Ohm Modes Ableton Live Remote Script
From Livid Wiki
Contents |
Introduction
This Ableton Live Script for the Ohm64 provides automatically mapped control over your Live Set when using the Ohm64. With three "virtual" controllers available, the controller can be instantly remapped to offer a new control mode, depending on your task: Mixing, Playing, or DJ'ing. Requirements Ohm64 Ableton Live 8.2.2 or above
Installation
Download the zip file from the Livid Apps page. Unzip the file and place the folder in the appropriate Live MIDI Remote Scripts directory:
- Macintosh – Right click on the Live application icon and select "show package contents". Put the OhmModes folder in Contents/App-Resources/MIDI Remote Scripts
- Windows - put the OhmModes folder in C:\Program Files\Ableton\Live 8.x.x\Resources\MIDI Remote Scripts
Setup
Open Ableton Live, and open your Live Set. Open the Preferences window, and select the "MIDI" tab. In the top Control Surfaces area, select "OhmModes" in the Control Surface Menu, and select "Ohm64 Control Surface" or "OhmColor Control" as the input and output ports. If you intend to map some of the unused buttons or over-ride some of the assignments, select the Ohm in the Track and Remote columns below.
Changing the Mode
When you first open Live or select the Livid Ohm control surface, the Ohm will be mapped with its first page of control: Mixing. Use the buttons on either side of the crossfader to change the mappings to the other tasks.
Press the Left Crossfader button to illuminate the LED and change to the Playing controller. Press it again to turn off the LED and return to the Mixing controller, or press the Right Crossfader button for the DJing controls. When in Playing mode, the backlights behind the knobs will pulse their brightness.
Press the Right Crossfader button to illuminate the LED and change to the DJing controller. Press it again to turn off the LED and return to the Mixing controller, or press the Left Crossfader button for the Playing controls. When in DJing mode, the backlights behind the knobs will slowly ramp down the brightness.
Read on to learn about the variety of controls in the virtual controllers.
The Modes
1. Mixing
The Mixing mode offers sends, pans, clip and scene triggering, track controls and selection, and session navigation and zoom.
The top right function keys provide Play and Stop controls for your set, as well as Session navigation controls. These nav buttons will move the red highlight box in Live, re-orienting the buttons, sliders, and knobs to different tracks and clips.
The left side of the Ohm offers Track controls for Send A and B levels, Pan, Volume and Track Select for the four leftmost tracks highlighted by the session's red box. Since there are fewer knobs on the right side, these are only assigned to Pan.
The button matrix is dedicated to launching scenes, clips, and Track solo, mute, and record arm functions.
The far right channel strip is dedicated to Master Volume, Prehear levels, and Master Track select.
The two buttons labeled u/a are unassigned, and open to user-assginment using Live's MIDI Mapping.
Hold down the Zoom button, and the 8x8 grid will change its appearance and function so you can quickly navigate the red highlight box to a different part of your Live set, simply by pressing a button in the 8x8 grid.
2. Playing
The Playing mode focuses controls on making music and modifying device parameters. Because the controls are directed to a specific track, there is no Session navigation in this mode.
The top right function keys provide Play and Stop controls for your set, as well as octave shifting for the Keyboard functions and device selection for the currently active track.
The top left 4x2 grid of knobs is dedicated to controlling parameters in the currently active device. You can navigate to a different device in your track using the device L and device R buttons.
The sliders and knobs are dedicated to controlling Send A levels and Track Volume on the seven tracks highlighted by the red box.
The buttons below the sliders will arm a track for recording (and allow for instrument playing with the drum pads, bass bads, and keyboard) as well as activate a track and select the first device.
The button matrix is divided into sections to address different types of instruments.
The top left 4x4 grid will map to the drum pads in a drum rack instrument. These buttons will chase the Pad View in the rack, providing the most flexibility possible.
The top right 4x4 grid is suited for crafting bass lines, with a fixed note map:
| C-2 | E-2 | G#-2 | C-1 |
| C#-2 | F-2 | A-2 | C#-1 |
| D-2 | F#-2 | A#-2 | D-1 |
| D#-2 | G-2 | B-2 | D#-1 |
The bottom 4 rows are for scales and keyboard playing, with the last row providing scale selection:
| Ionian (major) | Dorian | Phrygian | Lydian | Mixolydian | Aeolian (minor) | Locrian |
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7 | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 | 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7 | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7 |
The far right channel strip is dedicated to Master Volume, Prehear levels, and Master Track select.
3. DJing
The DJing mode is a variation on the Mixing mode to provide controls for a DJ. In addition to session navigation and zoom and clip and scene triggers, this mode provides EQ controls, A/B toggles to assign tracks to the crossfader, BPM controls, and a row of user-assignable buttons to better customize your set. Of course, for the EQ controls to work, you need an EQ-3 or EQ-8 audio effect in your tracks!
