Dubstepforum.com

So in Ableton I have a few return channels. If for example I route all my channels to the return channel that has a low pass filter on it, how do I then ensure that no output comes from the main channel?

For example here's a channel, I'm sending 100% to the return channel, but the output from the main channel still comes through



If I set the output of the channel to "Sends Only" then when I'm not sending the channel to the return it's not audible. I want to automate the send know (knob C).

Any advice?

Make it a post fader send I guess? Not a clue how you would do that in Live though.

GV1 wrote:... how do I then ensure that no output comes from the main channel?

click on I/O on the right side and set your channel output to sends only -> your send knob more or less functions as a volume fader

GV1 wrote: If I set the output of the channel to "Sends Only" then when I'm not sending the channel to the return it's not audible. I want to automate the send know (knob C).

Any advice?

didn't you ask for that how to not get a dry signal from the channel? ;D I don't exactly understand what you want. Maybe try to rephrase your question ?!
If you just want to automate the send knob right click on it and create automation, if you want to automate sth. from the filter (ie frequency) just automate it in the send channel

Sorry, I see how the question could be confusing.

I want the dry or wet signal, not both. I want to be able to automate from dry to wet, or in between. Currently if you set output to sends you get wet only. If you leave it as default you get both.

Create the send and set it to pre-fade as mentioned by another user... then automate the two channels to react inversely to each other? (i.e. make the volume of the clean track go down as much as the wet channel comes up by)

y this would be the only possibilty I come up with too. it's alot easier if you just set up a rack with two filters in parallel and modulate the volume of both. you can macro the volume to one knob and inverse one of the volume faders. ( so you just have one automation instead of two )

Dub Fiend wrote:Create the send and set it to pre-fade as mentioned by another user... then automate the two channels to react inversely to each other? (i.e. make the volume of the clean track go down as much as the wet channel comes up by)

Uh yeah pre. I confused the two earlier.

use an insert.

Sharmaji wrote:use an insert.

Or that.

Hey Sharma Long time no see!

You could also not use a return channel at all, if you're trying to do what I think you're doing. You can add a wet/dry control to any audio effect with Live with groups and macros.

Drag in the filter, or whatever effect you want to and put it in a group. Name the chain 'wet'.

Then create another chain, leave it empty and name it 'dry'.

Then right click the volume fader on the 'wet' chain and click 'Map to Macro 1'

Do the same for the 'dry' chain.

Click the 'map' button and right click the macro for the 'dry' control and select 'invert range'

Then you should now have a macro that controls the wet/dry mix of any audio effect you want.



Even if for this case you think it's still better to use a return channel this trick can be useful for other situations.

Also, this is very useful. Along the same lines, maybe not quite what the OP wants.

yeah i think you're waaaaaaay over-complicating this. using a bit of automation or a dry/wet rack would be much easier, but why are you even sending something to just a lowpass anyway? i bet there's an easier way to do what you're trying to do.

Actually, why would you want to send to a filter return? Or even have a dry/wet on a filter? Wouldn't everything just double up and start sounding phasey and gash?

Anyway, all you actually have to do is automate the volume of the return track.