4 Tips for LFO Users

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Ableton Cook up
November 13, 2024

In today’s newsletter:

  • 🗜New Linear Phase Mode in Ableton’s OTT

  • 〰LFOs in Ableton Live: 4 Tips and Tricks for Producers

  • 🤝🏻Enhancing Collaboration with Ableton Link

  • 🔐Unlock new creative horizons with Ableton Live 12’s new Tuning functionality

  • 🌍 Ableton Live Community Rachel K Collier’s Live Setup

  • ⚡[Workflow Trick] MIDI Mapping

🗜New Linear Phase Mode in Ableton’s OTT

OTT is Ableton’s multi-band compressor. It is widely used by producers of various genres to bring more punch, shape, and presence to whatever track it’s used on. Recently they added a “Linear Phase” mode. Here is everything about it:

Why should I use OTT in the first place?

Producers who use OTT say that it makes their sounds more “Thick, Defined, Shiny, Wide, and Present”. The plugin is widely beloved that the company Xfer Records created a stand-alone plugin for non Ableton Live users. OTT splits the audio signal into 3 bands allowing you to compress each band individually.

What is Linear Phase?

The fact that a multi-band compressor splits the audio signal of the track into 2 or more bands causes phase issues around the frequency of separation. The higher and more aggressive slope values happen to be in the separation between bands are, the more phase issues occur causing a high an uncontrolled frequency pump.

Pros of using Linear Phase Mode

Using the Linear Phase mode fixes the issue and assures little to no changes in the phase around the cut-off frequencies of the compressor. This actually happens by delaying all frequencies equally instead of only around the separation frequency, and so no pumps occurring.

New Update

The new 12.1.5b4 version of Live comes with an update to OTT with the enhancement of the aforementioned Linear Phase Mode. This means that the all powerful OTT is now even stronger. It’s a long-awaited enhancement by loyal users of OTT.

Check out this video to know everyhting about OTT (made before the update):

〰LFOs in Ableton Live: 4 Tips and Tricks for Producers

Before diving into LFO techniques, make sure you have the “LFO” device from Max for Live. You can easily find it in Ableton’s Browser under Max for Live > Max Audio Effect > LFO. Drag it onto any track to begin exploring modulation.

LFOs (Low-Frequency Oscillators) are incredibly versatile tools for adding movement and life to your tracks. Here are four creative ways to map LFOs in Ableton Live for more dynamic productions.

1. Map the LFO to Gain and Filter Cutoff

A simple yet effective trick is to map an LFO to both gain and the filter cutoff. By modulating gain, you can create subtle volume shifts that mimic a sidechain effect, giving the mix breathing room. Pair this with a low-pass filter cutoff, and you’ll get a sound that oscillates between dark and bright tones, adding depth to your track.

2. Add Movement by Mapping the LFO to Pitch

For extra motion, map the LFO to pitch, specifically the semitone control. This trick creates microtonal pitch variations or more noticeable pitch shifts, giving your sound a constant sense of evolution. Be sure to set a moderate LFO range to avoid jarring changes that could throw off the melodic balance.

3. Introduce Randomness to Drums with LFO on Delay Dry/Wet and Rate

One of the best ways to bring unpredictability to drums is by mapping the LFO to the delay’s Dry/Wet and Rate parameters. Modulating Dry/Wet lets you adjust the amount of delay applied, while tweaking the Rate shifts the delay timing. This randomization adds rhythmic variations that can make your drums feel more alive and engaging.

4. Automate Synth LFO Rate for Dynamic Filter Modulation

Try mapping an LFO to the filter cutoff of a synth and then automating the LFO’s rate. This approach allows you to control the speed of the modulation over time, creating evolving textures and movement. You can speed it up during buildups or slow it down for breakdowns, giving your track greater emotional impact.

These techniques will help you harness the full potential of LFOs in Ableton Live, adding depth, movement, and randomness to your productions. Start experimenting and watch your music transform!

LFO

🤝🏻Enhancing Collaboration with Ableton Link

In the world of music production, synchronization and collaboration are essential. Traditionally, working together with electronic instruments has posed challenges in achieving seamless timing. Ableton Link addresses these issues, providing a robust solution that allows musicians to play together effortlessly.

Ableton Link is a technology that synchronizes devices over a local network, eliminating the complexities associated with setup. This innovative feature is now integrated into Ableton Live and is also supported by a growing number of music software and hardware products. With Link, musicians can focus on their creative process rather than technical difficulties.

Operational Mechanism

The functionality of Ableton Link is straightforward. Musicians can connect their devices to the same network, enabling them to engage in collaborative sessions. Multiple devices running Link-enabled software can join the same session, allowing any participant to start or stop their part without disrupting the overall flow. Tempo changes can be made by any user, ensuring that all connected devices automatically adjust to maintain synchronization. This eliminates the need for MIDI cables and complicated installations, offering a seamless and fluid experience.

Versatile Integration

Ableton Link supports a diverse range of instruments and applications, making it an invaluable tool for collaborative music-making. Notable Link-enabled products include Arkestra, a powerful collaborative music tool that enables real-time composition and performance, and Pattering 3, which provides intuitive control over rhythmic patterns while maintaining tight synchronization with other Link-enabled devices.

IOS Apps

Link also connects to IOS Apps on tablets and phones. This flexibility enables producers to integrate their preferred tools and instruments, fostering a dynamic and creative environment. Here is the full products list that support Link.

🔐Unlock new creative horizons with Ableton Live 12’s new Tuning functionality

As producers, we’re always on the lookout for ways to break creative boundaries. Ableton Live 12 introduces a powerful new feature that will do just that: expanded tuning capabilities. This update allows you to explore beyond standard 12-tone equal temperament, opening up endless possibilities for crafting unique soundscapes.

Whether you’re producing electronic, experimental, or world music, the new tunings function gives you the flexibility to explore microtonal scales, alternative temperaments, and non-Western tunings. Imagine creating lush pads that resonate with ancient Middle Eastern maqams or designing cutting-edge beats using quarter-tone intervals that evoke futuristic, otherworldly emotions. With Live 12, you’re no longer confined to the limitations of traditional Western tuning.

One exciting option is adjusting the base frequency away from the standard 440 Hz. For example, shifting to 432 Hz can result in a warmer, more harmonious sound, believed by some to have calming and healing properties. Additionally, you can experiment with different pitch divisions. Instead of sticking to the 12-tone scale, try a 19-tone equal temperament scale for smoother, more fluid transitions between notes. This can give your melodies an entirely new character, making them stand out in a crowded musical landscape.

The tunings are fully customizable, giving you the freedom to import .ascl files or manually design your own tuning system directly within Ableton Live. You can even explore historical tunings like Pythagorean tuning for pure intervals or experiment with world music scales.

It’s important to note that the tunings functionality is currently only compatible with Ableton’s own devices, such as Wavetable, Sampler, and Simpler. This ensures that the tuning system works seamlessly with Ableton’s instruments, maintaining full integration and flexibility within your projects.

Check out this video from Ableton:

🌍 Ableton Live Community
Rachel K Collier’s Live Setup

Welsh electronic music producer and performer Rachel K Collier explains her impressive live setup using Ableton Live. Her live performances are famous for having catchy vocal loops and the integration of LFO’s, analog Synthesizers, and creative effects.

Collier's solo debut single "Predictions", was chosen as “Smash of the week” on BBC Radio 1Xtra in November 2013. Collier has a big social media following, she consistently makes videos about music production, her performances, music business, and more.

⚡[Workflow Trick]
MIDI Mapping

Map any button, knob, or slider in Ableton to a key, button, knob, or slider on your hardware MIDI controller. This lets you bring parameters from inside Ableton to the real world where you can physically tweak them.

How To Do It?

Click ‘Command + M’(Mac) or ‘Ctrl + M’ (PC) to enable MIDI mapping mode. Then simply click on the parameter you’d like to be controlled inside Ableton and physically move or touch the element of your MIDI controller that you’d like to be in control. You can delete that MIDI Mapping assignment by choosing it from the list of MIDI mappings on the left and hitting ‘Backspace/delete’.

MIDI Mapping

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