Roland MX-1 Ultimate Setup - Ableton Live updated!

[@ranzee]

This is the updated version of this video! Thanks for checking it out :)

[@rndmdjuy]

The best video for live and MX-1 on YT.

[@ranzee]

Thanks mate :)

[@velanche]

This video was really, really helpful, for putting the remaining pieces together. I've been struggling all week putting together my setup, not realizing that I was closer than I thought when I followed the first part of this video and tested my Bass Station. While I'd like to know why the heck it took setting monitoring to "In" in order to get the sound to work, I'm glad it did and was able to get the rest of my gear working. Again, thank you thank you!

[@ranzee]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SKalipso.]

Thank you!

[@stuartjackson7834]

Cool thanks for the concise update! One video with all the info on MX1 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks

[@ranzee]

Hi Stuart, thanks so much!

[@harsha_sree_t]

Very clear. Thanks for taking the time!!

[@ranzee]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Heleno.]

Hello Ranzee, when I use the MX-1's master channel, receiving audio from Ableton, I hear a lot of noise from the PC cooler that is connected to the MX-1. I also hear noises as if it were a noisy music record (when the record seems to be scratched). Could you give me some guidance?

[@ranzee]

you have a ground loop somewhere ... these are difficult to fix. Best unplug things until it goes away - then trace back what the noise is coming from and use a different Power Board or circuit to connect the culprit to :)

[@GeorgeSundancermusic]

This is very useful info, Ranzee ! I was thinking about getting an audio-interface or mixer for my 2 synths... Thanks for sharing this ! 👍👍👍

[@ranzee]

Hi George, thanks so much - it is a very capable Audio Interface!

[@cyborgtr808]

Great shout on these y cables etc. Nice one .. m8. Thats brilliant btw. Thanks! 😎👌 & .. I found this via your original video m8.

[@ranzee]

Enjoy!

[@Sequence303]

Absolute hero mate cheers for that

[@ranzee]

Cheers mate. Sad to see the MX-1 is discontinued by Roland. I wonder what they're bringing out?

[@Sequence303]

@@ranzee aw had no idea they discontinued it! Yeah wonder what they're going to bring out 🤔

[@lloydvallentine2]

Hello I loved your video and I have been using this setup for a while and I since my job requires me to add a interface most likely a scarlett 2i2 I was wondering that by adding the mx1 to the interface and use the other plug for a microphone will this still allow me to use the mx1 in ableton as the main interface in windows or will i lose some of the features if the interface is the primary driving force behind the setup?

[@ranzee]

You can choose which interface you want in Ableton. If you want to use both: look at something like ASIO4ALL of FlexASIO. I've not tried these as I have no need for them.

[@SKalipso.]

Can you please do a tutorial of how to set up the Roland mix 1 with Roland Aira system 1, the Roland Drum machine tr8 and the Roland VT 3 for vocals using Ableton live 9????

[@gixerags750]

Hi Ranzee, is it possible to run a Analogue Delay pedal from the MX1s aux send back into one of the channels as a return , ie..can you simulate DUB DELAY on the MX1 this way ? Cheers 😊

[@ranzee]

You can use the aux sends to go to an FX pedal and put the output of the FX pedal into an analog input - yes. Just remember the AUX sends are stereo - so you may want to play around with that (I'm not sure if it normalises on the Left like some mixers do). If you use the normal return input - it is like having another separate input that inserts after the FX audio chain. If you use it via an analog input - you could essentially loop/feedback the FX onto itself.

[@gixerags750]

@ranzee Sweeet...I have a Macki 1604VLZ , that's not being used atm, trying to do verything with the MX1 and 2 Volca MIXES. thanks for the quick reply . Appreciate it. ✌️

[@ChromatestJPantsmaker]

I know this is an older video, but I have purchased JUST the ground loop adapters directly from Arturia without buying that kit. That may still be an option. Also, why didn't you save the template as an actual template? That way you don't need to worry about saving over it.

[@andrewverran3498]

So after setting up an MX1 you would do the same procedure for a Novation Impulse keyboard controller via USB ? Cheers

[@ranzee]

You could - I've not done it that way with my Impulse.

[@kadearmitage5319]

Do you know if i could use this as part of a set up sending loops from ableton into the mx-1 into a xone 92 dj mixer, whilst also using a traktor x1 and turntable in the same set up

[@ranzee]

audio wise yes should be fine :)

[@TheDJT003]

Hi ranzee , very help full video , bud can I connect via this way ,with usb graund adapter my Arturia microfreak to usb port on MX-1 ? Thanks help for

[@ranzee]

Not possible - only compatible Roland products work with the USB ports.

[@TheDJT003]

@@ranzee HAllo OK understund thanks a lot

[@polyblasthedral]

Hey!👋🏼 Please🙏🏼 make a detailed connection video in 2022, how to connect Roland MX-1 to Ableton Live 11 in detail and at the same time how to connect synthesizers correctly so that Ableton can synchronize and record all this correctly! I'll be very grateful! Thank you.🤝🏼👍🏼👽🛸

[@ranzee]

Cheers! I could do an update I guess - however, I have the latest Ableton 11 and can say that really nothing has changed in the way the MX-1 connects.

[@buntobrown]

I would also love this having terrible problems connecting my mx1 into ableton 11 and new mac. 2021! Following your guide down to a T but not getting audio in on any channel. Latest drivers from Roland, device in mixer mode, channels setup etc but no audio, can see midi signal but zero audio tried so many combinations but can’t get it to work at all. So frustrating. Even trying to use master outs into ableton and selecting 17/18 but nothing!

[@KingzofSwing]

@@buntobrownput into PC mode

[@stratusnco]

i know this is an old video but i was wondering if it takes a long time for the mx-1 to be recognized by the pc? always takes like 3-5 minutes for me. not sure if there is a fix but gets annoying after months of using it.

[@VimyScout]

Hi mate. Can you tell me exactly which cable you have connected between your circuit and mx-1, if its not connected with midi that is. Glad I found this channel and thanks for taking the time for putting this together !

[@ranzee]

Hi VimyScout, it is the MIDI cable :) Thanks for watching :)

[@VimyScout]

@@ranzee Many thanks. Was a little confused because you stated nothing was connected by midi.

[@nodz007]

Hi Ranzee, did you show how to make the synths listen on different midi channels after you plugged them in to the Quadra box. I don't think I understood that part very well. Great channel btw.

[@illuminoacey]

My friend is wanting to use his MX1 in audio interface mode for Cubase on a PC he's building... Anyone got any idea of what the input/output latency would be using asio4all or any other drivers? Any help would be much appreciated!

[@ranzee]

ASIO4ALL will create latency - I don't have the exact scientific figures at hand, but they're easily discovered from a search. The MX-1 has native latency which is documented in their specifications document. Personally, I'd stay clear of ASIO4ALL ... not a fan.

[@illuminoacey]

@@ranzee Thanks for the reply! We were hoping to use the MX-1 and I'm still researching and hoping to test it first, but I've also been looking at audio interfaces for him.. The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 3rd Gen USB is the one I'm leaning at so far. I'll update about the MX-1 if i can..

[@midwestisbest1]

Hi Ranzee, always appreciate your MX-1 videos and refer to them a lot. One topic I can't find: How do you set up external effects in Ableton? I've seen other tutorials which require an interface w/ multi outs, but I can't figure out how to do it with the MX-1's rca Aux loop. Thanks!

[@ranzee]

Hi Todd, thanks for the support! To use the AUX Send and Return as an Audio FX Bus from Ableton - you would need a second physical audio interface with 2 in and 2 out (min) - reason is because the AUX ports on the MX-1 are analog and they aren't part of the digital side of the MX-1's audio interface. I've actually tried this and it works.

[@midwestisbest1]

@@ranzee Thanks for the quick reply! Was hoping for a solution that didn't require more hardware, but I suspected this was the case. Thanks again for confirming.

[@Borenstein91]

Trying to figure this out, and tried to skim through the comments here: if you want to record every individual channel of the MX-1 into different channels in Ableton (for further mixing and effects), so almost using the MX-1 as an audio interface with inputs, rather than only having the master channel (17/18) recorded, is this possible? And also would that then bypass the master effects? Thank you!

[@ranzee]

Did you watch the video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/npvanICOftOrjKM

[@jayrvento4116]

Men, I've seen both of your videos on the MX-1, but how you deal with the noise? I use two circuits and get noise in the analog ins. I can work around it, but still anoying. The big deal for me is the return. The noise is too loud and seems am not the only one having this problem.

[@ranzee]

Noise issues can be a stack of things - your signal might be coming in too hot, there might be ground loop noise, the device might just be noisey - so many things it could be. Best advice I can give is get the MX-1 checked out by Roland to rule it out as being faulty, then you can troubleshoot your gear down the endless rabbit hole of noise issues :) .... oh I feel your pain bro!

[@chat-dmt]

for midi, alternatively, once the or a aira/boutique is connected via usb into the mx1, being clocked by ableton, could you send midi out of the 5pin port on one of them to the circuits in, then out into the arturia or vice versa and it work the same? cheers.

[@ranzee]

Hi Rob, Yes - do this all the time :)

[@chat-dmt]

@@ranzee Thanks :)

[@isaac.anthony]

Thanks again, Ranzee! I'm still trying to figure out if there's any way to effect (compress) the master mix, other than "mastering" button? Also, when you're in "live" mode, you can use the individual "filter" knobs to instead control send A in ableton. But I haven't found a way to use send effects with the MX-1 without using a channel strip to return the signal, because if you try to route send A to the master mix, you don't get the effects, because that's only going to a recording channel, you get what I mean?

[@ranzee]

Hi Isaac. Yeah - the sends have their own returns - which follow the master output signal flow. You only need to feed a send back into a channel if you want it to be a digital input for Ableton (as the most common example). Where you could also do this with just the master output and play with the mutes. Compression is only on the Master FX as far as I know. So the other option could be to use compression in Ableton - or as you said: use a Send/Return. This is actually why I use a Presonus mixer along with my MX-1 = as they have compression built in to each digital channel, separately controllable. Then I can aggregate the two mixers in Ableton. food for thought, and a bit tricky.

[@isaac.anthony]

Thanks! I was hoping that we could route ableton send/return back to the master, inside of ableton, without using one of the channel strips on the MX-1. A little disappointed with Roland because of this. Also, it would be nice to build our own mastering channel, rather than having to use a pre-configured mastering chain...

[@GabZelle]

How is the sound quality in comparison to audiointerfaces for example the focusrite? I like that the focus of the mx-1 is on synth´s as I´m neither a guitar player or interessted in many mic inputs like other interfaces have. So I´m thinking to spend that extra money in this mixer/interface for all the bonus capacity this device has.

[@ranzee]

Hi, sound quality is fine by my ears - but I always say - best to judge yourself in the store (don't just listen to youtube videos).

[@andrewverran3498]

Has the TB03 any advantages over the Roland touch TB3? Thanks

[@ranzee]

The AIRA TB-3 is super cool - and a more "Version 2.0" of the TB-303. The TB-03 is a boutique modern replica (digital) of the TB-303. I found the TB-3 more fun to perform with. Both sounded very similar.

[@markom2146]

Hi, I was wondering if you could help me with a problem. I recently bought an MX-1 and I’m having problems with it linking up to Ableton. I’ve set up the MX-1 so that each channel is routing to its own audio channel within Ableton. For some reason Ableton is receiving a signal from each MX-1 channel even when the channel sliders are down or muted on the MX-1. This obviously creates an issue when recording. I have set up the MX-1 using the appropriate settings. Each Ableton audio channel is set up as Ext In, the input is set to In and the relevant Stereo/mono channel has been selected. I’ve also tried the MX-1 in other modes and the sliders work fine. Any idea what I’m doing wrong?

[@ranzee]

Have you set your MX-1 in the different mixer modes to see if it changes this behaviour?

[@markom2146]

@@ranzee yes. the above happens in external mode. When using mixer mode the sound is responsive to the sliders but Ableton still picks up individual channel signal, even when the sliders are down and there is no sound. it's almost as if Ableton is picking it up signal pre-fader. it's driving me crazy. I can set up an audio channel to records master output collectively but I want to record individual channels post manual automation

[@h-dawg969]

Has anyone got a link to the exact same sort of set up but in Logic please?

[@bloopbleepnothinghere]

In Live mode the faders don't seem to do anything unless you route audio to ext, in which case they just control the audio level on the mixer itself, not the mixer levels and sliders in Ableton. I can see on my midi monitor that it's transmitting midi from those faders... Really makes no sense to me, even in the docs it doesn't mention the faders doing anything.

[@ranzee]

I think you need to remember these have been out for quite some time now - it was a feature that integrated into Ableton Live. Personally, I never found it that useful. I've always used mine in the MIX (or default) mode.

[@gobiet1966]

Hi, do you know if the mx-1 is de coupled? I can’t find any information about this. Thx😊

[@ranzee]

Do you mean DC Coupled? If so, no it’s not. Look into expert sleepers modules. For interfacing with CV and Modular.

[@Limite777]

Eres un genio!! Increible

[@ranzee]

Thanks so much!

[@nootz2132]

Hey Ranzee, great video it has helped me out a lot. I was wondering if you ever had any trouble with sending audio from the computer to the MX1? I'm trying to send a couple of VST synths to the some of the channels on the MX1 but when I set the output in Ableton to the channels I don't hear anything come out of the MX1. Any Ideas on whats going on?

[@ranzee]

Hi Ionut. Quite easy to do ... just setup what channels you want to use for VSTs in your AUDIO OUTPUT settings in Ableton. Then you can select them in each track. My video shows how to do it for 17/18 (PC) - but you just use the same principal for the others. There's a video I did here - which shows how to use the digital channel (7/8) as an Ableton output channel - which should help you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKq7mXimqM6UpLM (you can see the individual clip tracks outputting to channel 7/8 - not "master"

[@MagDiSante]

I just purchased a ROland Mx1 with its latest firmware version in order to use it With Ableton Live ... I just wonder if there is a way to SCROLL SCENES in Live mode ... rotating the value knob and checking the status bar in order to see wich scene is controlled is very uncomfortable !!! And my live set has a great number of scenes : each song has its introes, verses, choruses, etc etc ... so "scrolling" between scenes is very important for me and i can't find a way to do it with my MX1. Of course i can use another MIDI/USB controller and map one of its slides (or knobs) to the "scroll scene" function of Ableton BUT i would be very happy if i could do it with MX1 ... Any idea or suggestion about it ? Thank You very much in advance !

[@ranzee]

I can't think of a way to do it off the top of my head.

[@MagDiSante]

@@ranzee Thank You for Your answer ... I too have come to this conclusion ... i can just hope that Roland will include this feature in future firmware updates (IF ANY !) ... Saving BPM value when You store in scene memory of the mixer would be very appreciated, too ! As for everything else, i'm very satisfied with the mix performer ...

[@tobymulder1015]

Get a Mac they said, it will be fun the said... Been fiddling around with my mx1 the whole freaking day and I can't seem to fix my aira inputs 😭😭 All audio in put into my mx one does not show in ableton, no signal nothing. Any thoughts??? Great video btw!

[@ranzee]

Hi toby, Im not sure - have you installed the driver (specific MX-1 USB driver for Mac)? Does the MX-1 show up as an audio device? There's a lot to troubleshoot here just off a brief youtube message - but start with those and then go through my video on setting up the audio channels. There's links to drivers and things in the video description to help you. Check out the video contents there - and maybe look at doing the template part? ... good luck!

[@tobymulder1015]

@@ranzee wanna laugh?

[@tobymulder1015]

@@ranzee I had to give Ableton permission to use my microphone, In my MacBooks preferences 😂😅 seriously took me hours before I found out😭

[@ranzee]

@@tobymulder1015 hehe - the joys of DAWs!! Now it's time to get some recording done :)

[@alexandreauvergnasminacape5800]

Hi Ranzee, Thanks for your videos. What settings/mode would you recommend if I want to record all my instruments/mx1 tracks in ableton live and have a feed back of all my ableton audio tracks in the out of my mx1 in the same time ? Thanks mate

[@ranzee]

Hi Alexandre, I would do it the same way I've done in the video. I have the Ableton template as a free download over on my Patreon if you need it: patreon.com/ranzee

[@alexandreauvergnasminacape5800]

@@ranzee OK thanks a lot Ranzee I will check it out

[@admaiora777]

hey there ranzee, is there a way to use the mx-1 just as a midi interface? I want to buy another audio interface, the soundcraft mtk 22. As the mx-1 is the midi brain of my setup, I'd like to still use it to send play/stop signal to my gear but to use the mtk22 as audio interface as it has more analog channels. Do you know if that can be done? Greetings and great video!

[@ranzee]

yes, you can set it to controller mode.

[@admaiora777]

@@ranzee maybe i explained myself wrong... can i still send the midi play/stop signal from ableton to the mx-1? :D hehe thanks for answering!

[@ranzee]

yes you can

[@brucezalcer4950]

Really appreciate this thanks a lot. Is it possible to control ableton and hardware the MX1 being an interface. Let’s say I want to plug in a groove box and a synth directly to mx1, control audio and midi tracks in ableton with mx1 and use another interface for other gear. Or to use with ableton do I have to make it I/o source/ I’m thinking yes to input not necessarily output

[@ranzee]

Hi Bruce. You can use the MX-1 as a MIDI through device, so you can control things from Ableton that are connected 'through' the MX-1. I think there may even be a video on my channel about it - search for MX-1 MIDI ... as for audio, yes for that too!

[@DeBanked]

This is great thank you

[@ranzee]

Hi Antonia, many thanks to you :)

[@Lampadariogiallo]

Really super useful!! Just a question, i want to use some loops of my ableton library but i can't hear them, am i missing something?

[@ranzee]

Hi Lampardariogiallo, thanks! However, too hard to tell from this small amount of info sorry. Make sure you have the master output set to the correct channels 17/18 and you're using the headphones on the MX-1 to check it? - using the PC channel to hear it? lots of unanswered questions here :)

[@Lampadariogiallo]

@@ranzee haha sorry i'm new with ableton. However you were right i set up the master ch to 17/18 and now i can listen my loops! I was also unable to hear back a recorded instrument, but i tried to switch the monitoring of the channel to in to auto/off and it works (but i'm curious why, i don't know aha) Now i've only to figure out how to turn up the volume of the recorded instruments. It's low, but if i export it has normal volume

[@5starstudiomedia]

Hi Ranzee thanks for taking the time to create this very helpful video. I can't for the life of me get the MX-1 to send midi to start Ableton. I am able to have Ableton send midi to start the MX-1 but not vice-versa. I'm pretty sure I have everything configured properly including the midi settings in both Ableton and the MX-1. Is this possible or is it that the MX-1 just is not able to transmit midi start to Ableton? Essentially I'm trying to start Ableton using the Start/Stop button on the MX-1. Thanks Ranzee in advance

[@ranzee]

Hi, have you got the MX-1 setup in MIDI config to SYNC and REMOTE? Also is Ableton set to EXT? Other than that - is the correct MX-1 driver installed?

[@5starstudiomedia]

​@@ranzee Thanks so much for your prompt reply Ranzee. I have the latest drivers for MX-1 installed version 1.05. I do have MX-1 MIDI config to TRACK, SYNC & REMOTE in Ableton MIDI settings for both INPUT & OUTPUT. I'm not sure how to set Ableton to EXT though. Am I setting EXT thorugh one of the Tracks? Thanks again for your time in advance

[@5starstudiomedia]

@@ranzee Hi Ranzee, you are absolutely right I'm an Ableton newbie and didn't realize there is an EXT button that needed to be enabled just as you said. Thanks again for your time my friend and keep up the good work

[@space-skeleton]

Just an old note on this, one of the cute little things you can do with USB aira/boutique/etc gear is use the USB channel as the midi output. So for your example, you could send out a specific Ableton channel to the MX-1 USB3 port that isn't on the TB03 channel, and it'll send transport to that channel through the device (assuming you are sending transport from the TB03). So basically, the MX-1 extended out with four Roland USB capable devices actually has 5 midi in/outs for a sequencing potential of 80 channels! In my setup, I have a TR8 on USB1 that send out the transport control (play stop) and tempo to an Analog RYTM, and then that's chained via the Analog RYTM's Midi Thru to a Digitakt. On USB3, I have a TB3 that sends tempo/transport to an Avalon Bassline. On USB 4, I have a System 8 that sends out transport/tempo to an Analog Keys and an Alpha Juno 2 hooked up to the Analog Keys Midi Thru. I can sequence my Juno through the MX-1's USB 4 port from Ableton (eg I have it set on midi port 15, and just have to select that on Ableton). But on top of that, I have my Digitakt midi output going into the System 8's Midi input, so I can also sequence both the System 8 and Juno (or the Analog Keys if I wanted to keep things centralized) through the System 8's own Midi without having to disconnect the USB (granted you don't want them running at the same time).

[@Lesgo]

Hey Ranzee. Great video, it really helped me get my MX-1 up and running with all my Boutiques and Ableton. I have just one question... I have all the tracks running into their own channels in Ableton but can't seem to record fader movements. It just records all channels as if the faders are not moving. Is there a way to record each channel separately with faders into Ableton?. Many thanks.

[@ranzee]

Hi Les, yes - you record the MIDI side of the MX-1 - just setup the MX-1 to a specific MIDI channel and record it like you would any other controller.

[@Lesgo]

@@ranzee Cheers Ranzee. Will give it a go

[@Lesgo]

You are a star!... Thank you. All up and running. It's simple when you know how.

[@CB-nd9ki]

Think I asked this before but I am trying to figure out what setup I need to get all my gear into Ableton and if the MX-1 is appropriate. Ultranova->Strymon Bigsky->Mac Circuit->Zoom Reverb Pedal->Mac I also want to get a volca Fm with a reverb at some point. Can you tell me if the MX-1 is what i need to get all these playing at once?

[@Arperture]

That would certainly work with channels to spare. I would recommend using the Big Sky with the AUX OUT/AUX IN on the MX1, so you can use it with the channel sends. That way you can send from the individual channels into the Big Sky and have control over the amount of effect placed on each channel. For instance - You can run the Ultranova into the Digital IN channel using SP/DIF (I do this), run the Circuit into the 5/6 channel. Run the Volca into one of the other analog channels, or group two analog channels for stereo. You would still have analog inputs left open as well as the four USB ports.

[@Mike-Volt]

Thanks 4 this realy usefull ✊🏻 Only one problem i can only record everything in one time live true the pc out. I can't see it has record my roland tr8s on his channel... Hope to hear you have the anwser? Thanks in advance

[@ranzee]

You'll only be able to record the TR-8 master output via AIRA link USB.

[@saintnicholas5507]

Nice

[@ranzee]

Hi Saint Nicholas! Thanks so much :)

[@greim3516]

Great this tutorial is answering every question I had only one question left when I am using MX-1 I wont need to buy Audio Interface (like focusrite scarlet or something) I mean i can use MX-1 as an audio interface right?

[@ranzee]

Hi @Greim yes you can :)

[@greim3516]

@@ranzee You got urself big thumbs up and a subscriber thanks a lot

[@ET2carbon]

Show us the JD-Xi controlled by MX-1 DUUUUDE!

[@ranzee]

there's a bunch of JD-XI videos on my channel - and it's always plugged into the MX-1 . Here's a playlist kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHabfoOXgbuJacU .... if you need something specific - just shout out.

[@ET2carbon]

@ranzee thank you for your response. Wow that's a great video. And you did all that editing through the MX-1 that's wild. So, does the MX-1 just act as a USB COMPLIANT HUB? I thought AIRA USB was not USB CLASS COMPLIANT?

[@ET2carbon]

@ranzee I actually was already subbed after finding your MRCC video hahaha, then I find out you're a Roland JX-DI and AIRA head too hahaha awesome man

[@ranzee]

@@ET2carbon The JD-XI is fully compatible with the MX-1. Also, if you weren't aware, the JD-XI has 2 USB modes (which is a really cool feature). You can set it under the MIDI section of System Settings: USB Drv (USB Driver) to GENERIC or VENDOR. Vendor is used with the Roland driver on a PC/Mac and Generic is used for class compliance.

[@ET2carbon]

@ranzee yeah I just learned that. That is a really cool feature. What's weird is you'd expect with that, they would have a manufacturer sound librarian/patch editor to pair with the hardware like they just did with the TR-8S