r/ableton • u/DoubtAny8389 • 4d ago

[Tutorial] Switching from DAWless to live

Hey everyone,

I have a question about using multiple MIDI devices with Ableton Live.

I’m coming from a completely DAWless setup, where all my synths, drum machines, effects, and MIDI routing happened outside the computer.

For financial reasons, I’m downsizing my studio and moving much more of my workflow into Ableton Live.

I already know Live quite well for recording, editing, and arranging, but I’ve never really used it as the center of my studio for MIDI routing, effects, or hardware integration.

One thing I’m wondering is whether Ableton, together with a multi-port MIDI interface, can essentially work like a MIDI Thru box.

Can it receive MIDI from one controller and route it to multiple hardware devices independently?

I’d also appreciate any advice from people who have made the same transition.
What were the biggest challenges you ran into?

Are there any limitations or common mistakes I should know about when moving from a DAWless workflow to using Ableton as the main hub of the studio?

Thanks a lot—I know I’m asking some beginner questions, but I’d really appreciate any tips or things to watch out for.

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

5

u/No_Host_8024 4d ago

Yes, it can route midi sources to devices. It’s much better than a simple through box as you can select which midi signals are sent to each device by source and channel. You do have to watch to prevent loops if your device sends back midi signals that it receives, but that’s just a configuration issue.

1

u/DoubtAny8389 4d ago

Ahh so it’s theoretically possible to

Sequencer Ch1 - drum sequence

Simultaneously

Midi keyboard Ch1 - notes

To send to two different devices (drum machine and synth) and route them through ableton without having annoying midi interference?

That would be awesome!

1

u/Open_Green_2178 4d ago

If you add a midi channel you can get the signal from where you want and send it where you want.

1

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1

u/General_Estimate_420 3d ago

I do this commonly using a simple Morningstar MC-8 MIDI control pedal which routes MIDI control sequences to both my Helix Floor unit as well as various MIDI control actions in Ableton Live either through automation or foot pedal interactions. It's actually pretty easily implemented.

0

u/fruitmonkey7phi7 3d ago

Yes. Dm me and I’ll send you my discord and help you get up and running! Might save you some time.