How to Record Midi Synths Without Latency in Ableton Live: External Instrument

In this video we learn about Ableton Live's way of handling system latency, plugin delay compensation, and the amazing external instrument device!
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00:00 - Addressing Midi Latency
1:30 - Direct Monitoring
2:45 - Reduced Latency When Monitoring
3:30 - Plugin Delay Compensation
5:40 - Using External Instrument
9:10 - Recording from External Instrument
10:30 - Hardware Compensation

[@SeedtoStage]

00:00 - Addressing Midi Latency 1:30 - Direct Monitoring 2:45 - Reduced Latency When Monitoring 3:30 - Plugin Delay Compensation 5:40 - Using External Instrument 9:10 - Recording from External Instrument 10:30 - Hardware Compensation

[@Kai-ov3in]

What about guitars and non-midi instruments ? I find ableton really struggles there even with reduced latency turned on.

[@SeedtoStage]

@@Kai-ov3in kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoWYnndoj8lqfJo

[@thegoony]

@@SeedtoStage What about External Effects rack, same principal?

[@SeedtoStage]

@@thegoony yep you got it. I was thinking of making a video about it as there are some other considerations but yep!

[@thegoony]

@@SeedtoStage Yes some may find that helpful :)

[@michaelsanderson6939]

The best explanation ive ever seen on this subject

[@klaaspeterolijnsma9518]

I second that

[@wildcat189]

I think you're the only guy on KZbin talking about this stuff. Legend!

[@steveh9799]

I think more to the point you explain it far better than most! I have watched a lot of tutorials and you definitely explain in a way that is easily understood.

[@BrysonPrice]

🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@HelicopterRidesForCommunists]

He’s not, but yes he is.

[@sjfarrell2.03]

I watched this video a year ago when I didn't have any hardware. This week, I bought a Modal Cobalt 8, recorded some audio, saw there was some noticeable latency, and remembered this video. 15 mins later, latency gone. Thanks 👍

[@strangersun7721]

Love how exacting you are in your explanations. You make things so much clearer. Thank you.

[@Hassan-hs7cs]

Their are very few educators on KZbin that are as precise, clear and to the point as you are. Looking forward to your mixing & mastering courses. Already signed up!!

[@gordonmackay7421]

I've been waiting for years for a video this concise on a potentially infuriating subject, it just didn't exist. Until now. Thank you!!

[@fender841]

This couldn't have come at a better time. Just took my first dive into the world of hardware synths yesterday with a mother 32 and this is just what I need!

[@AvianBreak]

Your explanation was incredibly clear, thank you!

[@PaulOrtiz]

Dude, I never knew about the external MIDI thing. So good. Thank you!

[@ytrichhalo]

The only person ive found who can explain to an old dog exactly how to fix this issue . Thanks you so much for going the extra mile and the level of precision in your explanation. Will be looking into your courses if this is the level of instruction. Liked and subscribed

[@RyRaddatz]

Brand new to Ableton Live and this video explains everything I was wondering. So appreciated. Thank you!

[@aaronbarber6238]

Man, thank you. It was killing me, for the longest time I thought system latency and plug-in delay were the same. Hindsight is 20/20, and huge thank you for bringing up external instrument device! This will be such a game changer.

[@Carsian]

ALWAYS looking forward to your videos!

[@eikarumba429]

Great explanation. I’ve been using ext instra for a while and direct monitoring. Wasn’t aware of the hardware latency comp so thanks for that.

[@KozmykJ]

Very clear and concise explanations. I'm an old old DAW head but Ableton Live is new to me. Very useful stuff. Thank you.

[@AlejandroGuerrero]

Man you have the best latency videos on YT. Thanks and cheers from Madrid.

[@opusarena808]

Thank you for throwing that info 👍👍 Love your stuff man 🙏

[@johnnykirchens3692]

dis dude droppn some fine gems latetly, I love it! Keep going 🙌

[@mermaidfeetxoxo_music]

Thank you so much! I’ve been searching for this video like this for so long 😭😭😭

[@flowraw3393]

Appreciate you so much. You go into such detail on every topic and finite details. Thank you

[@in_10z]

Great vid. Thanks. External instrument is indeed powerful and great explanation on the latency set up. Drives me batty getting that dialed but you summed it up nicely!

[@tb80038]

Dude this helped me a ton. I have just started to incorporate hardware. Have the Behringer MS-1 and the Elektron Model:Samples. I was almost there with these set up but was overcomplicating it and was trying to monitor the audio channel and was having a terrible time jamming like that and keeping everything in time. This helped me strip it back and get it going correctly.

[@mermaidfeetxoxo_music]

Coming back to say thank you again. I'm using all our hardware synths again. You're a Legend.

[@S1ph3r]

man this one and the other viedo is exactly what I needed thank you!

[@Gorlung]

Your videos are brilliant: they're enough informative and consize

[@mattoreilly-vy6dv]

Great breakdown of this topic. It's always good to revisit this. I gain new insights every time!

[@1TreukFlyyy]

Best explanation ever ! Your channel is amazing.

[@scottfitzgerald4220]

this is brilliant, exactly the info i needed, havnt been usuing exterbnal instrument but now see the benefits over a midi and audio track seperatly. allso that laat bit with the tiny delay was bugging me last few days , testing latency, kinda misled in manual adjusting DEC which wasnt working, this makes better sense

[@AmbientMusicStudio]

Great description. Very helpful.

[@defenderstargate1447]

Thanks so much for this one! It is incredible and just what I was looking for. More in fact as I didn't anticipate being able to also record a hardware synth through plugins while retaining the zero latency advantages.

[@Kruse1]

You legend. I was just starting to tinker with external gear into Live and I didnt even know about External Instrument. Also, I fully thought I was watching a Sonic Academy or ADSR video. top marks, mate.

[@uniquekillerz]

I'm a new subscriber to your channel. I really enjoy your presentation and find your examples easy to follow. Some can get deep too quick and lose me. Keep it up.

[@samjenner7706]

Thanks mate! you have helped me immensely.

[@coopwerks]

Awesome. Just awesome. No one explains this better.

[@dangerbird64]

For years I have been pulling my hair out over trying to troubleshoot latency when using hardware with Ableton Live. This video was the first one that actually helped me. Thank you!

[@noobashegg]

insanely helpful video man, thank you so much

[@alexr1632]

You are a saint. This helped me figure out EVERYTHING. THANK YOU!!!

[@TomaszRykala]

Dude, fantastic video. thanks so much.

[@kpsiegel]

I have a bunch of external hardware and didn't know about that hardware latency compensation. That information is just gold. Great video packed with real information and no fluff explained clearly with great examples. Thanks for taking the time. You really helped me out.

[@sulimankaur2781]

nice clear no nonsense to the point explanation. thx

[@Ladivmusic]

Thanks man! Helped me so much!

[@thetropiki]

Straight forward knowledge. Thanks!

[@Jasonimmanuel]

Thanks it's works!!! Great video ❤️❤️❤️😭😭😭

[@chadwatson7052]

Great video!!! Cured my daily headache🎉

[@mundelator]

This is so helpful, thanks 🙏

[@robvanerp5766]

Finally a decent and understandable explanation, thx !!

[@RandomNoise]

the best explanation of Ableton latency! thank you!

[@DaleLindsay]

Thank you for posting this. Seriously.

[@steventaylor5166]

Great explanation 👍🏻

[@JitterbugBoy72]

Dude - just watched both your videos on latency - so well explained - thank you. I now have to go and try it out but I can do with more confidence now - watched loads of videos and just came away still confused but I think (hope) I undersand now - in the past I just end up metaphorically throwing ableton out of the window and giving up. One difference for me is that I use an external sequencer (Novation SL Mk3) rather than the Ableton sequencer and just want to record the audio from my ext synths into ableton for arrangement / mixing / fx and adding the odd soft synth - So I am hoping this will work for me there. Any which way these are great videos.

[@elfinfini]

You simply and concisely...kill it!!

[@plumcharlie]

This was the first video I've found that talked about reducing latency with the external instrument plugin (which I use all of the time and didn't even think to use like that). I've been racking my brain on ways to figure out how to reduce latency to modular synth with modules like Yarns and Expert Sleepers ES-9. I keep wanting to use my Push2 for drums with my modular set up and the latency with CV tools has been beating me up and making it unusable in the flow. Excited to try this. Thank you

[@jhonnylawrence4802]

You really are awesome. Only channel that has this. I searched everywhere. I'm running FL Studio inside Ableton for drums and its piano roll features and the first drum hits are never on time. I think this should fix it

[@winstonelectric]

Yeah, seriously people need to know this! When I was getting into hardware several years ago applied midi latency was the bane of my existence. I think finally I found a subretddit post or something about it but it took months. Thanks for putting this out there!

[@sdsmack1]

Great tutorial 👌

[@JamesBermingham]

Super informative especially as there is a big shift toward hardware/software hybrid set ups over the last few years

[@mrkeeny]

well done on explaining a very difficult topic👍

[@HelicopterRidesForCommunists]

Really good stuff.

[@deadnicetv7720]

Great tutorial man ✌️🎶🎶🎶😁

[@graysynther2169]

Good vid..well described sir.

[@seancharles8461]

This was awesome! Thank you! If you could explore some chains for synth, that would be great!

[@rockydurand503]

Thank you SO MUCH for explaining this the way that you did. Now I need to record my Nord Lead 2 into Live 🙂

[@bigupz6818]

Cool 😎 Subscribed ✌🏼

[@scottfitzgerald4220]

I updated from live 9 to ten yesterday, that last bit with the hardware compensation is no longer an issue, when I looked at it again today, in nine it was, dont know whats the difference is but im happy

[@harrisfrankou2368]

Great Video

[@StevenClements]

9:55 I like to capture it without the effects... then just copy the effect group and add it to the captured audio. This way I can mod the captured audio differently and not really commit to the effect change quite yet. GREAT video!

[@MusicWithMike]

Thank you for this. I bought a minilogue xd module to use in my productions and i had no idea how much of an absolute pain it would be getting it set up properly with my pc, controller, and interface. Then when i finally got it all to work, i threw an arp on and the latency was so bad i almost cried lol. Gonna go home and try this out.

[@finonomastropiero4261]

Yeeeeeesss!!!! Fundamental videooos!!! Wuu

[@klaaspeterolijnsma9518]

Brilliant video's.

[@iandeegrees1509]

Thank you very much, never recognized that "External Instrument"-Plugin

[@phrankus2009]

VERY USEFUL CONTENT

[@wall7446]

thank you maestro!

[@psychedelicendeavor2091]

I'm so glad you made these videos. Praise the lord for your existence

[@homerbailon1]

Really useful this video! Do you have any other video about recording hardware with a in-built sequencer with no latency at the same time you monitor the synth? Without external instrument plugin.

[@brenthronik6066]

Anybody else hear Alors on Danse in the plucks he uses to show off the midi latency at the beginning? Now it's stuck in my head. But in all seriousness, always love your vids super top notch. Exactly what I was looking for to start working with my first hardware synth, a Typhon!

[@krowus3833]

Thank you so much!

[@thomasmilet2879]

Legend. Thx.

[@andro41]

YOU. SAVED. MY. LIFE.

[@fabiencortial9850]

Much appreciated, now I know how to fix what I was simply ignoring 😀

[@HIFI1965]

Yo Seed!! I use a plain mixer, an 18 channel audio interface, and patchbay, half normalled. Every input is split via the patchbay, sending to the mixer and the same channels in the AI. An extra patchbay is routed to various synths, and my "pedal-field"... yes, an actual field of effects pedals....this allows me to send (or insert) any combination of mutant devices, and record both the dry and the effects.... and yes, external instrument is incredible. I'm a session-view kinda guy, and clip automation is da bomb, esp on an external instruments.

[@shaikothman3135]

This is very helpful, thanks a lot. However there’s few intercommunication between 2 softwares audio latency still exist with ableton. Some softwares that isn’t available as vst for DAW.

[@beytullahkeskin1153]

Perfeckt.....My brother

[@mikefisher84]

Great video! Would love a follow up on fixing sync / latency when using external synths that rely on clock. Example a hardware synth that has an arpeggiator, getting that to tightly sync with Ableton is still next to impossible for me.

[@dubioussource5208]

Thx for the clear description. Just note that in the end of the video you didn't turn on Live's FX when recording with the amount of added hardware latency. Might have prevented some system latency issues hehe. Right?

[@andrejkobal]

Hi, thanks for the fantastic explanation. Now everything is more clear to me about routing MIDI Out of Ableton and recording it. Anyway, one thing that I still struggle with is how to use external MIDI sequencers with live. So that Ableton will receive MIDI. In concrete, I use an iPad wit Ableton Link and I’m trying to send MIDI sequences from iPad to Ableton but I’m getting none synchronised results. IOS has some excellent Generative sequencers, but it is a pain to sync things together with Live. So I was wondering if you could maybe explain this maybe in an upcoming video or give any clue how to handle this. Thanks! And thanks for this Amazing video.

[@kosmikmusa]

Thank you.

[@messengerofsecrets3216]

DOPE!

[@dow8er]

awesome video, thanks so much!! So now my recording is tight, assuming the midi sequence is. But what about latency when recording a midi sequence from my synth/midi controller to ableton, can I get rid of that too?

[@eldjswett]

This is great. So much knowledge. Still, I'm having troubles with Roland boutiques. I can adjust hardware and delay compensations, but it drifts through time. If I pause my project for a while, when I restart it it changes the amount of compensation needed. All good and adjustable for production projects, but how about for live performance?

[@anthonym2771]

this was super helpful thank you, does this mean you dont need to do any driver error compensation (looping out and back into the interface etc)??? Thanks

[@DokterRyConn]

Thogmartin does it again! Many thanks.

[@kozihoppy]

Yes!

[@nectariosm]

I have many MIDI synths and hardware sequencers. I've had crazy problems where the sound from monitoring external synths would come early (crazy I know) when using External Instrument and on the MIDI channel delay offset, the "+ve" button, would do nothing, only the "-ve" worked...I need to use a larger buffer (1024) to run the stuff I like to run. Then I needed to adjust for the clock being sent to the LFOs/sequencer of the hardware synth and adjust for the MIDI notes that where sent to the same synth so the note triggering would be for example, right on time with a square or S&H LFO. Add to that the fact that the more audio tracks that where added later as I progressed in the project with UAD plug ins and other oversampling plug ins, latency got so bad that tweaking knobs when recording audio whilst the synth was being played from a MIDI clip, would make things just, unusable. Stopped using External Instrument, monitored only from UAD's direct monitoring, all problems gone. I know everyone's praising the thing and its obviious on the video that it works, but it never worked for me, it actually made things worse.

[@felixdorn21]

Hey Dude! Nice Video 👍🏻 i got the problem that Ableton sets the recorded track to much further up front! Like negative latency 😅 and I need to figure out why that happens and how to correct that. Could you help me out? Best regards from Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@Omnipotent645]

Great Tutorial on latency! I got a question at 9:39: If you would freeze and flatten the track instead of resampling it, wouldnt it also capture your fx chain without latency though?

[@polarnj]

Definitely the only channel I know of where I can very frequently find the answers I need re Ableton. But I’ve really been wondering how to better integrate my iPad as an external outboard piece of gear without latency and I’ve had a hunch the External Instrument or Effect devices in Ableton are they key to that…I would really love to know ANYTHING about anyone else’s workflow who uses an iPad or iPhone in their studio setup… WAITTTTT I shoulda watched the whole video first lol So I’m assuming I can route the audio n midi from/to the iPAd the same way you routed the Peak and I should be ok? Maybe use External Effect if I’m processing audio on iPad app and External Instrument if I’m using it to gen sound? Anyway this was crazy informative as an education on latency in general. I am however having a sudden issue with my midi controllers latency

[@KillLightuk]

Great video. Please can you help, I’m having awful trouble with syncing sound design to video. The render is always out of time compared to watching within Ableton. It’s ridiculous but apparently video is never delay compensated.. can you think of a work around?

[@David.Donoso]

Man thanks for your videos! Is this something I should be using for my standard vst instruments too? I feel that when i record midi from kontakt or Drum Rack I get small latency input recording and I don’t know how to fix it. When I hear while recording sounds good, but when I playback it sounds rushed, recording behind the right tempo. Thanks!

[@harrisfrankou2368]

Any chance of a Video on Outboard gear through a DAW as a Send Return?