

This is because Ableton (at least on Mac) uses MIDI timestamping which sends the MIDI data out together with the audio. The most important thing for MIDI timing is to be able to run your project with a Audio buffer size of 64 samples or less, which means having a decent CPU. Then create another audio track to record the External Instrument but always monitor through the EI track. (Plugin Delay Compensation is always on). I monitor through the DAW and seem to get the best results by NOT using Reduced Latency When Monitoring and by putting all external sound sources on External Instrument tracks. It's ok to use negative delays for MIDI clock output (in Live's MIDI preferences) when syncing hardware sequencers/ drum machines) but not ideal. But that is confusing as well when you switch off monitoring.Īny other tips? Is this problem easier to deal with in cubase or reaper or another program?ĭon't use negative MIDI delays in Ableton- the only way a negative delay can work is by adding a positive delay to all the other tracks, and this will create problems. The best results I was able to get were not using the ext devices, using reduced latency when monitoring and setting a neg midi delay. I was wondering if it is because I'm trying to use ableton as a monitor/mixer and also send out that audio via ret tracks to hw effects then back in again. Whether I use the ext inst/eff devices or negative midi delays, the recordings are always either a little late or pushed too early and cut off the part of the first beat. Would any of these external sync devices even help me if i'm using both sync clocks and MIDI?Ĭs1729 wrote:I found this thread while I've been trying to figure this out, but I can't seem to get the settings right.

I've owned 2 ES8s, 2 computers, and many versions of Live. I've been getting Jitter/Latency with just my ES8 and modular for as long as i've owned it. I was having this problem even before I bought I was using MIDI. I don't even know what I can buy or who i can pay to fix this for me. I've been dealing with this for three years and I think I'm going crazy. The hardware latency parameter on the Ext Instrument device doesn't change a thing when i try to adjust it! I'm even recording at 32samples buffer time. I'm also sending clocks from my Elektron Digitone to a Mutant Brain module and my recordings are behind but by MUCH less. My recordings are still coming in way behind time. I am clocking my modular from Live and an ES-8, turning the monitoring off, and using an external instrument, have delay compensation/low latency monitoring on. It seems like everything is so inconsistent. Yeah I can't for the life of me get this to work. on the same track or in buses or sends that track goes through). If you are monitoring through Ableton, use Reduced Latency When Monitoring use the External Instrument device and, with exception of the External Instrument device, do not put latency inducing devices in the signal chain of that instrument (i.e. Just keep the principles in mind and create simple tests. If you are sequencing your hardware from Ableton and direct monitoring it (not through Ableton), then you probably do not need the External Instrument device. If you set the track delays manually yourself, it might be OK now, but later, if you add a plugin that induces latency, it will change the overall latency of your set, and then your shit will be off again. The reason it is good is that it compensates the VARIABLE latency induced by various plugins in your set. It is generally a good thing if you are monitoring your hardware through Ableton. One comment: If I were you, I think I would USE the External Instrument device. It is so commonly misunderstood, and I myself struggled with this for so long, so I try to help others avoid the same struggles. You saved my day!!!!! (many days actualy!!!)
