Using Ableton to Control Nord/ Vice Versa
Using Ableton to Control Nord/ Vice Versa
This is my first time on the forum, so I'm not sure if this is the right place to post, but I thought it fit. I'm going to be purchasing a Stage 3 in the next month or so. In addition to playing keys/synth, I run tracks and the click from Ableton for my band. How would I set this up so when I start a new song in Ableton for it to control changes to the "Song" or program that I use with the Nord? Basically, I want Ableton to be the master control all changes on all of my devices and to make all of the necessary program changes when I change from one song to another. I also use a Pigronix Echolution Pro delay, so I would want it to change the programs on that as well. I know that this isn't necessarily a "Nord" questions, but I thought I'd throw it out there. I would also be interested in how the Nord could control everything as well (if that's possible). I want to be able to hit one footswitch switch to the next song (which also would trigger all program changes), another to start the song (including tracks in Ableton), and one to stop the song. Also, if anyone could point me in the right direction of any other useful resources that would be great. I'm up to the challenge and time required to learn how to program all of these things. I'm just not sure where to start out. Thanks!
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LudovicVDP
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Re: Using Ableton to Control Nord/ Vice Versa
Hi there.
I used to work with Ableton in Live situation. At the time, it was with with a Midi keyboard for some VST and my NL2ex.
With the Nord Stage 3, you already have Midi over USB. What I had was a Midi (Pin) to USB converter cable (from Roland, not expensive https://www.roland.com/global/products/um-one/ ) and on every slot in Ableton, I could set a program change so that triggering the slot would change my NL program.
With my Midi keyboard, I had a lot of pads and knobs I could assign for a lot of thing (there is no limit in Ableton) I also used a Behringer FCB1010 so I could trigger things with my feets (go to next line, play, stop, + diff effects with the expression pedals) The pedal would send messages to Ableton that would send to the NL.
The NS3 has its own feature to switch program with the foot but I don't know what the board can send to Ableton. The only way I worked was using Ableton as the master.The midi things (pedals and keyboard) sending messages to Ableton. Ableton sending messages to the NL.
Concerning your effect pedal, if it has Midi, you should also be able to send messages from Ableton without issue. Again, sending from the NS is something I'm not familiar with so I leave it to someone else to answer.
Sorry my answer is actually vague but there is more than 1 solution and it's difficult to make a full tutorial for all your needs here with printscreens etc...
But you can already find some good stuffs on Youtube. Starting from there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFEVwpk83bw
If you are not afraid to depend on a computer Live, the combination with Ableton is very VERY powerful. I surely miss it and I had to find some workaround for the limites of my NS2ex. But bringing a computer on stage always made me uncomfortable. Maybe one day, when I can afford switching to Apple. But that's another debate
Cheers
I used to work with Ableton in Live situation. At the time, it was with with a Midi keyboard for some VST and my NL2ex.
With the Nord Stage 3, you already have Midi over USB. What I had was a Midi (Pin) to USB converter cable (from Roland, not expensive https://www.roland.com/global/products/um-one/ ) and on every slot in Ableton, I could set a program change so that triggering the slot would change my NL program.
With my Midi keyboard, I had a lot of pads and knobs I could assign for a lot of thing (there is no limit in Ableton) I also used a Behringer FCB1010 so I could trigger things with my feets (go to next line, play, stop, + diff effects with the expression pedals) The pedal would send messages to Ableton that would send to the NL.
The NS3 has its own feature to switch program with the foot but I don't know what the board can send to Ableton. The only way I worked was using Ableton as the master.The midi things (pedals and keyboard) sending messages to Ableton. Ableton sending messages to the NL.
Concerning your effect pedal, if it has Midi, you should also be able to send messages from Ableton without issue. Again, sending from the NS is something I'm not familiar with so I leave it to someone else to answer.
Sorry my answer is actually vague but there is more than 1 solution and it's difficult to make a full tutorial for all your needs here with printscreens etc...
But you can already find some good stuffs on Youtube. Starting from there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFEVwpk83bw
If you are not afraid to depend on a computer Live, the combination with Ableton is very VERY powerful. I surely miss it and I had to find some workaround for the limites of my NS2ex. But bringing a computer on stage always made me uncomfortable. Maybe one day, when I can afford switching to Apple. But that's another debate
Cheers
Re: Using Ableton to Control Nord/ Vice Versa
Thanks for the reply! I'm not afraid to use a laptop on stage, but mine is getting a little old and know that at some point I'll have to upgrade in order to handle what I'm trying to do. I guess I need to do some more research on program changes as well.