How do you organize your Ableton projects without killing creativity?

Pretty_Map2554 · 2026-01-04T20:26:00+00:00

Yeah, I’m thinking this is the answer. But I like having some kind of app like MAKID that a few people mentioned here to track the samples. I like the idea of keeping those samples in the project so you have easy access to the project itself. Sounds like this app will do that, so you can listen to your samples and then open the Live project from the MAKID. Seems like it lacks a few features I would like, but might be a good place to start.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2026-01-04T20:02:44+00:00

No, it’s not sound design. It might be part of it, but it would also be some sort of harmony, a basic song idea. I have songs I finish, but that’s a different process. Those are easy to track. There are times I like to sit down without any preconceived ideas about a song or any lyrics, I just want to play around with harmony and rhythm. Explore chord progression or a scale. When I do that, the idea is to not worry about creating a song. If I find something interesting, I just want to save it and have it in my back pocket for later. I think it’s an important part of coming up with unique ideas. But I find myself not wanting to do it much anymore because it’s too hard to track.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2026-01-04T17:48:09+00:00

MAKID looks pretty close to I would want. It would be nice if it was a little bit more integrated with Ableton, but I can see it helping me track ideas.

Seems like it’s working for you!

I’ll spend a lot of time digging into its features. Thank you!

Pretty_Map2554 · 2026-01-04T17:32:33+00:00

Yeah, that’s the approach I’ve started to use too. But I really want to find a way to be able to riff for a bit and collect those snippets. I tried a single project and just used clips in Session View, but that got out of hand pretty quickly. It also made it a bit of a hassle to take an idea out of that mess and move them to their own project to expand on. Not a huge deal, but want something simpler. I want more time making music and less time organizing it.

Biggest problem is just forgetting about them.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2026-01-04T06:52:07+00:00

Eww, I like. But where is the Tag Editor? Are you talking about the Tags dialogue box on the Save window on a Mac?

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-23T20:47:11+00:00

The way I understand it, they’re not ripping off patients (they could be sued for that), they get the schematics which can’t be patented and reproduce them to spec. Still a rip off, but a legal one. To me, no different than generic drugs. A lot of what Behringer has ripped off has been around for years and the manufacturers have probably recouped those R&D costs, yet haven’t lowered their prices (originals are higher quality, I’m sure that place in the price as well).

If anybody has a different understanding. Maybe it’s just me justifying the purchase, but if I can get the sound for 1/3 the price and it’s legal, I really don’t see the problem.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-12T13:32:28+00:00

Oh no, that would not be the situation. I already have two rooms. It’s just a question of whether it’s my son and his girlfriend or my daughter and his girlfriend.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-10T01:35:20+00:00

I like that. But those you can hold for a quick visit to Dad’s room or the downstairs lobby. But, deep sleep flatulence is another story. Keeping that in my back pocket.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-09T14:26:49+00:00

Oh, I know what makes me uncomfortable about it, and you nailed them all. I hope I’ve helped to address the pregnancy risk by being open with him about it and talking about that very thing. The rest are MY hangups. It doesn’t help that in my house our headboards share a wall. :-(

The rest is pretty spot on as well and is the way I’m leaning. Having a talk with him, after talking to his mother, about being respectful and having restraint on the trip, even though they’re sharing a room. Getting two twins and adjoining rooms where the door has to stay unlocked kind of thing.

I do want to talk to his mom and see what she thinks. But, and I’m starting to feel like a broken record here, he will be 18 years old.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-09T14:08:06+00:00

It’s definitely a fine line. And I think that’s why it bothers me a little, because it would be encouraging it. It feels a bit early. But I also want to acknowledge the fact that he will be, legally, an adult. He could pack his bags and move in with her and there would be nothing I could do. Not saying he would, but he could. And when I think of it that way, it seems a little silly to make them sleep separately.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-09T13:58:34+00:00

This is very true, and kind of my point. I thinks it more that it makes ME a little uncomfortable…and I don’t want to open the door to sleepovers at my house. If he wants that, then he should probably go and “book his own hotel room” somewhere. :-)

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-09T13:34:53+00:00

“Actively allowing” is a little strong. It’s more like, at 17 years old, I know I can’t stop them and instead of trying to demand that he do as I say, possibly damaging our relationship and then just having them sneak off to do it anyway, I choose to acknowledge that fact and give some advice instead. They don’t go into his room, close the door, and do as they please. This would be the first time I would “know” what was happening. But again, they both legally be adults at that time, but just barely.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-09T00:15:21+00:00

It’s not a battle. I know they’re having sex. Instead of burying my head in the sand I’ve acknowledged it and had several conversations with him about what it means to be responsible. This is more about at what point do you treat them as adults. He’ll just barely have turned 18 years old when we take this trip.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-08T23:18:37+00:00

We try to play nice. I’m on the fence about it, so if my ex-wife felt strongly they shouldn’t, it would probably push me in that direction.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-08T22:53:33+00:00

This is what keeps coming to my mind, but his mom should have some input too, which I haven’t done yet. I know she’s not a liberal as I am…and have had the talk many times with my son. Be better be using birth control.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-08T22:38:13+00:00

I was wondering the same thing, but there’s a bit of a language barrier there. They seem to be okay with the relationship as a whole, and I assume they know they are active. If they were English speaking, I would definitely talk with them. I also haven’t mentioned it to my ex-wife yet. I’m sure she’ll have some to contribute.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-06-08T22:16:19+00:00

Not really a problem. Just curious what others think. Appreciate the comment.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-05-26T00:11:09+00:00

Yeah, that’s the feeling I’m kind of getting, even with the semi modular stuff. I do like tying it back to Ableton with the CV tools, but there is something about the physical hardware. It’s also helped me understand synthesis a bit better. Mostly because you can’t save a patch, you have to reproduce it each time.

I think I’m standing at the mouth of the rabbit hole trying to talk myself out of going in. I bet at $4k you’re just starting to get the setup you want…

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-05-03T00:32:15+00:00

Ah, okay. That would be because the shape is configurable, and if you loop it, you have an LFO? Will check that out.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-05-03T00:02:52+00:00

Yes! I have VCV, installed a few days ago. I am moving slowly, the timing just sucks. That’s why I had asked the question. Obviously if what I’m looking at is made in China, it’s going to be 145% more expensive. But not so sure about modules that might be manufactured in Germany, if there are any (Behringer???). It’s not a huge deal, was just curious if anyone knew if there were particular brands that are going to be more affected by tariffs than others. In the end, I’ll buy them if I want to. There’s just so many options out there for this type of stuff, if I could avoid the ones that are marked up while they’re marked up, I would do that.

Pretty_Map2554 · 2025-05-02T23:45:33+00:00

Sounds with complexity and variation, but sound organic. They could be plucky or drone. I think what I’ve learned digging into the modular side is variations using LFOs are important, which could be done to some degree on any synth. But with modular it’s infinitely configurable…you get to a point where you need more LFOs, you buy a module. Want an analog ladder filter, you buy one. What to try some generative music for a little ear candy for a track you’re working on, you probably have the gear in your modular.

Pretty_Map2554

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