Synth Setup Tips #2 // Ft. Martin Stürtzer // Building performance sets with Ableton Live 

Thank you so much inviting me to this series! It was a lot of fun talking to you and I hope no one got scared hearing my voice for the first time.

i would appreciate a music theory for synthesizer players course a lot :) this video is also very helpful, thanks!

A pleasant surprise to see Mr Sturtzer here, his work is amazing.

Whooaaaa!! I’m so happy that synth community becomes more and more connected, Martin is one of my favorite space travellers. This is good sign for next year 🙌🏼

An absolute pleasurable half hour ... Getting ‘good’ free advice is as good as listening to the music itself..thank you...

As someone who's only been making music with Ableton and hardware synths for under a year, it was reassuring to watch this and see lots of similarities between Martin's setup and approach to recording and mine. It makes me feel like I'm on the right track. The tips about different implementations of Program Change methods in different devices, and about recording the MIDI tracks Pre-FX and turning off monitoring of the audio track to avoid latency, are great. I do a few things differently -- like having my FX on sends and using hardware latency compensation. Also, rather than save an Ext Instrument Device preset for each synth, I use 3 different track group presets. The first group has 1 MIDI track for each synth, each with an ext instrument that listens to MIDI coming from my keyboard controller I have on my desk, so I can play any synths without getting out of my chair, with Monitor set to Auto, but Ext Inst Audio To set to "none". The second track group has 1 MIDI track for each synth, but this one listens to MIDI coming from the synth itself, so I can move over to where all the synths are on the other side of the room and test out sounds, or just noodle around. These tracks are also crucial for recording CC automation of the synth's parameters. These tracks have Monitor set to in, so I can always hear the synths when I play them. Again the Ext Inst Audio To is set to "none". And the third group contains 1 Audio track for each synth, and where all my FX live, that I can record to once I'm happy with the MIDI. The audio track also has a utility device on it so I can set a custom gain level for each synth. The tracks are grouped this way rather than by instrument so that on my controller and push I can see all the MIDI tracks next to each other so I can more easily switch between them. It seems like a lot, but having the tracks set up in this way allows me to do several things: -Program sequences in Ableton, either by playing them on the synth, playing them on my controller, drawing them in the piano roll, or using the Push -Jam using my hardware sequencer and just using Ableton to monitor -Multitrack record the audio, MIDI Notes, and MIDI CC info of a performance -Go back and edit the CC automation, smooth out curves, fix mistakes, etc. -Be able to re-record parts -Continue to be able to change the software and hardware FX settings Most importantly, it allows me to do all of the above without unplugging anything, changing any routing settings, and even with minimal toggling on and off of record arm buttons.

Lovely to watch people chat about their interests

Martin Stürtzer, thank you so much for that generous sharing of your process. You're advice on making live sessions and your recording advice are lifechangers for me. Thank you!

What a nice, humble guy. I've been following Martin quite some time now, great to see him here explaining his setup and sharing his thoughts. Thank you, loopop, keep it up and stay healthy! :)

I loved Martin's comments about making albums. I think the idea of an album that flows in an arc to tell a story is very important, and it's nice to see that people still value this and try to achieve it where possible.

Yes....please continue the artist series! Love the gear demo/reviews as well. I’m truly grateful for all the information you graciously share with us.

Two of my favorite youtubers cooperate together in one video. I don't think it can get any better than that. Very good and interesting stuff here and as always #qualitycontent

Thank you so much for doing these. I say that to you, loopop and to the artists who have been featured. I hope this is only the start. Love love love these.

Thank you so much loopop for having Martin on! He is awesome to watch work and I have been very interesting in a break down in his workflow and setup. Hearing him explain some pro and cons in his particular view point does really sway my original ideals. An that is a great thing for growth!

I really enjoyed listening to Martin explaining some of his workflows and sharing many useful tips. I will start including some of them in my workflows right away. I would love to see more tutorials with Martin such as how he comes up with ideas for albums, music theory for synth heads, etc.. Loopop and Martin, you are both great!

Thanks very much for sorting this out, it was great to get to feel more comfortable about the planning and problem solving aspect of our work. A performing synth collection is indeed like an orchestra, and at every time event during the performance, they must ALL be on the same page.

Yes! Been following Martin for years

This is a godsend. I use Ableton heavily and have been trying to figure out how to get my hardware synths to work together with it. This workflow is EXACTLY what I've been looking for. Thank you so much, to both Martin and Loopop for this.

As someone that is currently struggling with my setup, I found this MASSIVELY helpful ... also love Martin's work and have been following him for a while.....

This series of "Synth Setup" is simply AMAZING, cant wait to get more episodes :) every chapter is a master class. Thanks for sharing!

Martin Stürtzer, thank you so much for sharing your tips & trics.

Thank you both for this. I’ve become a big fan of Martin Stürtzer and have wanted to ask him many of these same questions.

Many thanks for this, Ziv. Really appreciate the effort and the content is spot on! So nice to be able to see what others are doing with exactly the same issues across hardware and software.

I love this series so much. It's so useful for coming up with workflows. thank you so much for providing this venue and finding these fantastic contributors

this is great. thank you. hope more is coming. seeing how people approach live performances is very interesting. It took me 3 years to finally find a configuration that has the level of freedom i wanted and is expandable in various ways.

i'll grab a tea... What a great surprise ! I've been listening Martin work for a while now. His videos are delightfull to watch, a lot of insight of the music production and he's quite whiling sharing his knowledge

This is a great resource. Thank you Martin & Loopop for taking the time!

I enjoy how Martin decided to make a intro track in Loopop's style.

That's pure gold, thanks! Maybe you could consider inviting State Azure next?

Very, very informative, just what I was searching for, a very detailed analyse of a synth setup. I'm in the middle of expanding my synth gear and listening to various ideas on how to connect and integrate everything with all the different approaches means a lot to me. Thanks for this great interview and thanks to Martin for intorducing the setup in the best way.

Please try to get Colin benders on this, curious to see how he sets things up

Nice! Thank you to both Martin and Loopop!

Definitely more of this series, please! Fantastic! 🤗😁👊

Another amazing video! Thank you so much for making this one with a computer setup (esp. Live) that’s exactly what I needed 🙏

Awesome stuff, big ups to both of you Ziv and Martin !

Martin! Thank you for sharing. This is a great, clear explanation of how to be prolific. Elegant systems! Loopop thank you for featuring!

This Series has been extremely helpful. Thank you! These first two videos have solved problems in my studio that have been driving me insane

Keep them coming @loopop!

I really appreciate these videos, as a tech savvy guitarist who dabbles in MIDI gear I find them really useful, thanks!

Vielen Vielen Dank Martin und Neptun😻 für die interessanten Einblicke. And may thanks to loopop.

these series are amazing! very inspiring, hoping there are more down the road.

@loopop: This type of editorial content is super interesting and I appreciate it very much.

WOW! This video is a treasure of information. I've been trying different setups for years. With DAW, DAWless, hybrid, etc. Encountered issues with every setup and I'm still searching for what works best for me. But this workflow and setup really is an eye-opener and will definitely help me out. Thank you very much! ❤

These are amazing. More please! Thank you!

That was awesome! Definitely want more of these plz.

This new series is great, keep them coming

That was great - thanks Martin you give a really good rundown of your setup - more of these please thanks Loopop

Brillinat video, so fun to watch, Martin is a legend

Really a great video, Martin and Ziv- very helpful to hear details about setup and how you use the DAW- thanks very much!

This video was perfectly timed for me. I’ve just started to use Ableton to take control of my set up with the end goal of something very similar. Very informative. Love to see some more videos on using Ableton controllers like the APC MK2 to sequence and control eurorack and other hardware synths during a performance. Amazing job as always 🙏🏻

Thank you loopop, thank you Martin. These insights are amazing.

Super nützlicher Einblick in Deine Arbeitsweise! Ich habe so viel gelernt, dass ich mich getraut habe, auch selber mal was im Homestudio aufzunehmen... Danke Martin!!!

Very cool and very helpful to all of us out here just starting out, thanks Martin and Loopop!!!

I am simply amazed by this video. So much useful information, and this hybrid setup from Ableton to Synts is great. Thank you!

Always love your videos! This series is a great addition to your channel too!

Love these videos, keep em coming please!

The 2nd Synth setup episode is as good as the 1st one, thanks for your in depth explanation! Hope to see nr 3 soon.

Nice presentation. I enjoy this new series of getting into a producers head and picking their brain for ideas, trouble shooting, and tips. Keep up the great work.

great insight! Thanks Martin! Love your live sets.

Much learned. Thx Martin & loopop.

This was a masterclass! Excellent presentation. Clear and insightful. Thank you.

Great stuff Ziv, Martin is such an amazing artist, this is very informative, please keep it up.

One of the best and most informative tutorial vids I've seen. I wish I was 30 years younger, and still had my memory and brain cells better able to follow his setup and use these techniques.

Fabulous! Also, I loved Martin's music, which I sadly did not know until just now.

Great video explaining some key features a lot of people forget. This was my basic philosophy for live sets since my third live set. After having a full computer lockup and crash during my first live show. Great video a lot of people can learn from this. ;)

I enjoy this series very much and would like to see more!

what a great guy, musician and sympathetic guest!!! Loved it!

Thank you for this great idea and for choosing such qualified musicians to share they knowledge!

These are great! Keep them coming.

Love this series!

Super interesting, first video from I watch from you with this format.

Lovely format and crystalline, wünderbar explanation!

I enjoy this series and want to see more.

Hi loopop, thanks for making these very interessting videos. Keep on and stay save🖤

Happy holidays, Great series. Thanks!

Thanx for these videos. It was a great idea and I look forward to seeing many more.

Yes, more please. 🤙🏼

These videos are great. Would love to keep seeing more!

Amazing series loopop, more please!

Best live sets I've heard ever from this guy

This was so interesting, great set-up and simplifies alot, Ableton is very powerful as a brain

This was great!!!!! More please!!

Wow, such a great video with lots of useful information. Martin is a great musician and he seems like a really nice guy.

So many helpful tips! 🙏

Thank you Martin for your tips! Basically I do the same. Push2 as main controller, Ableton as Sequencer, every synth go directly in my Tascam Model 12 (I use it as audio interface).

Great idea to bring this guy.

What a good idea to Invite diff producers in for this videos. Its att great way to learn! Martin was fascinating! Id like more of him

This was really informative and awesome. Love this series.

Very helpful and interesting. Thank you for sharing so generously!

Very interesting, thanks for making this!

Yes please Martin Stürtzer!!! I'm 100% interested in a music theory for synthesizer players course!!!!

Yes please this was awesome

Best series you've done dawg

Thanks lot for this series and yes we can have more. so informative. cheers.

Very interesting and also incredibly useful! Thanks very much 👍🏼

dope one! thx for this and please more of this series!

Liked before watching. Loved after watching. ❤️

I haven't run into computer crashing being an issue in a long time. Back in the 90s though our setup had a real risk of crashing. Thankfully when it did it usually kept some sort of sound looping and just became unresponsive. Was always happy that at least some sort of sound was coming through, then we could try to drowned it out and get it rebooted.

Great series Loopop... amazing...

Oh shit! I love Martin!!!!!