Tips

This Ableton Live tutorial looks at using sends and returns. Read more…

Ableton Forum user autogen compiled this list of shortcuts and tips for Ableton Live users.

Live shortcuts & alternative controls for certain functions. PC users substitute ‘COMMAND’ with ‘ALT’ and ‘ALT’ with ‘CTRL’.

1. Duplicate = COMMAND+D.
2. Disable Grid = COMMAND+4 (or hold COMMAND whilst selecting note or note start/end).
3. Select Looped = COMMAND+SHIFT+L.
4. Resize/Move Loop braces = cursor keys or COMMAND+cursor keys.
5. In arrange view loop selected = COMMAND+L.
6. In arrange view consolidate multiple selected clips = COMMAND+J.
7. Playback from current position = SHIFT+SPACEBAR.
8. Trigger selected clip slot = RETURN.
9. Switch Clip/Track view = SHIFT+TAB.
10. Move clip from session to arrange & vica versa = Click and hold on clip then press TAB.
11. Stop focus moving when triggering clips (all clips) = In prefs > Record/Warp/Launch > Select on Launch > select ‘off’.
12. Stop focus moving when triggering clips (selected clips) = CTRL+Click desired clip > select ‘Select on Launch (Pref)’.
13. Preferences = COMMAND+,.
14. Adjust all track widths = hold ALT while adjusting.
15. Record Enable Track = F9.
16. Slower response while changing track levels = Hold COMMAND while moving fader.
17. Show hide plugin windows = COMMAND+ALT+P.
18. Stop browser preview = ESC.
19. In browser alternate navigation/previewing = left & right cursor keys.
20. Zoom to loop = Click on the word “length”.
21. Zoom to position = Click on the word “position”.
22. Zoom out 100% = Double click the bottom clip overview tab.
23. Zoom to specific portion = Use start and end of bottom clip overview like loop braces.
24. Alternate scrolling in MIDI clips = COMMAND+ALT+Drag.
25. Show/Hide overview in session view = COMMAND+ALT+O.
26. Show/Hide Info View = SHIFT+/.
27. Mute/Unmute tracks 1-8 = F1-F8.
28. Time compress/expand MIDI notes = right-click with all notes selected then select ’stretch notes’.
29. Insert silence in arrange view/scene in session view = COMMAND+I.
30. Drag multiple files to individual tracks = Hold COMMAND whilst dragging files in.
31. Unfold all arrange tracks = ALT+Click a track arrow icon.
32. Alternative velocity control in MIDI editor = COMMAND+Click note+drag.
33. Duplicate note in MIDI editor = ALT+Click note+drag.
34. Render tracks as individual files = In render dialog change “Master” to “All Tracks”.
35. Assign twice as many qwerty keys to live = SHIFT.
36. Restrict automation point movement to vertical axis = COMMAND+Drag.
37. Scroll drum racks 1 row at a time = COMMAND+Drag.
38. View multiple plugin windows = In prefs > Look/Feel > Auto-Hide Plugin Windows > select ‘off’.
39. Edit info text for tracks and devices to make notes = CTRL+Click > select ‘Edit Info Text’.
40. Create note with draw mode off = Double Click.
41. Remove stop buttons to avoid clips stopping when changing scenes = Select clip slot > COMMAND+E (or enable ‘Legato’ launch mode).

General Tips

• Hidden buttons visible when in midi or key assign mode = scene up/down (in master track).
• per track play button – launches selected clip in track.
• Entering bpm in the scene launch buttons title sets bpm when launched.
• Click the headphone icon in midi editor to enable vertical keyboard to preview related sound.
• While MIDI synced to external machine hosting Live ALT+SPACEBAR on the sync slave causes it to sync to the masters current song position. (remedy for sync drifting without stopping and starting).
• Remember to experiment with the default live rack presets especially the DJ/Performance ones.
• GIGA libraries can be exported to Sampler then deleted (if required), as all samples are copied to the library.
• Mac users check out a free app called Soundsource. It adds an audio prefs selector to the menu-bar.
• OSX Function keys = ALT+F1/F2 opens Display Prefs, ALT+F3/F4/F5 opens Sound Prefs, ALT+F8/F9/F10 opens Keyboard & Mouse Prefs.
• When a new version of Live is released. Open Info Window (SHIFT+/) and hover any new parameters, fields or preferences.
• Multiple tracks can be selected and frozen simultaneously.
• Drag and drop tracks directly from iTunes for DJing.
• Dragging a sample onto a plugin instrument will replace the instrument with an instance of Simpler containing that sample.

This Ableton Live 8 tutorial looks at using the Sidechain Gate on synths and drums.

via PrimeLoops

This video demonstrates how to emulate a scratch-style effect in Ableton Live 8 using the new delay Modes in Live’s Ping Pong Delay.

This is not meant to replace vinyl nor will it produce a totally authentic sounding scratch sound, but it is a Ableton Live only solution and is a nice add-on to your effects arsenal.

You can download the template at dubspot.