(Part 2) Best products from r/ableton

The APC40 really won't help much if you are still so unfamiliar with the software. It is generally regarded as a controller for live performance, with something like the Push more geared toward actual production/studio experimentation. That's not to say it can't be used for production, but if you're struggling navigating Ableton with just a mouse and keyboard, the APC40 will probably just complicate things initially. I have an APC40 and have set it up to DJ with 4 decks and a mixer but have currently never used it as a production tool.

I'd recommend reading up on the differences between audio and MIDI, to start, and then reading the Ableton manual and doing the built-in tutorials. This book is a good read for when you're away from your computer. You'll want to learn the difference between Session and Arrangement view (a key feature of Live) and then start to develop a workflow to creating music that suits you best.

I'm not going to lie, even though the possibilities of what you can create and do in Ableton are ENDLESS, it can be daunting and overwhelming and seem like you have TOO MANY options sometimes. It just takes time. A lot of time, a lot of experimentation/practice in the software, and a lot of reading and research into all the different facets of electronic music production (compression, EQ, effects racks, drum racks, etc.) I've had Ableton for about 8 months now and I still consider myself a total noob and will be for quite some time. This subreddit is a good resource; you can also check out r/abletonlive and r/edmproduction, the latter for questions you may have that are less geared towards Ableton and more towards production in general. Have fun and keep at it!


Welcome to the rabbit hole.

Alright, so I just got my laptop (GS65-RTX 2060), and I've already unboxed it.

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Before I begin, I want to recommend these 2 peripherals: A laptop sleeve; and A laptop stand .Both of them are perfect for this beast.

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I had a lot of doubts about this laptop, before getting it, and I was still over the fence. But now that I have it in my hands, and am an owner, I know that this is the one for me. I am absolutely blown away by it. I saw it and used it in a store a few times, but having your own personal device, and really gelling with it, is something else!

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Right off the bat, the build quality is really solid. I know people complain about creaking and fragility, but my model is extremely solid. The screen is so buttery smooth, and the colors are extremely vibrant. The keyboard feels a little awkward at first, but once you get used to it, it's extremely satisfying. The touchpad, is extremely silky, and it's large area is very useful.

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I know the speakers have gotten a lot of flak, but I like them a lot. They are loud and very clear. They won't bring the house down, but I don't need them to anyways.

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If you want me to run any tests let me know :)

Ah. Something I can help with...

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So up until very recently I had a 2011 MBP running Ableton & I stuggled to use the program to its full functionality but I managed for years. The thing that changed teh game for me was I bought a stand that doubles as a fan.

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Something like this but shop around. I have not vetted that particular unit. Read the reviews and decide.

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I used to run my MBP via firewire to 2 RME800s + external hdd, run ableton & manage to record successfully with 2 screens running. The setup was not ideal, but I managed to get some work done. I avoided plugins like the plaque though & would mix and produce on my work computer.

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Also, I would leave the fan running throughout the day when I was at home. When I got home the computer was icy cold as a result. This extended my usage considerably.

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Cool beans. Hope this helps!!! Trust. It is possible to fix this (I have recommended this loads with great results)

>I've never been too wise on midi so I really don't know. it has a USB mini input I know that

A quick look in the manual says that you can address the elecrtibe over midi through the USB cable. You should be able to see it in your DAW as a midi device.

> is Ableton live really that superior to Pro Tools?

This is very subjective. Ableton's strength is the clip based workflow. Generating ideas in Ableton is a breeze. I feel that Ableton is unparalleled in this department. The arrangement view is just as capable as any other DAW, but it is my understanding that pro tools and logic may have the edge here.

> Also, if you have a license for Ableton Live installed on a desktop, could you also install it on a laptop?

Yes. Ableton's default licensing policy is to allow you to install it on 2 devices that you use actively. You aren't supposed to use them simultaneously though.

>How do you send the Ableton audio to Front of House? Just the headphone out jack?

This will probably be fine. You might want to get an adapter like this to be prepared to plug into most mixing boards: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP-153-Stereo-Breakout-Cable/dp/B000068O3C . You could also get an audio interface with will have quarter inch outputs for the left and right channels.

> how do professionals work from Pro Tools to Ableton Live?

From what I understand, professionals who use pro tools to produce and ableton to perform will mix their songs down to stems that they use in ableton. Maybe this is separate drum, bass, synth, and effects tracks. It really depends on what you want to do in your live performance that will dictate what you will want.

> The Electribe comes with Ableton Live Lite

Live Lite is pretty full featured, if you're just getting started you may not even need to upgrade yet.

For some reason Sweetwater site just doesn't load for me, but I'm sure google will help.

Based on what I've got from your post APC key25 seems like the best choice - 25 semi-decent keys + 40 pads for triggering tracks/clips + 8 knobs in one controller. I doubt drumming on keys will be comfortable, but its a start (:

Will probably get a separate pad for drums later down the line.

Many thanks!

I'd definitely suggest an M-Audio device. Akai makes great products, but from my experience, M-Audio's keyboards are better. The Akai MPKs tend to have issues, and the keys aren't as nice (unweighted, not full size). - Edit: oops, that's just the mini. the MPK25 looks pretty rad, but it's expensive.

I have the Oxygen-25, I linked the 49 key version cause it has so much more and it's only a little bit more expensive. If you want pads, like on the MPK, the Axiom line has that, but they're more expensive. It's basically what you want to spend.

I recommend going into a Guitar Center if you can, and getting a feel for the keys. You can get them for cheaper online than in the store, so go for that, and check out the Guitar Center Used section online, I got my Oxygen 25 for $50.

Also, if knobs is all you really want, Korg makes a nanoKontrol from the same line as your keyboard, but it's knobs, faders, and buttons rather than dinky little keys. There are a couple other brands that make something really similar to that, but Korg's is the cheapest I believe.

I've never tried Novation midi controller keyboard, but their UltraNova and Launchpad are amazing devices, so I assume that everything else is quality.

Another vote for the scarlet interface. As far as a controller, as the others have said, this depends on what you're interested in doing. I would recommend either the McMillen k board (has good ratings, good reactivity, and the soft keys can function well for a wide range of inputs. It is just a stripped down midi controller, no frills, no knobs. Supposedly indestructible and very low profile, small footprint.)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PRSMRVA/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_N.4TBb0BEJ5VK

Another option is an akai mpk mini. Feels a bit like old school casio entry-level keyboards, but it has both keys and a set of 8 pads. The pads are good and it's got some nice options for additional control of your DAW.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IJ6QAO2/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_Af5TBb712R4KB

I outfitted my entire studio (minus the push 2) for about 500 by getting equipment used off of amazon, offerup and craigslist. Be patient, get what you need to get started and spend most of your time learning your DAW and its core functions and stock plugins. Watch tutorials and read the manual. Experiment a bit and research when you run into an obstacle. Start with too much and you'll get overwhelmed quick. Take your time and you'll feel like a wizard.

edit: A quick afterthought. Both of these keyboards have smaller keys. If that's an issue, you may want to look at other options. I list both of these because they have good quality and versatility for the price, with a nice addition of being highly portable should you want to take your setup mobile.

I have these & love them:: http://www.amazon.com/M-Audio-BX5-D2-Monitor-Speakers/dp/B005F3H6Q8 but pretty much any of those listed will do just fine, if you get the 8s though you'll hear more lows, which would be good if you're making bass heavy music. The rokit5 that I tested seem to have boosted bass which I didn't like personally, but a lot of people love those monitors.

I've accidentally stumbled on these a few times but i'm glad to know they have a whole growing section devoted to it.

Also, this book is awesome, Well worth $10 --

http://www.amazon.com/Drum-Machine-Patterns-Leonard-Corp/dp/0881888877/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410552037&sr=8-1&keywords=260+drum+patterns

Ohhhh. Well, there are plenty of simple easy keyboard midi controllers that are not synths, so they are cheaper. (You don't need a synth 'cause Ableton has all you need.) I have one that is smaller, with just 4 octaves. If you play woodwinds I also have an Akai EWI woodwind midi controller which is a lot of fun.

Even Amazon has 'em.

I'm just a hobbyist, but have taken some music theory long ago. I found it rather difficult. lol! I've definitely watched some really great instructional vids on youtube. One thing I've learned is that song-writing is not just creative inspired art, but a skilled craft as well.

I actually bought this laptop on Amazon under 500 USD but refurbished. It runs pretty well and fast. Ableton boots up pretty fast. I have max for live synths running the CPU will reach around 20-35%. You should upgrade the RAM just as BeatsByVanity said. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Im OP's Brother and i had this proyect made for me, im goin to try and explain every detail of this. (gear list at the bottom)

the background of this proyect is a life full of cables and 4 trips to the car to get all my gear for my live sets (a real pain in the arss considering i needded to set up and set it down after i finished playing) not counting the roadtrips to gigs in other states.

i used to use 2 keyboard stands, 1 mic stand, 1 wood table to put on tom of one keystand and another spare table for my laptop then the gear on top of the wood now imagine all the cables 4 USBs (sometimes the cables not plugged at the correct USB slot, giving me problems 2 minutes before starting), 3 power cables and the audio master output.

2 times each night 2 or 3 times a week. for 2 years, i was starting to get really anoyed at the time someone asked me to play at a gig.

So I decided I nedded something to help me with this endlless carryng of things; after a lot of searching for flightcases and huge money prices i realized those cases would not fit my whole gear and started thinking and deciding what i needed, i got to a conclussion that it was a much bigger proyect for me to make DIY so a contacted a guy that specializes in carry cases, had multimple 1hour+ driving trip to his workshop and back until we got to a design that worked in real life.

i needed to have all my power plugs inside the case so y soldered a power conection (CPU like) with its own fuse to prevent electric blowups unto a 8 slot power multicontact, and had an Active USB HUB 3.0 so all my usb cables are pluged-in in one slot at my laptop (i choosed active hub because the data transfer limitation when the computer gives the electricity to the HUB.

everything is tight inside with hi quality velcro strips so y dont need to worry to desasemble my USB interface, laptop, etc..

Why I choose these gear and case?

As of Right now i have a 2 man band called The Twins MX, we play Live Looping Electro-House-Latin-Funk-ish.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTwinsMX/?fref=ts
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5qLkw7ooTNqARyUTQ7SaY8
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28yjL0MZoE1_JhIfVGj2JQ
Extra Vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJuQW9kGfsM

we base our shows in Live Looping and building our set up with Bass, Saxophone, drum and percussion Multichanel loops.


the way i have the midi routing is as follows

APC 40 - Channel 1-4 is for looping and controling the Bass
APC40 - Channel 5-8 is for looping and controling the Saxophone
Ableton Push - Channel 1-6 is for the Percucionand beats
1 Kick Drum
2 Snare Drum
3 Hi-hat or similar
4 Drums with effects
5 Shakers
6 Percution

Ableton Push - Chanel 7-8 for live-looping Piano and Synths

Launchey 49 MK2 - for playing piano and synth with effects racks form ableton
(i use the built in functions for ableton of the launchkey to control de 8 knob effects racks)


For the Audio Routing:
I use the NI Komplete audio 6 (works like a charm with the audio Buffering time)

IN - Channel 1 - Bass (tha bassist has his own station with Laptop, Audio Interface, midi controlers, he just sends me his master audio)
IN - Channel 2 - Saxophone
OUT - Master L R - The entire mix (having problem with this as the audio engeenir can not mix multichannel in the PA, im working on sending 2 more Mono channels aour of Outpu 3 and 4 of the audio interface).
Monitor Out ( i use this output channel for my headphones and have a metronome with all the mix so i dont get lost in reverberations or time delays of the venue)



The gear im using:

MIDI Keyboard: Launchkey 49 Mk2
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1140281-REG/novation_launchkey_49_mk2_usb_midi.html

MIDI Controler 1: Ableton Push 1
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910791-REG/ableton_86889_push_software_controller.html

MIDI Controler 2: Akai APC 40
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/598797-REG/Akai_APC40_APC40_Ableton_Performance_Controller.html

USB Audio Interface: NI Komplete Audio 6
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/768774-REG/Native_Instruments_21066_KOMPLETE_AUDIO_6.html


The Gear the Bassist use:

6 String Bass (to use as bass and as guitar-ish sounds with effects)

Midi Controler: Guitar Wing:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1029887-REG/livid_instruments_lvguitarwing01_guitar_wing.html

Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1251655-REG/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_2nd_gen_scarlett_2i2_usb_audio.html

Wind Instrument: Yamaha Pianica
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-P37D-37-Note-Keyboard-Instrument/dp/B002R7U6VM

Floor Pedal Board: Line 6 PODxt Live-Multi Effects
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/357143-REG/Line_6_99_060_0605_PODxt_Live.html




I Will be posting more info if you like just Ask!

So, you mostly got the answer you were looking for but I will take it a step further. I have one of these cords and it works perfectly. Plugs right into the back of my Midi controller (Push 2, and some keyboards) and into my Macbook 2018 without any adapter.

I bring this cord with me everywhere since it helps eliminate the need for an adapter. This is assuming you are using a USB controller.

Considering deadmau5 using Razer Blade, it should be good to go. But i suggesting you to check this; https://www.amazon.com/GL502VS-DB71-Full-HD-Gaming-i7-6700HQ-Windows/dp/B01K1INYD0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1481537841&sr=8-3&keywords=asus+gtx+1070+laptop

Cheaper than the Razer Blade better for gaming, Razer Blade have GTX 1060, Asus have GTX 1070 with G-Sync Monitor. Other parts are pretty much same.

Try a different adapter. There’s some cheaper ones that don’t do data and some that do. Official Apple ones will do the trick. There’s even some amazon basics adapters that don't work with data. Lemme dog for the third party I use that works well. One sec.

edit: found it https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015Z7XE0A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

> to capture MIDI you need to plug your instruments in via USB port or something similar.

Some midi devices (especially older ones) do not have USB ports, but instead one of these kinds of connectors. To interface them with a machine, you need a USB<->MIDI converter, like this.

That being said, yes, the Audio interface won't also have a midi interface. Some of the older ones do, but the newer ones generally don't.

Have the same laptop and the same issue. Sent it into apple and they replaced the bottom case and the logic board. Didn't really fix the issue although it's better than it was. They only charged me for the bottom case which was nice. Check activity monitor to see if any other process are running, I had to deal with spotlight always trying to index for some reason. Do a NVRAM and SMC reset if you haven't already. You could also try a cooling stand.

https://www.amazon.com/Kootek-Laptop-Cooling-Cooler-Adjustable/dp/B01469DJLM/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1555004520&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A4018934011&s=pc&sr=1-1

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I'm hesitant to upgrade to the new MBP's since there are a few unaddressed issues with audio and using audio interfaces with thunderbolt 3.

These are much nicer than adapters: https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Printer-USB-C-Black/dp/B00VKSF39O/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=usb+c+to+b&qid=1555088679&s=gateway&sr=8-3

I recommend the Focusrite Scarlett Solo

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Focusrite-Scarlett-Audio-Interface-Tools/dp/B01E6T56CM/ref=sr_1_3?adgrpid=52344812839&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI09bn77yI4gIVmpntCh0npAupEAAYASAAEgJIEfD_BwE&hvadid=259009319979&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9045811&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2358800747590215154&hvtargid=kwd-296174367759&hydadcr=27279_1732162&keywords=focusrite+scarlett+solo&qid=1557199686&s=gateway&sr=8-3

I have the 1st generation version.

Xlr cables are for audio. You need a midi (HMIDIG-6) to USB cable or a midi cable and a female to USB adaptor since the focusrite doesn't have a midi input.

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/SANOXY-Cable-Converter-Keyboard-Window/dp/B0017H4EBG

If you only want to use the keyboard for controlling software, you'd only need the one cable.

For live sound, you'll need some sort of USB audio interface, one of these, that have some sort of monitor out. This will act as a digital to analog converter from your laptop to the house PA for the highest quality audio. It will also give you an input to either DI your guitar, or mic it or a speaker cabinet. You'll also want something to trigger your loops and and adjust things on the Ableton side, but I'd have to know a little more about what you are looking for on that end.