The Perfect Template for Ableton Live 11 & Live 12 | A Complete Guide...

[@kels866]

So much great info in here. Amazing output as always.

[@WillHatton]

Always a pleasure to help you bud!

[@levous2]

This was ridiculously packed with spectacular techniques. I’m excited to dig in on my own template. But also really grateful for the embedded details like side chaining reverb and sending to premaster sub groups. Many of my tracks become muddy or inarticulate and I had many ahahaaa moments.

[@WillHatton]

What a wonderful comment to receive, I'm so pleased it was helpful!

[@mariomazerati]

Always love these vids because I can always pick out 1 thing I’m not already doing in my template. I realized I wasn’t sc ducking my returns. I completely forgot about them. Thank you

[@WillHatton]

Happy to be an addition to your arsenal, all the best!

[@shanewyatt1793]

I wanna say thank you so much for putting out this content for everyone. This is really great material for beginners to establish an understanding of a template. Also, a great review/different workflow for more experienced ableton users.

[@WillHatton]

Happy to help!

[@hunsleymat]

Thank Will! Great content. Would love to hear more about your master chain and how you use the limiter chains. I’ve always been confused by the limiters in Ableton

[@soundsfortoday3623]

As someone new to Ableton Live 11 this sure will be a help. Thank you for creating and sharing your workflow tip.

[@WillHatton]

My pleasure!

[@1800KLIENFELD]

Solid. Solid. Template. Wow. I always tell new producers how critical templates are.

[@WillHatton]

Totally agree! And thanks for the kind words!

[@RePeterPod]

I have my own template but that little ban pass glue compressor setting in your master rack is 👌👌👌 nice idea going to try that

[@WillHatton]

Happy to be a pinch of help! Anything in your template you want to share with the community?

[@vonicsmusic]

Thanks! I'm totally downloading your template to adjust mine, I particularly liked your chains sections. I never thought of using multi-stage limiting like that, but it totally makes sense.

[@WillHatton]

Happy to help!!

[@billslinnton]

This is a really cool template. Definitely rewatching this and adopting some of the ideas to mix with my current template.

[@WillHatton]

Happy to help bud, enjoy! Adapt it to your own!

[@skrabio]

You’re totally right… I’ve been trying to work out how to have each instrument bus be more consistent and clean level wise, and seeing this limiter chain idea was a big “duhhh” moment. Great material mate

[@WillHatton]

It was when I realised it too. Happy to help!

[@guitarsolos89]

Goldmine of information. I'm very thankful 😊 much love, random Swedish dude

[@WillHatton]

Thank you, random English dude

[@NomburgMusic]

Always love the videos that help me learn my DAW more, Ill for sure set the template up to try and edit it to taste. you're the best!

[@WillHatton]

Appreciate you swinging by bud! Happy to help

[@pcgbeats]

Great Video! Would love to see a video breaking down how you use the clipper and limiter in each bus!

[@WillHatton]

Thanks bud, I'll add it to the list

[@pcgbeats]

@@WillHatton Thanks Will!

[@billiedoesbeats]

I’ve never been disciplined enough to make a template but I’m determined to do it this week. Thanks!

[@silentcxbin]

Even if not using the same plugins and stuff i love the way you set up the template

[@WillHatton]

Thanks so much!

[@impauseable]

Great video as always Will! Thanks 🙏🏼 I can’t see align delay device anywhere though. I do have suite, but missing that device (probably more) EDIT - turned the “group in folder” option on/off and it’s back there 😂

[@WillHatton]

Case closed!!! You'll make a great detective one day! Thanks for the props!

[@PermissionToMeow]

Thanks for sharing this!

[@WillHatton]

My pleasure!

[@igorutzigpicco748]

That was way too usefull! Thanks a lot

[@WillHatton]

Happy to help, thanks for swinging by!

[@namebrandbeatz]

Great video. This info is so invaluable. I have a question about the reference track routing. You have the reference tracks input set to Master and its output set to Master. Is there a certain reason you do this? I was thinking of having the reference tracks input set to "No Input" and the out set to "Ext. Out" and set out to the Main Monitor outs. That way the reference bypasses the processing being applied on the master. Which in this template is a limiter. Id be interested to know your thoughts. Thanks.

[@itinerantghost]

Damn, this template is 🔥Thanks for breaking it down. Mine is way simpler, but I've made lots of tweaks based on your tips. Much appreciated!!!

[@WillHatton]

Happy to help!

[@Clammyclams]

Thanks Will

[@judor5705]

Thanks for the info and taking the time for putting this together, chaptering it and sharing it. A lot of good ideas there. If I may, I might suggest slowing down your pace a tad and making more breaks, as the information, however understandable, becomes a bit too hard to digest :)

[@plusheldergod]

Super useful, Will. Thank you. Out of interest, in the basic limiter chain you set the glue compressor to slow (-ish) attack & fast release. Why is that? (I would have gravitated towards the opposite settings for "transparent" dynamic range reduction.)

[@WillHatton]

Thank you for the kind words! Yes, for me, I’ll do most of the quicker glue compression with the prior tracks. This is just the final chain. So the basic limiting is just evening out that overall dynamic. Definitely adjust to your liking though!

[@asuga7693]

Man this was so helpful

[@Leaferist]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@matsnyberg8127]

You got tje Lika at the micro lunch comment! Supercool

[@solo4227]

Such an useful video

[@edeltobi]

Question: Given that your groups route into the individual chains, what is the benefit over just putting the chain effects directly on the groups themselves. And even if you create the chains, why do we need a chain capture if the Group bus channel does essentially the same thing?

[@gbigbo_zjebeezjeboo]

Great template, clear explanation. However, can you by means of replying to this comment expand a bit more on why to add and use a pre-master track. Why not sending everything, except the reference track (would go to ext out) to the master track and put the pre-master device chain on that track ?

[@WillHatton]

In short, overall better control, if you send everything to your pre-master you can do any analysis you need on the master, you have an extra level to see how the final record will sound without having to export and import the wav/mp3, you can resample from the pre if you want to print and not have to export. If needed you can add a utility and just add that 1db or -1db of gain (not recommended but handy) and finally and most commonly, working with vocals. You can send absolutely everything to the pre but the vocal group goes to the master, allowing a nice clean vocal to sit on top of the music rather than amongst it.

[@pikzel]

I see it all the time, but don’t quite understand the need for the pre-master. Your master i basically empty, why not just route Reference to ext out and everything else to master? Also, do you need the chain capture channel? Can’t you just send the chains directly to pre-master/master? Thanks for the great advice, I’m just trying to wrap my head around how to do this with the least number of channels for minimal clutter.

[@michaelpbrownell]

@WillHatton What is the reason for using Bass Mono, instead of Mono, on the first Utility within the Snare Chain? Thanks for the great tutorial of your set routing.

[@WillHatton]

Great question, for electronic music I like to have a quite a wide snare (or snare layer) and I don't want that rumbly stuff to be in the sides, everything else however is fair game! Happy to help!

[@marcwinnig]

I have Live 12 Lite and couldn't get it to work. Looked like it wants full-blown licensing. Do you realize we don't all have subscription or maximum Ableton purchased licenses?

[@lancemezh6345]

Hey love this template . One question: is this meant to be produced/mixed into? Will it benefit me to have tracks already routed to these limiters? Or should I have them routed to the master first before popping them into the limiter chains, and then those into the pre master ? Thanks

[@WillHatton]

I'm so pleased! You can do your mastering right inside the same template, I would route all your additional tracks to the limiting chain groups as you see fit!

[@lancemezh6345]

@@WillHatton Okay. I was wondering about mixing + initial sound design + production. Would you recommend starting each fresh track already routed to the chains or first sound designing/initial without the sounds routed THEN routing them once they’re cooked ?

[@danielnorkin18]

Another question - do you recommend turning off the premaster chain while making music and playing with ideas?

[@WillHatton]

Personally, I don't because you'll get a better overall feel for how the song is going to sound when it's finished but if CPU is an issue then of course you can. There's no one correct way to work!

[@danielnorkin18]

Ty

[@glock18glory]

Thank you for this video, might be a dumb question but what is the benefit of routing all of your groups to several "premasters" I guess, instead of just slapping the Basic and top limiters to the synth/bass groups themselves, and then maybe a soft clipper on each element?

[@jakobgeorgaudio]

Good question, looks like pro tools inspired bus routing meet ableton. Funnily enough, Pro tools now has Routing folders as well, just like ableton

[@danielnorkin18]

Great template, thank you. If I want to use a drum rack for all drums (kick, snare, and tops) which chain group would you recommend?

[@WillHatton]

No probs. In that case, probably just the main drum group where kick and snare is found.

[@danielnorkin18]

@@WillHatton ty

[@WillHatton]

Today's a deep dive folks! Utilise those timestamps at your leisure and if time isn't on your side, grab the template from the Patreon! 0:00 - What To Expect 1:10 - Tempo/Markers/Extras 3:12 - Quick-grab FX 4:17 - Track Organisation 6:33 - Chain Groups & Routing 9:18 - Pre-Master Chain 12:05 - Sends A&B 12:44 - Master Track 13:53 - Afterthoughts & Saving Template

[@gioelelizzeri6003]

Great content as usual! Dumb question, how do you use the sidechain sender? Inst easyer to use compressor on tracks and just set the sidechain to the kick?

[@WillHatton]

Yep, the sidechain sender is just set up should you want to drag kicks/transient sounds on the track. My comp is already set up to receive from this track. So it's just one of those things that reduces one extra click, if you use it - awesome, if not you can completely do away with it, use your current method of sidechaining or use a shaper!

[@joshuamartinez8990]

Such a great video. Crazy how that one Skrillex video changed the game. I feel like everyone uses this type of setup nowadays. Question for you: Is there any specific logic for why you set the volume of each group to -10?

[@WillHatton]

There’s always something like this in music that paves the way, whether it be a drummer changing from traditional grip to overhand, Kekuku using a steel bar to slide a guitar, or the slow devolve out of using the ribbon mics. Answer to your question: As I explained in the video, it brings all of your levels down across the board. So instead of you dropping a kick in at 0db and then your next instrument clipping the master, you give yourself more headroom!

[@starkillers77]

do you have to have suite for this to work ?

[@mixture1994]

7:25 You can add limiter directly to the group folder why to use chain routing ? Can anyone explain it to me i am bit confused. You can add chain of plugins on the group folder then you can route it to pre master ? Does it make any difference if you make routing chain first then add it to pre master ?

[@broghar]

Hi, enjoyed the video! Will this be usable on my macbook air m1 2021 version w 16 gigs ram? Would like to know ur machine specs as well. Thank u!

[@WillHatton]

As long as you have Ableton Live 11 (11.3 or higher) you’ll be fine! I also have the 2021 MacBook m1 and it runs fine

[@broghar]

Thx! Been learning a lot from your videos!

[@goldfingers8763]

why do pre master tracks instead of putting limiters on the groups or working in 32 bit and just master you tracks without all of the limiters ?

[@eastsidelight]

do you have a playlist for tutorial on ableton libe 11. Im a complete noob to music production

[@SekouTV]

I’m in the same boat

[@WillHatton]

I don’t really focus on any other daw but there are playlists in genre on my page too

[@eastsidelight]

@@SekouTV i just started using bandlab (on mobile and pc) man it is way more user friendly. Very nice features and many AI features too, i love it. Its perfect for me, I think ill stick with it until I feel like switching

[@danielnorkin18]

Sorry, last question. Your template really got me thinking. Why did you route the kick away from the sub chain. Mainly I ask bc it feels like the kick would benefit from rbass also. Would you recommend putting rbass on kick fx chain in this case.

[@WillHatton]

No, I don’t want it to mix with the bass or sub bass that I have in the mix. A lot of the muddy frequencies I’m going to get will be my bass (synth or guitar) mixing with the fundamental frequency of the kick’s bass. So I want my kick to smack and my bass to feel full, having rBass do both kick and bass will most likely result in a blurry mess of bass frequencies.

[@danielnorkin18]

@@WillHatton really appreciate your feedback

[@WillHatton]

@@danielnorkin18 no probs!

[@MFGH0ST]

Curious why xfer ott over ableton ott?

[@mattydatboi]

There is no difference. Native ott was based on xfer. Some people just like the gui

[@MFGH0ST]

@@mattydatboi makes sense. I’m in ableton so I always grab it, thought maybe there was something I didn’t know. Thanks!

[@mattydatboi]

@MFGH0ST if you don't know already amd want it the xfer version is free.

[@miket1186]

i see that in every chain and groups there's a Utility tool. Im kinda new to production.. so.. is there a problem if i put -12DB in every utility tool? to leave headroom? or is it not neccesary?

[@WillHatton]

In this template it’s not super necessary because you already have -10 on each track but you can do that if you want!

[@miket1186]

@@WillHatton ohh i see, thank you so much!

[@cecilia_mackie]

That’s brilliant! Shall we connect?

[@tommygold9725]

Is there another video that explains how to set up the template because this doesn’t explain how to do that

[@bthomas6655]

Thanks can anyone suggest a great template for Alternative?

[@bobbylarson5908]

Track EMOJI's for Non-Apple Users?!!! Right click on Track, go to->Rename than press "Windows Key" press "Period Key" (like at the end of a sentence).

[@WillHatton]

The hero they need

[@the_door]

xfer OTT instead of live OTT?... why?

[@barrycole5930]

Great question, its limited vs the stock plugin, it was designed to give non ableton users something at least closely resembling the stock, but excludes some powerful features.

[@WillHatton]

Just preference really, I’m only using it as an additive tool for ease. I’ll pull in Ableton’s multiband but xfer’s is just quick, which this template is all about!

[@rm4733]

pleaz download !

[@PostCardM]

For some reason i cant figure out I have a lot of input delay when recording. My computer is more than suffiecent to handle it so if anyone can help i would be stoked!

[@WillHatton]

Have you checked your buffer size?

[@KingjayProductions52]

i cant seem to download the template

[@WillHatton]

From the Patreon? Drop me a message over there and we’ll troubleshoot the issue, everyone has seemed to cop it fine!

[@KingjayProductions52]

i don't have the membership is this probably why am locked out of getting the template and i also just l made an account.@@WillHatton

[@maximgames5694]

You have winter in your home, or what?

[@WillHatton]

Yes… it’s the UK

[@808BOT]

How do I add the makers lol

[@WillHatton]

Right click top of the screen where the bar lines are "add marker"

[@808BOT]

@@WillHatton god bless you 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@rm4733]

por favor libere o download

[@qwertySnowy]

Is this free?

[@hostnik777]

WTF would anyone with Ableton use Xfer's OTT? It's just a dumbed down version of the OTT that COMES WITH ABLETON... It literally is inferior in every way.

[@WillHatton]

Thanks for stopping by

[@cecilia_mackie]

That’s fantastic! Let’s connect?

[@AndrewOlivares]

Great content! I can’t seem to find your workspace video though😢