Recording into Ableton Live using the arrangement view – part one of my area of expertise
In the screenshot below, we can see an audio track being recorded in Ableton Live’s arrangement window.
The window can be accessed by clicking on the yellow icon in the top right hand corner of the screen indicated by the red arrow. Toggling between the arrangement view and alternative session view can also be performed by pressing the tab key on the keyboard.
This audio track called ‘new’ is recording a bass guitar that has been plugged into the computers soundcard. The track includes an input/output box indicated by the blue arrow. The box can be toggled in and out of view by clicking on the yellow I/O button shown by the purple arrow. The bass being played here is plugged directly into an external soundcard connected to the computer. The soundcard can be selected as the input source from the drop down menu of options in the input/output box.
The track has been prepared for recording, or ‘armed’ by clicking on the button indicated by the green arrow. When the track is armed to record, this button is red. The global record function indicated by the yellow arrow is also turned on.
The black arrow indicates the monitor box which shows that the signal being produced by the bass guitar is not exceeding safe limits. While the bar remains green, the signal is not creating digital distortion. The levels being recorded can also be measured numerically in decibel ratings.
The bass guitar can be seen recording into the track as shown by the white arrow.
February 27, 2008 at 8:56 am |
Very solid post which clearly covers the technicalities of recording in the arrangement view. The main thing that was unclear was how the bass guitar will be used in your final piece (and therefore why recording was important to your project in the first place). It may be that this is only part of your exploration of recording…if so then this may become clear when you write the second half. If not then you need to put this in.
A few other things:
- You mention the I/O section – but don’t say why it is needed when recording your bass.
- You mention “safe limits” – what would this be in number terms and using what scale? (there is a way to actually see the input level as a peak number alongside the meter, which I didn’t demonstrate in the class but would be useful for you to find out). It would be good to show some understanding of recording terminology/theory here.
- It may be worth mentioning to click on your screen capture to enlarge it (some arrows don’t show on normal view).
February 28, 2008 at 12:15 pm |
I think the screenshot views are dependent upon which internet browser you use and perhaps on your own PC display options. I’m using Internet Explorer and everything looks fine to me.
February 28, 2008 at 6:57 pm |
Hmm weird – remind me I’ll take a look and see how they are in the training room.