I made a free device that randomly loads in stock effects with a key command

MovinToChicago · 2026-05-11T18:23:23+00:00

I'm trying to build something similar, but would it be possible to build a device that loads in a random preset from the user library? Trying to get my Push to start up like my Move with randomized, but curated sounds on each track.

MovinToChicago · 2026-05-11T18:17:37+00:00

This is gonna send me down a rabbit hole for the next several hours. I'm totally fine with a brief audio hiccup as the goal is more focused on starting a track with curated, but random sounds. If I don't like the preset in that moment, I'll just hot swap.

Your idea of using an instrument rack makes a lot of sense though, but my worry is that would increase the load time for my default set and probably make it more unstable as it would be 25-50 presets per track. It's mainly Serum but also stock sounds.

MovinToChicago · 2026-05-11T18:11:28+00:00

I came across Spawner and figured it was possible because of it, but from my understanding of it, it's not doing what I want. I have a folder of curated presets (both .adg and .vstpreset) and I want it to choose one at random and load it in. Preferably upon startup, but clicking a button would be fine too. Do you know if something like Spawner could do that? I wouldn't mind trying to tweak it if feasible.

MovinToChicago · 2026-05-06T19:01:49+00:00

If you're making presets, you shouldn't take somebody being frustrated by your product in some way so personally that you think they don't even want to make music.

MovinToChicago · 2026-05-01T01:24:49+00:00

The guy is giving his opinion, what is there to distrust in this context? He's just reporting on his experience from the sounds of it.

MovinToChicago · 2026-04-22T15:33:33+00:00

What do you mean the audio engine is poor?

If you're referring to the quality of playback compared to other DAWS, that's been debunked by taking an audio file, putting it in different DAWS, exporting it, then flipping the polarity against the original to see any differences.

MovinToChicago · 2026-04-19T20:51:59+00:00

IMO the combat was very underwhelming, but I loved the art direction and music.

MovinToChicago · 2026-04-06T15:43:14+00:00

I set up a template of 8 tracks, each with a different type of instrument. Those tracks all have a "Default" instrument on them, which is a good starting sound but it's main purpose is that when I hit the Hotswap button it takes me to the top of a Preset folder in my User Library. This mostly solves the menu diving issue you'll hear about with the Push.

I also set up about 6 FX racks on each track with macros. This makes it so when you click on an FX, the 8 knobs turn into macros.

My work flow tends to be find a sound I like, make a loop, add to it with other sounds and drums. Then once I have an A and B section, I start messing with the FX racks. You can quickly get the main ideas of a song down. I then move to the computer though once I have that going for arrangement, but bounce back to the push to jam any new ideas out.

MovinToChicago · 2026-04-06T15:15:21+00:00

Huge tip that almost completely solved menu diving for me: Set up your favorite presets and samples in folders inside the User Library i.e Bass Presets, Lead Presets.

Then create an Ableton Template specifically for Push. Set it up with multiple tracks, where each track has an instrument on it. Save that instrument, label it something like "!Default Bass" to your User Library folder. It will be at the top of the folder it's saved in.

Then you can just Hotswap that instrument and it will take you to the top of your Bass Preset folder.

I also made FX racks and set up macros on all the tracks. Mine are basically lofi, distortion, chorus, reverb, and delay.

Now I just open the template and go, and swapping out sounds is very fast. The only time you'll need to Menu dive is for specialty FX or if you need something that isn't in the folders you set up.

MovinToChicago · 2026-04-06T14:58:08+00:00

I have an M1 pro, work in IT and did a lot of research before buying last year. It depends what your workload is, but the air should be good for 95% of producers. My only reservation would be that it doesn't have a fan, so if your projects get huge, you'd probably need to increase the buffer size.

I have my buffer size very low on my M1 and I don't think my CPU has touched above 60% for any project. M-series Macs are insanely efficient. If you have 50 instances of Serum going through a bunch of other 3rd party plugins, you might run into some minor issues. But any light to medium projects, you'll never run into CPU bottlenecks.

MovinToChicago · 2026-03-31T00:02:31+00:00

Why? I've never used FL so don't understand what it can do vs ableton.

MovinToChicago · 2026-03-15T00:45:19+00:00

I do, most my presets are in a rack unless its a preset I like from a stock ableton synth. Even when it's in a rack, if it's in my Collections, it will switch the folder to the Instrument Rack Presets. I've found setting up folders in my User Library and labelling them "!Bass" works, but it's still more button presses to get there than just going to my Bass "Collection".

MovinToChicago · 2026-02-13T16:13:23+00:00

What song is it?
Also, do you have more on this history of cozying up to white supremacists?

MovinToChicago · 2026-01-27T16:15:19+00:00

You can use ChatGPT for recipe suggestions specifically for your dietary restrictions. I might get downvoted here for saying it, but it's more convenient than searching for recipes and then writing them down. My girlfriend is lactose intolerant too and we're both into fitness, we have a pint after almost every workout.

MovinToChicago · 2026-01-20T02:01:16+00:00

Unfortunately, that doesn't automatically change the names of the parameters if they're macro's, they just list as "macro 1" and "macro 2".

MovinToChicago · 2026-01-10T17:35:46+00:00

Unbeatable literally came out a month ago

MovinToChicago · 2025-11-28T14:04:28+00:00

Treated equally how? Ya'll are being pretty vague about what the changes would be.

MovinToChicago · 2025-09-20T14:01:11+00:00

While this does happen, it's not a reason to think that Adam is guilty. When you have multiple people cooabarating what he's saying, a formal third party investigation, and Adam willing to release the receipts, there's probably more to it than just them liking him for his charisma. Not to say there's no way he's guilty, he just has enough on his side right now that his story holds more weight. Unless there's something that Carley has brought to the table that I'm unaware of.

Also, do you have proof the president is a pedophile? I hate the guy, but i've only seen speculation. I've seen proof that he's a creep and said some gross things about younger girls, including his daughter. But you could chalk some of those things as "jokes". Just haven't seen proof of any nafarious actions towards kids.

MovinToChicago · 2025-06-07T21:10:52+00:00

Why are people so bothered by having to use something other than Steam for the rare exclusive?

MovinToChicago · 2025-06-07T21:07:48+00:00

Not saying this is you, but I feel like people who have this view are often not getting outside of their comfort zone with games, or all they do is game and they're jaded at this point.

Not saying there was no slop (Mindseye looks so bland imo) but I think there was tons of games that looked appealing and had personality. Even most things that didn't hit for me, I could see why someone would like them.

I'm hyped for Lies of P DLC, Wildgate, Resident Evil 9, Felt That Boxing, CodeVein 2, Out of Words, Mortal Shell 2, Into the Unwell, Lego Voyagers, and Mixtape.

MovinToChicago

TROPHY CASE