Get Creative with External Audio Effects in Ableton // I do this on almost all tracks

[@lukeelderkin]

Pro-tip: when printing or routing a return effect to an audio track in Ableton, you need to right click on the destination audio track and select "disable sends" in order for Live to correctly compensate for latency.

[@mnarch2273]

OMG thank you so much! I've been trying to fix the pedal latency for 3 days, since the Hardware Latency parameter didn't seem to affect my recordings. This was the solution to it!

[@MrGiulianeddu]

Hey @lukeelderkin ! Thanks for the tips. I can't find "disable sends" when I right click on the audio track in Live 12. The option doesn't exist anymore ? Thx a lot !

[@MrGiulianeddu]

All right ! I found it :D

[@yoniglasius4737]

@@MrGiulianedduwhere is it?😅

[@BranoMacko]

I have to say, I love how much thought you put into lighting, camera angles and video editing. You expect a good acoustics, nice mic, lots of know-how from a professional like you. But this adds extra level of professionalism and most importantly - trust. Hats off to you for that 🙏

[@crifox16]

i've probably said it before, but you REALLY should stream yourself making house live or upload one of your old sets, vibes for days and i think i'm not alone in saying that. also getting close to 100k! congrats!

[@RickyTinez]

Thanks for the support crifox! And maaayyybbbeeee haha

[@kri8beats778]

100k surpassed!

[@Wolfbabypuppylove]

Ricky always a pleasure to hear your relaxing approach.

[@RickyTinez]

Always a pleasure having you around Patrick!

[@Kkidzz]

Buddy, you always seem to dig in to subjects that are on my .... ‘Figure It Out’ list. 😉

[@RickyTinez]

ahaha Happy to help :)

[@ReedDNB]

I was thinking the same thing. His approach to music production is a joy to watch. Thank you Ricky!

[@kri8beats778]

Same here, on some telepathy shit!

[@partsproject]

Thanks for being you. Always a nice place to hang out. This channel sets a good tone to bring to any project. No stress just curious and easy going. Positive. This always helps me, whatever I'm working on.

[@sapiotone]

Always a joy to watch, listen and learn from you, Ricky! I was working exclusively ‘in the box’ for 5 years, since my gf moved in and objected to the “Millennium Falcon flight deck” in the living room. Reduced to a 1210, S4, Push1 and my laptop, since October I’ve been incorporating hardware again and these videos on working with Ableton and externals have REALLY helped! Thank you. Good health, harmony and success for ‘21, man!

[@JayKaufman]

Ricky, the last few videos you've done on Abelton have been killing it man! I've looked at probably close to fifty videos regarding latency in Ableton alone (like you, I have a mostly hardware-based studio) and they didn't explain it well or show it well at all. Then you come back with this and showing how you can use audio routing to your advantage via external FX. These are invaluable tutorials.

[@RickyTinez]

Jay, thank you so much for the kind words! I'm happy that you found this vid helpful. Thanks for being a subscriber as well, best of luck with the studio!

[@ElectroMagnetic_AmbientMusic]

aaahh Ricky this is just great, now I can filter my digital sounds with my monotron delay... new horizon opens up! thanks so much

[@IhorMedia]

Congrats with 100k on KZbin, man! Such an amazing channel! You inspired me a lot this year to make music and I even started my own KZbin 😊 And I’d like to genuinely say “Thank you, Ricky”! Happy New Year!

[@rnedp760]

Hate to post one of those 'so I was just thinking about this and then your video showed up' comments but I was just thinking about this and then your video showed up. And it's great to see your workflow as always.

[@RickyTinez]

Haha hell yes! Great minds :)

[@edwardprue]

I recently upgraded from an OS X 10.8 laptop to a new Mac Mini with macOS 10.15. One of the benefits was finally being able to use the computer interfaces included with various pieces of gear I bought in the past that didn't support OS X 10.8. I have Roland AIRA EFX boxes, and have been having a great time printing "FX performances" to tracks in Ableton, so that I can mix a variety of FX sounds with the original audio (including external instrument tracks). It's awesome! The other night, I ran an 0-Coast through a Boomstar SEM filter into Live, sent that out to the AIRA Bitrazer for sample-rate reduction and recorded that (separate from the original audio, like your "2nd way"), then sent the SRR sound back out through the Bitrazer to add a little bitcrusher noise and SRR high-end sheen with that nice Bitrazer filter in high-pass mode. Officially "superfun"! Thanks for posting, I really appreciate your whatyado.

[@rudkx]

You can also use something like the Radial EXTC-SA to fix the impedance and level mismatch using the pedals with the line output of the audio interface. Not sure if it’s worth the $$$ to do so, but it should help avoid any clipping and/or fidelity issues.

[@muaddib667]

I'm in that boat but think I can use my boss looper as a buffer and forgo the reamp box. If not the Palmer daccapo one looks like a good deal.

[@spiegelkind2387]

Your mouse/keyboard both produce such satisfying sounds I kinda wanna sample those

[@ChanellCrichlow]

Is there a video where you talk about you patch bay set up and equipment?

[@MrRudePolite]

I have a Scarlett 6i6 and I’m pretty sure this is a technique I’ve used with that, quite a few times. I definitely remember the gain staging and phasing being a huge consideration. I was throwing bass plug-ins through guitar overdrives and using my line 6 dl4 pedal

[@latenighttv3306]

Been looking for a channel like this, I feel like I'm learning and experimenting WITH you! Keep it up :)

[@RickyTinez]

Hell yeah! Thanks for coming by and sticking around.

[@patbreacadh]

Even what you call a cheesy track has great vibe imho. You are a master of House Music, Mr Martinez! 🔥🔥🔥

[@rossredman]

Watched this last night... and came back this morning juuuust to see if you cracked 100k. Congrats, and thanks for the awesome vids!!!

[@DougieLDN]

Congrats on the 100K bro - love to see it!

[@ivangonekrazy]

Ever since you did your Microcosm video, I've been looking for it on your desk.

[@BaileyHeredge]

Didn't even know there was an eternal audio effect rack. Be quite useful for my ZOIA maybe. Nice bro

[@cesarvilla1422]

You said the song was wack AF I was jamming out to that 🤘

[@NutritionalZero]

Zen Delay is really great here. Love it, so vibezin’

[@mrmusic9892]

Wow the classic JV1080....thanks Ricky Ticky....love your videos.

[@jimlampshady]

Nice 1 fella - can't believe I've not noticed it before because it's freakin huge, but that LG monitor looks awesome and an absolute no-brainer for anyone working with a DAW. I want one.

[@grantfloering]

I've been trying to find an efficient workflow with all of my external gear and THIS IS the golden ticket guys. Cheers Ricky, thanks for the top-notch content.

[@yourcitysleeps]

Oh man I was wasting an input on the back of the octopre when I could just go through the front port! Thank you Ricky!

[@marantz1]

Great video this week, really like seeing your approach to this sorta thing.

[@_functionless]

Sounds great Ricky! Your channel is crushing dude!!!!!

[@muaddib667]

Literally the same week I started using external audio effect! Think I need a reamp box though as I'm using guitar pedals and the output from the interface is line level but pedal expecting instrument level.

[@BottleBass1977]

Probably a good idea. Guitar pedals can be a bit finnicky about levels. I've used a Palmer D'accapo with some success. The reamp box will need a dedicated *balanced* line out of the interface to be useful. I've thrown all kinds of stuff through a reamp box - great for instrument effects but no reason why you can't use it on other stuff like drum sends or even in a vocal chain (tip: use a gritty guitar or bass amp combo and mic up the speaker with mic's at different distances for some interesting/natural reverb)

[@muaddib667]

@@BottleBass1977 yeah all of the interface outputs are balanced but I have a spare boss looper and from what I can tell I can use that as a buffer instead of a dedicated box but will have to experiment.

[@bluen1]

These cords are amazing

[@drtchock]

thank you! i was trying to figure out how to record just the wet signal.

[@sagebonfield3895]

Congrats on 100k!

[@fliptheflunk]

Eeeyyy! Congrats on 100K!

[@ThomasNordlund]

The External Audio device has a built-in latency compensation control. Just track something though it, measure the latency in ms and specify the difference in the device.

[@sleepisoptional]

if you use the hardware latency box set to samples and really dial it in (match levels, flip phase, find null) you get control over wet/dry delay compensation is one of the most misunderstood concepts in ableton live

[@fakshen1973]

If you don't have external gear, you can do this with a plug in. Just record the output to audio and use any kind of controller you have. It works well with a multifx processor plug-in. Put your producer hat on, then create a bunch of sample fodder.

[@Fatal_Jinx]

Gratz on 100k subs 🙏

[@BottleBass1977]

Some interesting and useful stuff here. I've had some success with re-sampling / re-amping instruments and effects using this technique. IME time-based effects like delays and reverbs work best at line level straight from the interface, as these types of pedals are generally designed to sit in a guitar amps' FX loop. Other effects like distortions/flangers/octavers etc that are designed to sit on a pedalboard and connect to a guitar directly really *really* don't like a hot signal and clip extremely easily. One way around this is to use a dedicated "re-amping" box like the Radial ProRMP or the Palmer D'accapio. These have the added advantage of ground lift (important in getting rid of ground loops etc) and level/impedance control over the output to the effects. Definitely worth it if you wanna take the feed into an actual amp/speaker combo and mic it up for more colour. Lots of scope for experimentation!

[@byzero5276]

Thanks dude. Would love to see a video on gain staging in general as well. Seems to be an under represented topic.

[@verbmusics]

Nord Electro back there? Would love to see you mess w that w pedals

[@tonalaxis]

Cool tips! The extra outputs on my Scarlett 18i8 actually help me get audio out from my DAW and back in through my FX.

[@andreaseinsiedler3538]

Nice Vibe! I really enjoy your relaxed ways. Keep up the good work! Actually all this external effects/latency/dry/wet/phasing madness has been my rabbit hole over the last couple of weeks and i would love to help you all to get to the bottom if it! TLDR: For Live 10, couldn't test 11 yet: If your feel that latency gives you troubles, External Effect Plugin is not really suited for the way it is used here. Use the main routing section directly on the track or on an send channel for the external output. The monitor switch on the recording channel has to be OFF! Use separate channel(s) with the input switch to IN for monitoring. The long Version: Disclaimer: I'm still on ableton 10, so i dont know if they changed stuff around with 11. What i found is, that the external effect plugin is not really suited for this use. For time based FX (Echo,Reverb,Chorus, etc.) that get recorded 100% wet its actually not that critial. But as soon as you record some dry signal or non time based effects (Wah, Distortion, etc.) it gets real phasey. The external effect plugin is meant for a render or real-time freeze operation. Recording the input on another channel really messes things up because of the automatic delay compensation. The way it works for me is to route the track directly to the external out, or via an send that is routed to the external out. The monitor switch on the channel where you record the input has to be OFF because of the way ableton hides delay compensation options inside of this switch! Use separate channel(s) with the input switch to IN for monitoring. That is actually what the guitar guy, Ricky mentioned in another video was all about. --> kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoWYnndoj8lqfJo&ab_channel=SeedtoStage I actually do it a bit differently and use my external mixing desk for monitoring and as a kind of patch bay (some insert jacks wired as direct outs to my soundcard Input, aux sends to my soundcard input or to a reamp box for guitar pedals / amps, and DI Boxes for instruments and guitar pedal returns). Find out for yourself: Live actually comes with a handy live-set already set up with all you need and its called driver error compensation. You can find it in the help section. It comes with some explanations also. To really get rid of phasing you actually have to do the driver error compensation. You basically just patch an output straight to an input and record a simple waveform (like a tom sample) and then you compare the waveforms on the timeline and measure the latency. Sample volume can be really helpful for comparing. And you need to zoom in to see the indivual sample points to get it really dialled in. In the Driver Error Compensation Box click on ms to switch to smp. Its much more accurate. Rinse and repeat till it lines up as good as possible. After you did driver error compensation you just go through all the various ways you can patch these things up in Live (like done in this video) and also try out the In-Auto-Off Switch to see what really happens. And man, be prepared, because its really all over the place! Its gets shifted around couple of milliseconds depending on the route you take. Automatic delay compensation gets real complicated real quick. If you dare, find out more about plugins that add delay, recording live instruments and what the option "reduced latency when monitoring" does. Its a really deep rabbit hole! I've been down there. Let me know if you want to know more.

[@skyreadersociety6183]

thx! started to build a eurorack FX (analog + digtal FX) rack after realising that external FX add s.th that I missed, I'd say it's happy accidents and a more organic sound, esp. with analog FX.

[@_greenleader]

Amazing as always, you deserve mogami cables!

[@zzirjukez2899]

Almost at 100k subs happy new year Rickey. You inspired me to get a drumbrute impact and ima be pumping some techno bangers out soon✌🏻

[@pk3776]

Always an inspiration Ricky 🙏

[@256k_]

ahhh the zen delay.... my holy grail pedal

[@ремдигга-в7щ]

THANKS !!!

[@fred4276]

so close to 100k bro x

[@ooodilin]

Love these vids on how you're using the external effects etc, the one you did the other day with the MIDI clock latency was a game changer for me and I really want to thank you for that! What patch is that on the JV that you are using? I've been considering getting some of the expansion cards for ages but they cost a fortune. Thank you again for all the knowledge, keep up the great work!

[@smiggins12]

Listing to your videos helps me keep focused when I'm sketching.

[@fresh6989]

I bought the zen delay after your video about it, to use in ableton, and kinda generally figured out this approach, but this simplified it in my head a lot and now I’m super inspired to groove with this thing some more. Can you demonstrate how you’d use the zen delay with a Machine if you have one? Thanks bud

[@joneslego3645]

so you dont need a reamp box or DI box when sending to the guitar pedal and back into the interface? just have to make sure it's not clipping?

[@drewll4897]

Dropping gems. Ty

[@audunkvam9009]

Hi @Ricky! I use the same Clarette 8 Pre. What settings do you use in Focusrite Control, and what specific output you use on the back? Please help, I only get my main out sent to the microcosm.

[@yoniglasius4737]

Hi, i have the 18i20 mk3 too, and i’m really struggling with routing Focusrite Control. I have a Sherman Filterbank 2 which i want to use in Ableton, but i just cant get it working properly in Ableton.

[@bouguification]

The day I found External Audio Effect I felt so stupid, because I was needlessly using some overly complicated routing through TotalMix to achieve the same thing. Well not the same thing. You can put EAE anywhere in your fx chain in a sec, and that's very cool.

[@icodejs]

Hey Ricky, love your videos. Random question, but what size monitor are you using? I wanna downsize from a 32" and that monitor looks perfect.

[@crazyFrankyy]

Another video, instant but big like !

[@kellerflavour336]

Hi Ricky,i have an issue with the Zen Delay as an external effect rack.i use stereo cable and my in and outs are also stereo but my signal back is not stereo,when i close the external device in ableton the file is stereo,when i put it back on it’s not stereo - mono.🤷🏻‍♂️ i cant figure it out.

[@StevenRayMorris]

I love how all these demonstration tracks you hate on are absolute bangers. 💖

[@sunnykataria23]

hey buddy nice video , quick question , i need to route the send returns to my mixer , i have 6 fader channels and 2 return channels and all 6 fader channels have aux 1 and aux 2 , do i have to use external audio effets what u explained here to activate my mixer send returns ? my midi is xone 2 , two pieces . and push 2 for abelton , and traktor for djing .

[@Smoothhh_One]

Is there any way to solo or just play the wet signal during playback and recording? I can’t figure out how to do it for the life of me.

[@elyot4010]

Man, I need a patch bay. I've run out of inputs having to unplug and replug a lot now

[@bluehole6019]

Definitely get one, it’s a lifesaver.

[@rico1979]

100k.. Congrats! :) Always a pleasure watching your videos! :) If you want the old view ( with audio effects and instruments list ) click on audio effects or instruments and then in the list right click -> group in folder But you need the latest beta for that

[@RickyTinez]

Thanks Richard, for the kind words AND the tip! Thats huge

[@rico1979]

@@RickyTinez No problem :) Thank you for your content

[@johncitizen8828]

Hey @Ricky - what skin are you using on your Ableton UI? Looks really crisp and clear.

[@MtBoMbEr3]

god your videos are so fucking dope and great quality. just watching your process is inspirational.

[@RickyTinez]

Jeremy, you are too kind! I appreciate you a lot. Thank you so much for the support and hanging out

[@DhrSchwanz]

Dude this is so useful, thanks!

[@Kyle-xk4ke]

Hey Ricky, for some reason I cant get the external effects plugin to work. Im sending my signal from ableton out via the Reamp function of my Arturia Audiofuse. Then I run a TS cable (could this be an issue) to my external chorus and then back into Input 1 on my audiofuse. When i play the audio from ableton through the plugin I never get any audio meter for the return track, only the send. Any tips or insight would be very helpful (Ive been on multiple forums and this seems to be a common problem) Many thanks in advance and carry on with the great Videos you provide us with regularly :)

[@peaterrepeater4441]

this is why even a small outboard mixing desk can make your live much easier.

[@xchump]

Can I do this with my Audient id44 audio interface?

[@JamesRamboPearce]

I tried this, but do you need a preamp/reamp to do this? I couldn't for the life of me figure it out on my 8i4!

[@RickyTinez]

nah, should work properly. if you weren't hearing anything at all it could be some focusrite control setting for the output you had. make sure they're set approriatly (line out 3/4 -> DAW 3/4)

[@2morningz]

Love the creativity - I knew about this mainly for re-amping. But - Geezer Mode! I’m so old I forgot where that was....

[@MrRudePolite]

What was he calling geezer mode? Was looking away during that part

[@2morningz]

@@MrRudePolite if I’m not experiencing the Mandela Effect - he zoomed the display in preferences. 15 years and a few monitors since - total geezer here.

[@sonychoi]

hi ricky does this work on the Scarlett 2i2 :) i have an external effects processing hardware i'd like to use on my tracks on ableton but i can't seem to get it working without very crazy feedback. sorry i'm a noob

[@21jajego1]

I cant deal with feedback loop on Clarett 2pre usb using external pedal effects.

[@landonh3535]

My dude i feel like im missing which video where you explain how you monitor synced hardware in ableton. Im trying that setup with an ERM and i get more latency if the track monitoring is In as opposed to off. For now i monitor through my mixer since i cant figure this out. Not sure if you spoke on this or not in a vid?

[@RickyTinez]

What's up Landon, this is probably my most recent video on latency which you can find here. -kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmbSY3V_qM6abc0 I almost always have my monitoring set to IN/Auto rarely off. With that, i tune my midi latency using the ERM to land perfectly when i'm recording IN/AUTO (they have the same latency) OFF will always be less latency no matter what, you just can't hear the audio (duh haha) So you can try having to audio tracks. one off and one in so when you're ready to record you record into the off one to avoid latency. but that's not why you buy an ERM! you buy it to solve problems right?! haha.

[@fred4276]

can u do a compact creations soon please, i cant get enough of them! would love to see the avalon back in action

[@sunnykataria23]

also if you can help me with the routing like in a class id love to do that today or tomorrow , please let me know

[@bloodyproduce]

A perfect monitor for music making..

[@G_handle]

Yo, dope ass video as always. I don’t know Ableton, but you should be able to setup Delay Compensation like any other DAW. Look up hardware inserts or manual offsets, but to send a track out of your interface, process, then back into your interface, and re-sync the two, that’s been a solved problem for years. Automatic delay compensation does it now, but setting it up manually back in the day and onto a new track, that should work in Ableton. Then you Absolutely can mix the Wet/Dry without the phase cancellation mess.

[@rorylee9626]

Hey v important question, how do you record the effects while playing the whole track without the whole track making it's way into the effect send? Like I'm trying to add reverb to my snare and I can't without just soloing the snare. Which means i can't really tell whats going on in the rest of the track. do you know what I mean?

[@ckrug32]

Awesome video. I was under the impression that I'd need a re-amp box to record with external effects. Does this method and the re-amp method essentially achieve the same result? Are there pros and cons to each method?

[@XanderOwls]

wondering this too

[@AGVersace100]

Perhaps you are the right guy for this question I have been asking myself for years now. Within house music(don't know what the sub-genre is called) it is common to take one minor 7th chord shape and move it higher or lower. It bugs me out because it will eventually go out of key without modulating- The key center stays the same. In this song the first two chords can be found in the same key and sound cool to me, but the higher third one feels so wrong to me no matter what. I can't get accustomed to that flavour. How does it feel for you? Is it fine? is it something that you do on purpose because you like it or does it spring from working with a sample of that chord that renders you unable to change the chord quality? It is OT but please answer me, or better yet make a video about it.

[@EightsEverywhere]

How would those headphones fit on a large head?

[@rockonbass]

How do you duplicate whilst moving everything forward like you do at 3:28?

[@doonzmusic3612]

ctrl+shift+D

[@radio_zero]

@@doonzmusic3612 Nice, always wondered that as well. Is there also a way to kinda do the reverse of that? Delete a part and move the rest on the right hand side to the left?

[@glecko9241]

is it possible to use this for live applications? Or will I always have latency?

[@Rgdonaire_07]

Hey Ricardo are you using delay compensation in live or not? I had some problems with latency mostly when using the sends/return. In fact I read it also in live’s page.

[@SteveHorne]

Love your vids and I'm really loving your computer monitor- Can you say what the LG model # is?

[@PaulRichards78]

Super Cool Bro Thanks

[@DrFearCo]

I know this is kind of off topic for this video. But I want some feedback/help with my first modular synth. I don't really care too much about midi, I'd like it to be somewhat generative (id like to be "along for the ride" so to speak) with some random aspects to it. Heres what I've got so far. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Mostly want to know if there are any gaping holes or better options for what I've chosen. www.modulargrid.net/e/racks/view/1199993

[@JustinUrban1]

Hello Ricky, I was wondering what your favorite fx pedal/unit is for live gigs. I’m trying to find 1 or 2 units to add to my setup. I am just starting to practice playing live sets.

[@RickyTinez]

I honestly have a lot of fun with the SP404SX. But a lot of people been recommending that I use a KAOS pad instead because it has more effects in none of the sampler weirdness.

[@bojanbeles12]

huge respect on music !! but that army thing what is it ? canvas ? thnx

[@RickyTinez]

It’s a moving blanket. It helps absorb a little bit of sound reflections

[@22X20M_design]

Yeah Nice Video!

[@bachelorgamer8001]

What camera do you use?

[@lehesson]

You should try Cubase, makes it easy for external gear!

[@16647]

Yo Rick! Can you tell me we're you got that monitor I like that it has clamp? If that's accurate....what model?

[@RickyTinez]

So this is called a Vesa mount atm. most monitors have the mounting for this on the back!

[@romanpistelak58]

Hi Ricky, love your videos. Wheres your actual music?

[@oliviergautier1973]

what size is your screen?