I was just looking through photos of various studio setups and it got me wondering about all the different ways to use a computer in conjunction with external gear. At the moment, I’m simply recording live jams on my Elektron gear into Ableton for mixing and some basic processing, but I realize there are lots of other configurations, including using the computer to sequence external gear, lay out a song, apply effects, etc.
So how are you using the two together, either in the studio or live?
i am using midi ox to send timing from aira tr-8 to my other external synths other times i use ableton.
I don’t really do it anymore, but I used to just have all gear slaved to Ableton Live’s clock (Live’s clock needs to be running for midi data to trigger correctly), using USB if possible, otherwise Midi cables.
Use Live’s “External Instrument” device on a tracks for each incoming instrument via sound card.
Handy to have some kind of controller that is capable of easily switching midi channels. I use an Alesis Q49. Then you can set all your midi tracks to receive individual channels and play each instrument by simply switching midi channels. Something like an APC40 comes in pretty handy, but so would an Octatrack or anything capable of sending midi in a controller fashion.
I used to use Bomes quite a bit to create crazy custom midi routing too.
Seems lots of people like working like that, and with Overbridge on it’s way, I imagine more so.
There’s definitely some appeal to quickly moving midi clips around to create/experiment with songs, lots of cool effects, project management etc.
That said, after years constantly reconfiguring Live sets, fiddling with computer/hardware sync issues, CPU pressure, getting lost in options, and billions mouse clicks, I threw in the towel and just went back to doing what you said your already doing, “simply recording live jams on on my Elektron gear.”
Feels like the weight has been lifted.
If anything, I just take those audio recordings and edit them further in Live.
yes Juan I on;ly discovered this raw style once I had my sub37 hooked to the tr8 once a sequence was running i could then use the others to play chords or whatever and when i had something i liked over to ableton i went. this is why i like the idea of an octatrak. of course for me i was missing the sequencer and the sub has helped with that a lot.
I am the nervous type and the octatrak thread scares me with seeing the failures on there and subsequent costs of return.
I love the OT, completely replaced Ableton for me.
Contrary to what I heard prior to getting one, I found the basics of it simple to understand. In fact, the midi tracks are the simplest part.
For me the clunky part is project/bank/part/pattern management.
However now there’s OctaEdit so it’s better.
Still though, it’s not near as fast as cutting up, moving, saving, importing clips in Ableton. Nevertheless, not having that luxury is not always a bad thing for me. I tend to be more deliberate, and less fussy about finer details.