Editing Live Mixes - Audio Routing?

Nanzelmo

Goal 1: Edit Live Mix from Traktor Pro 3

Goal 2: Record a mix with Maschine sounds/loops incorporated.

Tech:

Traktor Kontrol S4 mk2 (deck)

Maschine Mikro mk3

Ableton live suit 12

Windows Computer

I have 3 very strong pieces of technology I cannot quite get to work together (Traktor/Maschine/Ableton).

[Headset connected through Traktor/No external speaker] I’ve made some live mixes on my deck and recorded using Traktors studio recorder. My issue with THIS, is that the recording doesn’t pick up the Maschine sounds when using that while mixing. Even though the MIDI clock is set up (controlled thru Traktor) and I can hear the sounds through my headphones. The recording that comes out when I’m done has 0 Maschine sounds.

I have made a lot of samples and beats in Maschine, I’ve grown to become very comfortable with it. Setting up pads to resemble the notes I want for my songs. Using Massive as well, I have a huge crate of sounds and samples. I know Ableton offers similar features and might be better for “editing” mixes (which is what I want to do), but I can’t get anything playing through Ableton.

update finally got Maschine playing through Ableton using it as a Plug-In (couldn’t find a better option) NOW, I can use Ableton and Maschine, which will allow me to create my own songs and record them/edit in Ableton. I can’t however mix Traktor mixes.

I really appreciate how Traktor & Maschine have the stem split features. Does Ableton have that? If so, I haven’t been able to do it with as ease as Maschine.

(Example of action I want to edit)

Traktor deck 1 has acapella, Traktor deck 2 has another songs beat, deck 3 another song. Maschine has samples I want to play while songs are mixing in Traktor. Even adding groups of sounds to play over the Traktor mix.

At last, if possible, being able to GO BACK, edit any miscues, mistimed transitions, and even add more effects if possible.

I know this is a tall glass, but I’ve watched hours of videos on YouTube, went to GC, asked other DJ’s. I can’t quite find the explanation I’m looking for. I’ve tried a 3rd party audio interface (Jack), but it honestly made the routing of audio more complicated.

Nanzelmo

More info if this helps…

• I have recordings of my +10 minute mixes. Are those the easily editable in Ableton?
• I notice I lose audio quality when recording mixes over and over of each other. After I’ve added on 3 more songs (to extend mix), the beginning has ****** quality than the songs later recorded.
• Ableton/Maschine record through loops and bars. Obviously live mixes are a little different as you’re timing up and throwing in random sounds/noises (from Maschine)

I guess I could just be more premeditated and make everything in Ableton, I’m just not that handy with it yet. I can slice up tracks using stem separation and chopping up parts I like using Maschine, just haven’t been able to find out how to do that in Ableton.

6xes

this idea of recording mixes is something, i took the time to look into some time back….

unfortunately, i use Reaper as opposed to Ableton

The way i would normally approach the recording aspects is:

1. send the 4 outputs of traktor as external outs into 4 separate virtual audio channels

2. receive the 4 virtual channels inside ableton on separate tracks

3. set levels & Press record

virtual channel software like voicemeter potato( 3ch ) for windows or matrix by vb-audio…

or

blackhole 64ch software for mac's basically provides the connection between the 2 applications

understand the audio signal flow

Traktor output —> (input) virtual channels (output)—>Ableton input

you will only hear the output from the ableton side… as traktor by this type of configuration has bypassed traktors mixer…

just be aware: that in the past, traktor 3 had a habit of quitting when adding extra channels when using external output, unsure of traktor4

6xes

concerning the aspect of Maschine and recording that side

you will likewise set up in maschine by using the group levels & outputting the groups to Ext 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc etc

(maschine audio signal flow)

Instrument(sound level)—>group—>Ext 1,2,3,4 etc etc

versus normal routing

Instrument(sound level)—>group—→ ext1 L/R (master)

the Ext channels L/R will need to be setup in the audio output preferences tab

and you will set them on different audio channels to traktor's

its good practice to set your Ext's based on musical type.. drums/melodic/bass/vocals etc

if a maschine group has multiple elements, ie… drums&base&melody, then you will need to go the the sound level & route the instruments to the appropriate Ext channels

again the audio signal flow

Maschine(Ext) outputs —> (input) virtual channels (output) —> Ableton track (separate inputs)

6xes

heres an old video…. and it shows a little bit of how the Maschine Ext's are routed out from either the group level or in some cases the sound level, but it is using Reaper, which is a power house for audio-routing & running multiple project Tabs in sync.

this very old Template was using windows… i have since switched to a basic m1Macmini 16gb, & run multiple applications into Reaper and use it as a audioHUB… ie Virtualdjfree/Maschine/Remixlive/algoriddimDJ/Ipad

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCAsDWCyoSM