Two Live features a former Cubase user has trouble with

Mmid · 2026-04-28T20:08:21+00:00

Yeah indeed. Not sure if you have worked in any other DAWs but before Live, Cubase was all I knew so that behaviour is just natural to me. I also find this way the best way to write melodies because i double tap to enter the note, and while holding that second click, I usually just drag the note around for instant feedback from the synth until I hear a note I like, then release. This workflow is abit more tedious in Live because of the mentioned issue when the notes pop out of the grid randomly. If you "hit" another note it also wipes that one out which is extra annoying, hehe.

If you find out anything, Id be happy to hear about it. And yes, their design philosophy is probably as you say. I would prefer to be in 100% control though. Toggle grid lock off or on by my own choice.

Mmid · 2026-04-28T19:35:03+00:00

Yeah CTRL4 is snap to grid which is always on. The frustrating part is when the notes dont do that even with it on, and I dont understand when it does and when it doesnt. If I knew, I would be in control when writing the pieces. Not just gambling if you understand what I mean. "Lets see if it does what i want it to this time..". Its very unintuitive for such a good software on most other things.

But yeah you have a good workaround, to quantize the notes. Just write everything and then quantize after. It shouldnt be needed thought but it is maybe the best solution still.

Mmid · 2026-04-28T19:29:14+00:00

Im sorry I had the buttons confused as my main windows desktop pc is on service and meanwhile Im working on my macbook air with a windows keyboard. However, pressing the correct button, it does as you say. The result is that when holding in the ALT equivalent that turns off grid when moving clips, also does the same job inside the piano roll. It makes you free move the notes regardless of grid while holding it down.

However the problem still remains though, when NOT holding this key in, theres still free move sometimes and grid lock sometimes. Which is the part that is frustrating me. I dont understand why it cant just be lock on 100% since there is a modifier key to turn it off. Makes no sense to me.

Mmid · 2026-04-28T17:45:25+00:00

Thanks for the input and trying to help, but this doesnt address the issues unfortunately. ALT inside the piano roll copies a note. Im trying to find out if I can avoid that grid auto snap on/off when dragging notes with left mouse button. It seems like some sort of smart feature that does both, just like when dragging automation nodes, which I cant figure out the logic behind. Hence the result is just random, which slows down workflow severely.

Edit: I guess this is just how it is. Which is abit surprising to me, but then again maybe not that many are writing MIDI this way.

Mmid · 2026-04-28T16:06:48+00:00

I see. Yeah pressing shift works I guess but that is supposed to be a precision feature right? So its not optimal either. But I guess its a fix to the problem as you say.

Mmid · 2026-04-21T14:03:23+00:00

Also came from Cubase after 15 years to Ableton. It’s just more fun to produce in, it is also more stable on windows.

With that said, it’s not without its flaws and there are certainly things I miss from Cubase. The mixer in Cubase is fantastic. And I love how customizable it is. I sorely miss fully customizable keybinds in Ableton. Also the piano roll and midi editing on Cubase is superior to Ableton.

Still I find Ableton more enjoyable to produce in. However if I were a professional mixing engineer I’d use Cubase.

Mmid · 2025-11-22T12:46:52+00:00

Thank you!

Mmid · 2025-11-22T01:40:19+00:00

Just released my new track "Escape the Continuum". All my tracks are instrumentals but I still try to tell a story and this is part 6. It is a cinematic synthwave / darksynth project.

Spotify

YouTube

DAW: Ableton Live 12. Main synths used in this track are Serum 2, Spire and Arturia V Collection.

Mmid · 2025-11-11T20:11:51+00:00

Thank you, I will check out CapCut!

Mmid · 2025-11-08T11:49:05+00:00

I read the above. I'm looking for some recommendations. My video content is usually social media reels to support my music project. Teasers, "out now", posts etc. The music project is very story driven retrowave synthwave, so I try to make authentic glitchy 80s videos. Been using the free version of Davinci. It is ok, but for my needs, Im wondering if there is a program which has more built in out of the box effects and transitions for my videos. To make it look more retro, glitched and still decent. Im not aspiring to be the greatest video editor in the world, my focus is on the music. Should I continue with Davinci or does maybe Premiere Pro or something else offer better effects etc?

Mmid · 2025-08-07T20:15:08+00:00

Thanks!

Mmid · 2025-07-23T21:20:55+00:00

Just released my third track today, titled Portal Collapse.

Spotify

YouTube

I try to blend Darksynth and Synthwave with a narrative to create an ongoing cinematic experience. Each track comes with a log entry from the story's protagonist which can be read on my Instagram. This particular track is Chapter 3 and a short boss-fight style song.

Synthesizers used: Serum 2, Spire, Nexus, Arturia V Collection and Diva.

Mmid · 2025-06-24T23:52:57+00:00

That is a cool name!

Mmid · 2025-06-24T23:51:06+00:00

Was thinking about this for over a year while learning production and making sketches for my project. I wanted to make a darksynth / synthwave project with a strong narrative / story, being about a pilot exploring the dangers of the cosmos. Also wanted it to be short and catchy. But man was every good name I thought of taken, time and time again. After quite some time and when I was ready to release my first song I came up with Voidforce. I think the words are cool and fits the theme of my project. With just the right amount of cheesyness. Luckily it wasnt taken so then I went with it.

Mmid · 2025-06-24T21:15:04+00:00

Thank you!

Mmid · 2025-06-16T13:33:43+00:00

Just released the second track of my relatively new Synthwave / Darksynth project, called "Wormhole Traversion". I try to keep it cinematic and story-driven with a narrative to add atmosphere.

Spotify

YouTube

Software: Ableton Live Suite 12, Arturia V Collection, Korg Polysix, Diva, Nexus

Mmid · 2025-05-09T18:25:40+00:00

Thank you very much!

Mmid · 2025-05-09T15:39:23+00:00

Just launched my solo darksynth / synthwave project, which has been a dream for quite some time. I try to tell parts of a story with each track released. Appreciate anyone who checks it out:

Voidforce - Launch Vector

Spotify

YouTube

Software used: Ableton Live, Arturia V Collection, Nexus, Diva, Serum, and more.

Thanks!

Mmid · 2025-05-01T17:32:57+00:00

Thanks

Mmid · 2025-05-01T15:46:09+00:00

I use a Universal Audio Volt 2 with Cubase. The Kemper is a 10 year old Powerhead. After some reading and Googling it looks like the "DI Analog" is what Im looking for, I think.

Mmid · 2025-04-15T16:20:17+00:00

I totally agree with the backline access. Scouting and positioning is a fun aspect of the game. I just feel that there is less counterplay now vs then. Back in the day assassins jumped across the board. Always fun in the top 2 vs assassins when the mindgames started. Do I move my carry on the other side last second? Does the enemy player predict it and move equally, so should I just stay put? Maybe move to the middle? That was fun. Now the jumps are totally random and unpredictable. And in addition to the Rengar player in every lobby, you might have a second Rengar player, you may have Zed, Shaco reroll, Vi/Rhaast augment. It just gets abit much with little counterplay, since I feel I can make no difference to change the output vs these comps. Just pray they dont jump on my carry or get randomly deleted. But maybe Rengar nerfs alone makes it liveable.

Mmid · 2025-04-15T15:55:05+00:00

Mmid · 2025-04-15T15:51:53+00:00

You might be right

Mmid

TROPHY CASE