A4 with Ableton Push

barmyarmy · 2014-04-01T10:14:55.000Z

Hi guys, who is using these two together and how’s it going? I am loving the combination so far with one small exception. That is, I can’t use Push to set a trig note in grid mode, only in play mode (ie flashing record button). For my midi keyboard, I solved this by setting the keyboard to autochannel (ie 9)but I can’t work out how to do it for Push. Anyone got any ideas (by the way, when I solved it for my midi keyboard, I still couldn’t do poly notes with it - had to use the A4 keyboard for that).
Other than this I think it’s a great combination and actually, though it seems a little strange to say it, you don’t necessarily need the A4 sequencer that much as the Push one is pretty good and has P-locks etc, both for Live’s devices, and, via a new M4L device, for the A4’s too.
Anyway, would be interested to hear from others how you are using the two together. I’ve pre-ordered the AR too so looking forward to seeing how those will work together

avantronica · 2014-04-01T11:20:13.000Z

haven’t used that, nor live for years, but isn’t Live restricted to 1 midi channel, ie channel 1 …

barmyarmy · 2014-04-02T08:37:15.000Z

Thanks (again) for your reply avan
For anyone else who’s grappling with this - I did kind of sort it out in a way that will have to do until Overbridge comes along. I basically have four ext instr tracks in Live set to channels 1-4 so I can play midi with Push using the A4 voices. I then have another ext instr track in Live set to channel 9, with an audio track receiving from this one. In this track, as it’s set to 9, I can set trig notes on the A4 in grid mode, using Push. I can then record the sequencer into live as audio.

barryfell · 2014-04-02T16:29:22.000Z

""barmyarmy"":

Thanks (again) for your reply avan
For anyone else who’s grappling with this - I did kind of sort it out in a way that will have to do until Overbridge comes along. I basically have four ext instr tracks in Live set to channels 1-4 so I can play midi with Push using the A4 voices. I then have another ext instr track in Live set to channel 9, with an audio track receiving from this one. In this track, as it’s set to 9, I can set trig notes on the A4 in grid mode, using Push. I can then record the sequencer into live as audio.

That’s how I use it too.

lindhyrst · 2014-04-03T10:42:45.000Z

did you manage to do poly trigs from the midi keyboard in the end ?

barmyarmy · 2014-04-04T07:45:59.000Z

Hi lindhyrst - no, curiously I didn’t. But as I did manage it with Push, I just assumed it was an issue with the M Audio Pro keys 88 I am using, which is quite old. However, it would be great to be able to get poly notes on trigs in grid mode with the midi keyboard as well. I do have it set to auto channel (9) but still no poly notes…

lindhyrst · 2014-04-04T10:27:39.000Z

the keyboard shouldn’t be the problem, it sends note on and note off as every other midi keyboard. but who knows.
try routing it thru live. set the m audio as input on a midi channel and the port which is connected to the a4 as output on channel 9.

if that does not help you can use something like http://www.snoize.com/MIDIMonitor/ to investigate further

barmyarmy · 2014-04-04T20:10:21.000Z

OK thanks, I’ll try that

AshramMech · 2014-04-05T11:35:06.000Z

Push user here, I find it helps a lot when sequencing chords and ambient stuff in the studio. Using it as a drum sequencer is kinda great (easy polyrythms…), but it defeats the purpose of the elektron sequencer, especially the AR and MD.

To me it is a clone of the Elektron step sequencer, so it does not compliment these machines imho.

barmyarmy · 2014-04-06T08:44:06.000Z

""AshramMech"":

To me it is a clone of the Elektron step sequencer, so it does not compliment these machines imho.

Yeah I’m kinda getting that feeling too. It seems a lot more straightforward sequencing with Push, especially if we can still get P locks etc. I was attracted to the A4 originally by the thought of getting away from the computer screen but actually, with the A4’s tiny screen and all the different key combinations you have to remember, there isn’t a whole load of difference. What I do sometimes now is set up my A4 template in Live, then close my Macbook’s lid but keep it awake with the No sleep app - then just focus on playing push and the A4 for a while, then when I’m ready I open up the lid and edit

AshramMech · 2014-04-06T09:49:45.000Z

Yup, I use it this way too. You can also add a Program Change track to make sure your midi recording is “linked” to a specific pattern/kit.

One thing that wasn’t mentioned and that I realize now: sequencing the A4 using Push actually avoids sync/clock problems.

barmyarmy · 2014-04-06T11:44:03.000Z

""AshramMech"":

Yup, I use it this way too. You can also add a Program Change track to make sure your midi recording is “linked” to a specific pattern/kit.

Cool! how are you doing that exactly?

AshramMech · 2014-04-06T12:15:57.000Z

Insert a midi track (midi in: No input / midi out : Elektron A4 chan 16)

Create a midi clip in that track with Launch parameter set to “Gate” and quantize to “None”.

In Notes clip parameter, use the PGM selector to call for one of the 128 patterns (PGM1 =: A1 / PGM128 = H16).

That’s it, playing that clip will call the pattern instantly.

barmyarmy · 2014-04-06T13:02:45.000Z

Nice one Ashram, thanks - I will try that

OHEXOH · 2014-04-07T18:55:12.000Z

I don’t know, I still have some odd sync / clock problems. I currently have a track where Track 1 on the A4 has a delay on it. When I press Play in Live the delay is all messed up initially and takes a beat to get in sync. Doesn’t happen if I have a small lead in time.

I also remember that happening with some A4 patterns too when there was a lot going on at the start - almost feels like the A4 has to play catch up to the External tempo.

OH/

barmyarmy · 2014-04-11T17:34:41.000Z

""AshramMech"":

Insert a midi track (midi in: No input / midi out : Elektron A4 chan 16)

Create a midi clip in that track with Launch parameter set to “Gate” and quantize to “None”.

In Notes clip parameter, use the PGM selector to call for one of the 128 patterns (PGM1 =: A1 / PGM128 = H16).

That’s it, playing that clip will call the pattern instantly.

Hmm, I couldn’t get this to work and I’d really like to. Does the midi track need to be grouped with the others? Also, could you point me to the relevant part of the manual for this if you don’t mind? Can’t seem to find it!

AshramMech · 2014-04-11T21:23:58.000Z

Make sure your A4 is listening !

In the A4 global setup, under midi config, you will find midi channels. Here is set the midi channel for “PROG CH IN”. It is set to “16” by default, maybe you changed it ?

So your midi track should send program change messages (using clips) to that channel defined here. I make it over USB, should work the same with MIDI.

Hope you’ll work it out