Do About Problems or Questions Regarding Copy Protection? ......... 33
Live Concepts 35
4.1 The Browser ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 35
4.2 Live Sets …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 36
4.3 Arrangement and Session …………………………………………………………………………… 36
4.4 Tracks ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 37
4.5 Audio and MIDI ………………………………………………………………………………………… 40
4.6 Audio Clips and Samples ……………………………………………………………………………… 40
4.7 MIDI Clips and MIDI Files …………………………………………………………………………… 42
4.8 Devices and the Mixer ………………………………………………………………………………… 43
4.9 Presets and Racks ………………………………………………………………………………………… 46
4.10 Routing ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 46
4.11 Recording New Clips …………………………………………………………………………………… 47
4.12 Automation Envelopes ………………………………………………………………………………… 48
4.13 Clip Envelopes …………………………………………………………………………………………… 49
4.14 MIDI and Key Remote ………………………………………………………………………………… 50
4.15 Saving and Exporting ……………………………………………………………………………………51
Managing Files and Sets 53
5.1 Working with the Browser …………………………………………………………………………… 53
5.1.1 Understanding the Browser’s Hierarchy .................................................................. 54
5.1.2 User Folders ............................................................................................................... 56
5.1.3 Searching for Files ..................................................................................................... 57
5.2 Sample Files …………………………………………………………………………………………………61
5.2.1 The Decoding Cache .................................................................................................61
5.2.2 Analysis Files (.asd) ................................................................................................... 62
5.2.3 Exporting Audio and Video ...................................................................................... 63
5.3 MIDI Files ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 69
5.3.1 Exporting MIDI Files ................................................................................................. 69
5.4 Live Clips …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 69
5.5 Live Sets ………………………………………………………………………………………………………71
5.5.1 Creating, Opening and Saving Sets ........................................................................71
5.5.2 Merging Sets ..............................................................................................................71
5.5.3 Exporting Session Clips as New Sets .......................................................................73
5.5.4 Template Sets ..............................................................................................................73
5.5.5 Viewing and Changing a Live Set’s File References ................................................74
5.6 Live Projects ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 76
5.6.1 Projects and Live Sets .................................................................................................76
5.6.2 Projects and Presets ................................................................................................... 79
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5.6.3 Managing Files in a Project ...................................................................................... 79
5.7 Locating Missing Files ………………………………………………………………………………… 80
5.7.1 Manual Repair .......................................................................................................... 80
5.7.2 Automatic Repair ........................................................................................................81
5.8 Collecting External Files ……………………………………………………………………………… 82
5.8.1 Collect Files on Export .............................................................................................. 83
5.9 Aggregated Locating and Collecting ……………………………………………………………… 84
5.10 Finding Unused Files …………………………………………………………………………………… 84
5.11 Packing Projects into Packs …………………………………………………………………………… 85
5.12 File Management FAQs ……………………………………………………………………………… 85
5.12.1 How Do I Create a Project? ..................................................................................... 85
5.12.2 How Can I Save Presets Into My Current Project? ................................................. 86
5.12.3 Can I Work On Multiple Versions of a Set? ............................................................ 86
5.12.4 Where Should I Save My Live Sets? ........................................................................ 86
5.12.5 Can I Use My Own Folder Structure Within a Project Folder? .............................. 86
Arrangement View 89
6.1 Navigation ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 89
6.2 Transport ………………………………………………………………………………………………………91
6.3 Launching the Arrangement with Locators ……………………………………………………… 93
6.4 Time Signature Changes ……………………………………………………………………………… 94
6.5 The Arrangement Loop ………………………………………………………………………………… 96
6.6 Moving and Resizing Clips …………………………………………………………………………… 97
6.7 Audio Clip Fades and Crossfades ………………………………………………………………… 98
6.8 Selecting Clips and Time ……………………………………………………………………………… 100
6.9 Using the Editing Grid ………………………………………………………………………………… 102
6.10 Using the ...Time Commands ………………………………………………………………………… 103
6.11 Splitting Clips ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 104
6.12 Consolidating Clips ……………………………………………………………………………………… 104
Session View 107
7.1 Session View Clips ……………………………………………………………………………………… 107
7.2 Tracks and Scenes ……………………………………………………………………………………… 109
7.3 The Track Status Fields ………………………………………………………………………………… 111
7.4 Setting Up the Session View Grid …………………………………………………………………… 112
7.4.1 Select on Launch ...................................................................................................... 113
7.4.2 Removing Clip Stop Buttons .................................................................................... 113
7.4.3 Editing Scenes .......................................................................................................... 113
7.5 Recording Sessions into the Arrangement ………………………………………………………… 114
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Clip View 117
8.1 The Clip Box ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 120
8.1.1 Clip Activator Switch ............................................................................................... 120
8.1.2 Clip Name and Color ..............................................................................................121
8.1.3 Clip Signature ...........................................................................................................121
8.1.4 Clip Groove Chooser ..............................................................................................121
8.1.5 Clip Offset and Nudging .........................................................................................122
8.2 The Sample Box ………………………………………………………………………………………… 123
8.2.1 Warp Controls ..........................................................................................................123
8.2.2 Sample Loop/Region and Display .........................................................................124
8.2.3 Clip Pitch and Gain ................................................................................................. 130
8.2.4 Destructive Sample Editing ..................................................................................... 130
8.2.5 Saving Default Clip Settings with the Sample ........................................................131
8.2.6 High Quality Interpolation ......................................................................................131
8.2.7 Clip Start and End Fades .........................................................................................132
8.2.8 Clip RAM Mode .......................................................................................................133
8.2.9 Reversing Samples ...................................................................................................133
8.2.10 Cropping Audio Clips ..............................................................................................134
8.2.11 Replacing and Editing the Sample ..........................................................................134
8.3 The Notes Box …………………………………………………………………………………………… 135
8.3.1 Transform Tools ........................................................................................................ 135
8.3.2 Bank and Program Change .................................................................................... 136
8.3.3 MIDI Loop/Region ................................................................................................. 136
8.4 Clip Defaults and Update Rate ……………………………………………………………………… 136
Audio Clips, Tempo, and Warping 137
9.1 Tempo ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 137
9.1.1 Setting the Tempo .....................................................................................................137
9.1.2 Tapping the Tempo .................................................................................................. 138
9.1.3 Nudging the Tempo ................................................................................................ 138
9.2 Time-Warping Samples ……………………………………………………………………………… 139
9.2.1 Tempo Master/Slave .............................................................................................. 140
9.2.2 Warp Markers ......................................................................................................... 140
9.2.3 Using Warp Markers .............................................................................................. 143
9.2.4 Quantizing Audio .................................................................................................... 149
9.3 Adjusting for Good Stretching Quality …………………………………………………………… 149
9.3.1 Beats Mode ............................................................................................................. 150
9.3.2 Tones Mode ..............................................................................................................151
9.3.3 Texture Mode............................................................................................................151
9.3.4 Re-Pitch Mode ..........................................................................................................151
9.3.5 Complex Mode ........................................................................................................151
9.3.6 Complex Pro Mode ................................................................................................ 152
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9.3.7 REX Mode ................................................................................................................ 152
Editing MIDI Notes and Velocities 155
10.1 Creating an Empty MIDI Clip ………………………………………………………………………… 155
10.2 The MIDI Editor …………………………………………………………………………………………… 156
10.3 MIDI Editor Navigation and Transport …………………………………………………………… 158
10.4 Editing MIDI ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 160
10.4.1 Non-Destructive Editing .......................................................................................... 160
10.4.2 Folding and Looping ............................................................................................... 160
10.4.3 Grid Snapping..........................................................................................................161
10.4.4 Editing Notes ........................................................................................................... 162
10.4.5 Changing Note Length ........................................................................................... 163
10.4.6 The ...Time Commands in the MIDI Editor ............................................................. 164
10.4.7 Quantizing Notes .................................................................................................... 164
10.4.8 Editing Velocities ..................................................................................................... 165
10.4.9 MIDI Note Stretch ................................................................................................... 167
10.4.10 Cropping MIDI Clips .............................................................................................. 168
10.4.11 Deactivating Notes ................................................................................................. 168
10.4.12 The Transform Tools ................................................................................................. 169
Converting Audio to MIDI 171
11.1 Slice to New MIDI Track ……………………………………………………………………………… 171
11.1.1 Resequencing Slices .................................................................................................173
11.1.2 Using Effects on Slices .............................................................................................173
11.2 Convert Harmony to New MIDI Track …………………………………………………………… 174
11.3 Convert Melody to New MIDI Track ……………………………………………………………… 174
11.4 Convert Drums to New MIDI Track ………………………………………………………………… 175
11.5 Optimizing for Better Conversion Quality………………………………………………………… 175
Using Grooves 177
12.1 Groove Pool ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 178
12.1.1 Adjusting Groove Parameters ................................................................................ 179
12.1.2 Committing Grooves ............................................................................................... 180
12.2 Editing Grooves ………………………………………………………………………………………… 181
12.2.1 Extracting Grooves ...................................................................................................181
12.3 Groove Tips ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 181
12.3.1 Grooving a Single Voice ........................................................................................ 182
12.3.2 Non-Destructive Quantization ............................................................................... 182
12.3.3 Creating Texture With Randomization ................................................................... 182
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Launching Clips 183
13.1 The Launch Box …………………………………………………………………………………………… 183
13.2 Launch Modes …………………………………………………………………………………………… 184
13.3 Clip Launch Quantization……………………………………………………………………………… 185
13.4 Velocity ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 185
13.5 Legato Mode ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 186
13.6 Follow Actions …………………………………………………………………………………………… 186
13.6.1 Looping Parts of a Clip ........................................................................................... 188
13.6.2 Creating Cycles ....................................................................................................... 189
13.6.3 Temporarily Looping Clips ...................................................................................... 189
13.6.4 Adding Variations in Sync ...................................................................................... 190
13.6.5 Mixing up Melodies and Beats .............................................................................. 190
13.6.6 Creating Nonrepetitive Structures ...........................................................................191
Routing and I/O 193
14.1 Monitoring ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 194
14.2 External Audio In/Out ………………………………………………………………………………… 195
14.2.1 Mono/Stereo Conversions .................................................................................... 195
14.3 External MIDI In/Out ………………………………………………………………………………… 196
14.3.1 The MIDI Ports List in the Preferences ..................................................................... 196
14.3.2 Playing MIDI With the Computer Keyboard ......................................................... 196
14.3.3 Connecting External Synthesizers .......................................................................... 197
14.3.4 MIDI In/Out Indicators .......................................................................................... 198
14.4 ReWire Slave Routing ………………………………………………………………………………… 198
14.5 Resampling …………………………………………………………………………………………………200
14.6 Internal Routings ………………………………………………………………………………………… 201
14.6.1 Internal Routing Points .............................................................................................202
14.6.2 Making Use of Internal Routing .............................................................................204
Mixing 213
15.1 The Live Mixer …………………………………………………………………………………………… 213
15.1.1 Session Mixer Features ............................................................................................216
15.2 Audio and MIDI Tracks ………………………………………………………………………………… 217
15.3 Group Tracks ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 218
15.4 Return Tracks and the Master Track ………………………………………………………………… 220
15.5 Using Live’s Crossfader ………………………………………………………………………………… 221
15.6 Soloing and Cueing …………………………………………………………………………………… 224
15.7 Track Delays ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 225
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Recording New Clips 227
16.1 Choosing an Input ……………………………………………………………………………………… 227
16.2 Arming (Record-Enabling) Tracks …………………………………………………………………… 228
16.3 Recording ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 229
16.3.1 Recording Into the Arrangement ............................................................................229
16.3.2 Recording Into Session Slots ...................................................................................230
16.3.3 Overdub Recording MIDI Patterns .........................................................................231
16.3.4 MIDI Step Recording .............................................................................................. 232
16.4 Recording in Sync ……………………………………………………………………………………… 233
16.5 Recording Quantized MIDI Notes ………………………………………………………………… 234
16.6 Recording with Count-in ……………………………………………………………………………… 235
16.7 Setting up File Types …………………………………………………………………………………… 236
16.8 Where are the Recorded Samples? ………………………………………………………………… 236
16.9 Using Remote Control for Recording ……………………………………………………………… 236
Working with Instruments and Effects 239
17.1 Using the Live Devices ………………………………………………………………………………… 241
17.1.1 Live Device Presets ..................................................................................................244
17.2 Using Plug-Ins …………………………………………………………………………………………… 249
17.2.1 Plug-Ins in the Device View ....................................................................................250
17.3 VST Plug-Ins ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 254
17.3.1 The VST Plug-In Folder ............................................................................................254
17.3.2 VST Programs and Banks ........................................................................................256
17.4 Audio Units Plug-Ins …………………………………………………………………………………… 257
17.5 Device Delay Compensation ………………………………………………………………………… 258
Instrument, Drum and Effect Racks 261
18.1 An Overview of Racks ………………………………………………………………………………… 262
18.1.1 Signal Flow and Parallel Device Chains ...............................................................262
18.1.2 Macro Controls .......................................................................................................263
18.2 Creating Racks …………………………………………………………………………………………… 263
18.3 Looking at Racks ………………………………………………………………………………………… 264
18.4 Chain List …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 266
18.4.1 Auto Select ...............................................................................................................267
18.5 Zones ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 268
18.5.1 Signal Flow through Zones .....................................................................................268
18.5.2 Key Zones ................................................................................................................269
18.5.3 Velocity Zones ......................................................................................................... 270
18.5.4 Chain Select Zones ................................................................................................. 270
18.6 Drum Racks ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 272
18.6.1 Pad View ...................................................................................................................274
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18.7 Using the Macro Controls …………………………………………………………………………… 276
18.8 Mixing With Racks ……………………………………………………………………………………… 277
18.8.1 Extracting Chains .................................................................................................... 278
Automation and Editing Envelopes 281
19.1 Recording Automation in Arrangement View …………………………………………………… 281
19.2 Recording Automation in Session View …………………………………………………………… 282
19.2.1 Session Automation Recording Modes .................................................................284
19.3 Deleting Automation …………………………………………………………………………………… 284
19.4 Overriding Automation ………………………………………………………………………………… 284
19.5 Drawing and Editing Automation …………………………………………………………………… 285
19.5.1 Drawing Envelopes ................................................................................................. 287
19.5.2 Editing Breakpoints. ................................................................................................. 287
19.5.3 Locking Envelopes ...................................................................................................289
19.5.4 Edit Menu Commands ............................................................................................289
19.5.5 Editing the Tempo Automation................................................................................290
Clip Envelopes 291
20.1 The Clip Envelope Editor ……………………………………………………………………………… 291
20.2 Audio Clip Envelopes …………………………………………………………………………………… 293
20.2.1 Clip Envelopes are Non-Destructive .....................................................................293
20.2.2 Changing Pitch and Tuning per Note ....................................................................293
20.2.3 Muting or Attenuating Notes in a Sample ............................................................295
20.2.4 Scrambling Beats ....................................................................................................295
20.2.5 Using Clips as Templates ........................................................................................296
20.3 Mixer and Device Clip Envelopes ………………………………………………………………… 296
20.3.1 Modulating Mixer Volumes and Sends .................................................................297
20.3.2 Modulating Pan .......................................................................................................298
20.3.3 Modulating Device Controls ..................................................................................298
20.4 MIDI Controller Clip Envelopes ……………………………………………………………………… 298
20.5 Unlinking Clip Envelopes From Clips ……………………………………………………………… 299
20.5.1 Programming a Fade-Out for a Live Set ................................................................299
20.5.2 Creating Long Loops from Short Loops .................................................................300
20.5.3 Imposing Rhythm Patterns onto Samples ............................................................... 301
20.5.4 Clip Envelopes as LFOs ..........................................................................................302
20.5.5 Warping Linked Envelopes .....................................................................................302
Working with Video 303
21.1 Importing Video …………………………………………………………………………………………303
21.2 The Appearance of Video in Live ……………………………………………………………………304