r/ableton • • Jun 01 '26

Weekly No Stupid Questions/Hardware Questions Thread

6 Upvotes

You got them, so ask them.

Remember to [read the manual](https://www.ableton.com/en/manual/welcome-to-live/), [check the Ableton's help pages](https://www.ableton.com/en/help/) and read the sidebar for [resource thread](https://redd.it/zkhqhe). while you await an answer.

Also we have a discord server where you can get help ---> https://discord.gg/WwNyH86

[BLM](https://redd.it/gxe35q). [SAH](https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/). [Pinkbook](https://www.pinkbook.us/).


r/ableton • • Jun 05 '26

What did you make in Live this week? / Feedback thread

5 Upvotes

Share what you've made in Live this week. Optionally, if you want comments/feedback on what you're sharing,

  1. Leave a useful comment on another person's post in the thread.
  1. Ask for specific feedback when you post in the thread.
  1. ??????
  1. **PROFIT.**

If you don't want to wait for the relevant weekly posts to share your creations, /r/madewithableton is linked in the sidebar.

We also have a discord where you can get feedback (after giving some of your own, of course) ---> https://discord.gg/WwNyH86

[BLM](https://redd.it/gxe35q). [SAH](https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/). [Pinkbook](https://www.pinkbook.us/).


r/ableton • • 44m ago

[Question] How do you make big reverb explosions?

• Upvotes

I've tried playing the notes early and sweeping a low pass up to the top but that doesn't give the effect I'm looking for. Wondering if anyone has advice. I know it's a kind of vague question, but if anyone has tips I greatly appreciate it!


r/ableton • • 13h ago

[VST] Made a tool that exports Ableton stems WITH your group processing in one click.

12 Upvotes

After about 10 years of using Ableton, this has been the one thing I could never figure out. Every time I had to stem out a project, for mastering or for a collab, it meant 30 minutes to an hour sitting at my computer soloing each track and exporting it. One at a time. Solo, export, wait, next.

Ableton's "Export All Individual Tracks" exists, but it renders every track before the group buses. All of the bus processing would be lost so the stems didn't sound like the mix. The only way to get accurate stems was the manual way.

I've lost more hours to that than I want to count.

So I built Stem Butler, a standalone app that connects and communicates witth Ableton. You open the project you want to stem out, launch Stem Butler, select your export settings and click 'Serve'. It drives Ableton for you, automatically soloing and exporting one track at a time. Every stem rendered through your full mix, named and numbered in one folder.

I've just launched a demo of the app for people to try it out.

What you need: Ableton Live 12, Windows 10/11 or macOS 12+, and Live's interface in English.

Sign up: 4artists.io/demo (you get the key and the download by email)

Honest notes: it's early software, so keep a backup of your project. During the demo the app sends me the export log of each run (track names, settings, timings, never audio) so I can fix problems fast. And Live has to be in English because the automation reads Ableton's menus.

I'm in the comments if you have questions.


r/ableton • • 2h ago

[Hardware] Note as interface for Move

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/ableton • • 2h ago

[Question] Switching From Reaper to Ableton

1 Upvotes

Looking for a recommendation for the most streamlined and best set of tutorials to get started with Ableton that isnt geared to the absolute novice that is just starting out with their first daw.


r/ableton • • 2h ago

[Question] What do you use Align Delay for?

1 Upvotes

I’m curious about that device; I like using it to offset two sounds playing the same melody—creating something like a "strum" effect—though I’m not sure if that’s actually what it’s intended for.


r/ableton • • 4h ago

[Question] Push Note Layout - Piano Accidentals

1 Upvotes

Hey friends, does anyone on this forum know how to set up custom note scale on the Ableton Push that in chromatic mode will illuminate the piano accidentals (only the black keys). I would love to see the pattern of alternating two and three accidental whole steps superimposed on the push's 64 pads in note mode.

As a musician and instrumentalist 1st, I always thought it was pretty silly on Ableton's part that they set up the push to illuminate scales in chromatic mode, but had no easily identifiable way to get around the pad layout in any key. For me, the piano layout of accidentals is a natural visual fit that would make it easier to think about navigating the push surface in a similar way to navigating a piano or guitar fretboard.

I have had this idea and wondered for a while, but today I get to the bottom of it! Does anyone have insight on how to accomplish this?


r/ableton • • 5h ago

[Question] My recording plays in ableton but is silent after export. Any help!

1 Upvotes

Anybody have a fix? Im routed to main. Im in arrangement. Im exporting to .wav.

Ive never had this problem recording with my acoustic. This is my first time recording my electric theough amp to scarlett interface. Please help!


r/ableton • • 5h ago

[Question] Max for Live devices for generative jungle and African/Latin rhythms?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I hope you're doing well and staying safe. I'm running Ableton Live 12 on macOS Tahoe. I'm totally blind. I use the VoiceOver screen reader on macOS to control Ableton. For more information on this, Google Ableton accessibility. With that said I am looking to turn Ableton into a generative groove box for live use. I would like to have a couple of drum racks: one to do jungle breaks generatively and one to focus on Latin/African rhythms. What Max for Live devices could I pair with drum racks to make both generative jungle breaks and Latin and African rhythms generatively? Also if there are any other ways to achieve this apart from using Max for Live devices, I'd be very interested to hear people's thoughts on what they could be. I'm just getting started with turning Ableton into a generative groove box so I have no real idea what I'm doing. Any help or thoughts would be much appreciated. Thank you very much for your understanding and input everyone 😊


r/ableton • • 8h ago

[Question] Live + Push + SP404mk2 routing question.

1 Upvotes

Idk why this is breaking my brain but it is.

Goal: use sp404 as external fx unit routed back to live as well as being able to use it as a sampler from turntable routed into live.

Current thibking:
-I have push 3 as main interface
-I run out from push to in of sp
-I then run out from sp back to push
-then my only thought here is to take rca from turntable to mono cable and plug into guitar input on sp

Is this the best way to go about it. should I just deal with moving cables around for needs or should I get a dedicated interface?


r/ableton • • 9h ago

[Question] Ableton lite

1 Upvotes

I searched, and I really can’t find it through this form. I purchased Ableton Lite, and I use it only for my acoustic guitar and voice. I’ve been searching for videos that explain the best way to use it for my needs, but every video I watch has way more information than I need. The farthest I would push Ableton is grabbing a vocal track and looping it, or using better vocals to create a song or finish a song. I’m curious if anyone has any suggestions on what to watch, as I’m able to show only the inputs of my guitar and my voice. But when it comes to editing and changing, all I do now is record 13 or 14 times, which I think is ridiculous. Does anyone have ideas for what would work best for a new user? I appreciate any input and apologize if this has been answered before.


r/ableton • • 9h ago

[Question] Fiddly Automation on Mac vs Win

0 Upvotes

Does anyone find pencilling in and hitting automation nodes much harder and fiddly on Mac in comparison to Windows?
For background I run Ableton 12 on both platforms and Windows feels much fluid.


r/ableton • • 10h ago

[Question] Does Ableton have holiday sales?

0 Upvotes

Been a FL Studio user for a while, but I'm realizing Ableton Live might suit what I'm doing more and went to go purchase it, but realized I might be able to save some cash if I hold off a few weeks.


r/ableton • • 18h ago

[Hardware] Considerations when buying midi controller with ableton suite

3 Upvotes

Hi all! I'm buying a midi controller as a beginner and after long consideration still doubting between choosing either the arturia keylab mk3 or the novation launchkey mk4. The prices for me are 470 euros for the keylab, and 245 euros for the launchkey. From what I gather, the differences to look out for are that the keylab's keybed is better and that it comes with analog lab (which otherwise costs 200 euros), while the launchkey's integration with ableton is better (but it isn't too bad on the keylab either). I have ableton suite already.

I was wondering if people could give me some better insight into

1) How much analog lab is worth as software (while already having ableton suite), or would it be better to spend the additional money of the price difference on other software myself.

2) I get that the launchkey is better integrated with ableton, but in reality, how tangible does this difference feel in your workflow? Does that mean that if I'd buy the keylab, I'd have a much harder time?

3) Other considerations are also welcome

Any input or recommendations are greatly appreciated!!


r/ableton • • 12h ago

[Max for Live] Windows 98 Sound Recorder Is Now a Sampler Looper for Ableton Live [free download]

1 Upvotes

It looks like the old Windows 98 Sound Recorder, but it’s actually a Max for Live device.

You can use it as a sampler by loading a file, or record directly from your microphone and explore the sample to create interesting loops.

Sound Recorder [max for live]

audio effects

One Recording, any speed

the speed know runs from x10 backwards to 10x forwards

random

a new speed on every press, play it in time and the tape turns into rhythm

the slider under the waveform

moves the whole loop zone along the sound

random jumps

leaps inside the zone, crossfaded, never a click

glide

speed slides from one value to the next, like a tape slowing down

The old version of the device is included in the download.

example: https://youtu.be/q6yJbPPRzWw


r/ableton • • 14h ago

[Max for Live] Real time variations between MIDI clips

1 Upvotes

I've been working on a companion app to Ableton with a small team the last couple months. It connects to Live via a M4L device and lets you steer between MIDI clips in your session in real time, so you hear variations in between as you move.

Quick screen recording of it in use: https://youtu.be/LI1YELDnSjk

It differs from randomising or sequencing as it's built on the idea of rhythmic expectation, so basically mapping out where you could anticipate a new note to land based on strong beats, weak beats e.t.c

Think there could be some fun applications for performing in session or view or even composing as well. It will likely be out early next year but if anyone’s interested in trying the beta let me know!


r/ableton • • 8h ago

[Question] Are there any new ways to run Ableton on Android? (tablet or phone)

0 Upvotes

With all the AI advances in terms of running native programs and games on android and browser, I was wondering if such was made easy this past months. I've been trying to do it with Winlator, but it needs a lot of tinkering, which I don't mind, if it didn't crash a lot.

Is anyone already working on creating a port, an apk or something alike to make it easy to plug and play?

Fyi: for everyone out of the loop, one of the most exciting things has been around a tiny 60 euro synth called M-Vave fm1, with battery and it's own speaker, that is being modded in all ways possible. You can find mods like Groove boxes, like Sloop, which let's you carry your own tiny DAW around and sequence wherever you want. It can also be used as a midi controller, which makes it perfect to carry around with your audio setup.


r/ableton • • 1d ago

[Performance] seeking help to make a live ACID midi synth without Sequencer ?

0 Upvotes

Hi ! I'm currently working on a bari sax techno project, and for some Live songs I would like to play some ACID lines (like TB303 lines) with an electric sax like an EWI.(l currently have a Yamaha WX5).

I started with an arpeggiator that gives me the repeating cycle without having to blow each note out, but the problem is that you can't have longer notes that breaks the rythmic cycle

(Takataaaa -takatakataaakataaaaaaa) as in the recent "that acid" sound from marie vaunt

I was thinking about a foot pedal to switch between short and long notes.

I've been looking a lot on internet and trying a lot of things on Ableton but I can't really find a solution that works fine, the note length option may have some chance of working but I couldn't really get it to work fine.

Well, I don't know if it was really clear, my English may be a little bit messy, but if anyone has a clue on how it could be done, I would love to hear your ideas, thank you for the reading !

Edit : Not really looking for a good sequencer as there is already a lot of them, but mainly looking to play live with a monophonic midi controller, without looping the track.


r/ableton • • 1d ago

[Question] Cue wont work when connected to audio interface

0 Upvotes

Photos to my settings in this link.

When i set up my Tascam Model 16 with ableton live i am not able to prelisten to samples.

I can listen to my synths and stuff and once i put the samples into my drum rack i can also play them but prelistening wont work.

All heaphon sympbols are blue and on the master the volume is on 100%.

unfortunaely i couldnt find anything on the internet regarding this so far...

Has anyone a clue what it could be?


r/ableton • • 23h ago

[Question] Pro Q 4

0 Upvotes

Been wanting Fabfilter Pro Q 4 & worried it’s going to make me completely reform all the songs I’ve been working on.

Should I just say f*** it & do it??


r/ableton • • 1d ago

[Question] Any Way to Force Pitch Bend?

2 Upvotes

(LIVE 11 STANDARD; MACBOOK)

Hey guys,

I always use the built-in pitch bend function exclusively for bass and/or instruments I know can be bent by Ableton without external effects/plugins. I mean the place in the clip editor, when you are on the music note button my default, and select the 3rd button (those 3 dots connected by lines) that allows you to manually adjust the pitch bends. Where you have the instrument/note lines to your right and pitch automation lines on them, that create little dots when you drag them.

However, now I have a synth that I want to bend this way, and the instrument itself is not compatible with this function - it just stays the same pitch. I was wondering whether there is a way to force it to? Like, to bend it just how I would do it normally, since it is important that I can see the keys and make it slide along them.

Can I do it somehow without external plugins? I adore this built in function and want to know if I can force-bend an instrument in this exact same section.

Otherwise, I'll have to use my brain unfortunately :)


r/ableton • • 2d ago

[Question] Why use return tracks and parallel compression?

34 Upvotes

I’d like to know if you use parallel compression in your mixes and why you do so, as well as return tracks such as reverb and so on. I know how to set them up, but I haven’t got into the habit of using them yet. I’d like to understand how they might be useful to me. Thanks for your comments

I make horror style DnB with very noisy sounds.


r/ableton • • 1d ago

[Max for Live] Anyone interested in testing a M4L collab tool?

2 Upvotes

I have been working on a M4L tool for collaboration between instances of Live. I am looking for folks to try it out. If you're looking for a way to collaborate with Ableton across long distance, please DM me.

FYI, this first iteration only supports 12.4.6 or newer on Windows. If testing this iteration goes well, I'll expand into MacOS and maybe older versions of Live.


r/ableton • • 2d ago

[VST] Finally finished that kick drum plugin from my Max for Live build

6 Upvotes

The time has finally come! Thank you again to everyone who has helped me shape and build this plugin over the past year <3 What started as a humble patch is now something I'm super proud of, and I wouldn't have gotten it to this state without you all!

You can download it for free here. (DM me once you set it up so I can upgrade your account to lifetime access)

Sharing a free link to play around with the plugin for all of you who supported, and if you want a copy of our future models, let me know! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and continuing to build fun things :)

@ admins - feel free to delete if too promo-y

https://youtu.be/ODV7fTO9Kp4?si=ZJHTwOMkkegEeFjg