Bridging the DAWless gap with Ableton Link
I have been working diligently to find the perfect hardware setup that will allow me to just sit down and jam out, recording the “performance” in case something good comes out of it. My “eureka” moment was when I was sitting there with two separate clocks running thinking, “How do I synchronize all of this and make it all work together?” That’s when I remembered that the MPC and Bitwig Studio both support Ableton Link.
Reference: Ableton Live on the MPC and The Dashboard (search for “link” on that page)
This is what I have so far, and it seems to be working. I’m a little worried about the noise with all of the equipment going through “legacy” gear, like my rack mountable Roland JV-2080 Synth Module, but in the end, I just want to have a good time and wind down from a day of solving puzzles and pushing paper.
Here is a diagram that will outline the current setup. I would like to work on this diagram and make it easier to follow, but I feel happy that I got the Signal and Audio aspects worked out and separated.
One of my primary goals was to keep the computer out of it, if possible, though this setup allows me to add DAW features as-needed (like using VSTs and keeping a clock). I also want to lean more on my MPC as the core of a studio setup because I’m very familiar with the workflow. I am also evaluating it so that I can determine if an MPC-X is right for me.
I have attached a Zoom H-6 to the end of the chain so I can just turn it on and start recording. I’ve found that if I record with it using batteries (rechargable, of course), I get less noise in the recording. Ultimately, though, I’m not concerned about the noise (I don’t have clean electricity in my “studio”, so I occasionally hear pop sound when playing and recording because of my mini-fridge).
I use the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 as my primary audio interface connected to my MPC. I plug the final studio monitors into outputs 1 and 2. Outputs 3 and 4 are sent to the Zoom for recording. The 18i8 is plugged into the MPC via a USB Hub. Additionally, I connect my instrument hardware to the USB hub and map it inside the MPC preferences. I don’t currently have my Wavestate setup because I’m waiting on an additional work table to be delivered soon. That is part of why I created the diagram, so I’ll have a reference when I pull everything apart and arrange it better.
The JV-2080 fits in my tabletop rack, in which I have a eurorack mount. I don’t yet have any eurorack modules, but the space is there when I need it in the future. I’m still trying to define what it is I need from a modular setup before spending a lot of money on it.
All of the audio out of my hardware goes to the mixer, with the final mix going into inputs 1 and 2 on the 18i8. I’m not incredibly happy about this setup, so I’m keeping an eye on the 18i20, so I can have more mature audio routing in the MPC.
To connect my legacy MIDI hardware, I am using a DOREMIDI MIDI expander. It has a single MIDI DIN input and 6 MIDI through jacks. It is connected directly to the MPC. I am trying to use USB MIDI where I can due to the additional control I have over the channel assignments. I think this is essential for the Waldorf Blofeld, because it can have up to 16 separate sound channels. It has its own internal mixer so you can get some amazing sounds out of it. It’s a great synth considering how old it is.
I’d like to get some effects pedals for my external devices (especially the Behringer Crave) so I can have more jamming mojo. I will likely decide on a combination of sequencers and effects for my eurorack. I’m interested to see how the MPC works with CV/Gate signals. I plugged my Crave into it, but I didn’t really know what I was doing and didn’t see much need for the feature. I’m sure I’ll appreciate it more once I learn how to use it.
I have my computer connected to a Scarlett 2i2 interface, with the outputs going to inputs 3 and 4 on the 18i8. This allows me to record audio from my computer onto my MPC (or the Zoom H6, since it’s in the chain), a feat which is practically impossible when using Open Broadcast Studio (OBS) to record computer audio.
I spent a good amount of time working on this layout. I don’t want to lose it when I rework my studio, so I put it here. I hope it provided you with some insight or gave you ideas for your studio.
Gluing all of this together with Ableton Link has allowed me to keep my arpeggiators in sync, as well as any other tempo-based sounds or modulations. It saved the day when I tought I was going to have to connect to my hardware through my computer. That’s what I’m trying to avoid here. If you noticed, using the computer is not required. This setup can work as a standalone system without even considering using the DAW. But, the option is there in case you need to add that extra flare. One odd side-effect is that you have to save the file on the MPC, as well as on the computer. So there’s the situation of how to synchronize the filenames and make sure you open the right projects in the MPC and the DAW. I am still working on my folder/file naming and a related structure that will help me keep the two parts together so they can be reloaded in the future. But, honestly, I rarely ever go back to a piece of music once I’ve released it, so I have gigabytes of unused music stored on my ever-shrinking SSD.