Ableton--percussion frequency problems.

laura woodswalker

Hi! I have been having this problem with Ableton drum sounds.

I have been learning Ableton MIDI and the Novation SLMK 25. When I load a drum rack, the cymbals sound like crap. Same with things like Shakers. I have been told to "add reverb" and "drop and EQ module in." But this doesn't help when the original sample (an Ableton instrument) has almost no sound.

The problem is not just with MIDI. I tried recording a drum track from my Electribe onto an Audio track. Same problem: shakers and cymbals do not come thru.

I am starting to suspect my soundcard. I thought when I ditched my crappy Lexicon interface & replaced it with a Tascam 144MK, I would be able to record things with high-frequency percussion.

Any ideas?

laura woodswalker

Oh, and another layer to this problem: I found an old Ableton session I did which contains a clip of this same Electribe drum pattern. The shakers sound FINE! So it can't be my sound card....

RFBB · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:38 pm Post subject:

So when you are working with this Drum rack, you can't hear the samples or are they over driven? Elaborate on what "sounds like crap" means?

laura woodswalker · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:57 pm Post subject:

RFBB · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:14 pm Post subject:

You can always use your send-returns for that Auto Filter. That way you can play with it per track rather than that specific effect on your Master channel. Another option is Side Chaining.

Yes, your other option to use the ESX will work, but can perhaps limit you on your cymbal and shaker options. I'd encourage you to tough it out and explore your options in Abe.