Ableton Live: Building Effects with Return Tracks

askaudiomag.com by Noah Pred February 13, 2015

Return tracks can serve multiple purposes. CPU efficient use of effects, effects for multiple tracks, and more.
GW Childs shows how to use return tracks for building effects chains in Ableton Live.

Out of all the DAWs Ive worked with, Id have to say that I like the Return/Send tracks in Ableton Live better
than any other. They are flexible, and provide excellent flexibility in routing. In this tutorial, Id like to show
you some fun ways to use the Send/Return tracks in Live. While Im at it, I'll explain how they may help you
reclaim some lost CPU, by spreading your plug-ins coverage across the mix, instead of individually tying up
tracks.

Step 1. Set Up A Return

The beauty of a Return track is that you can insert a more CPU intensive plug-in and then spread the effect
over to multiple tracks within your session, as opposed to instantiating the same effects multiple times, on to
multiple instrument and audio tracks, and absolutely killing your CPU. You know, where you get hiccuping in
your audio, and the computer becomes unresponsive every time you get to a certain part of your song? Lets
set up a return track, now. Ill push the small R button, on the right of Abletons Session page, and instantly,
the default Return tracks, A and B appear.

Like all Ableton track types, Return Tracks can hold several effects. You just drag an effect on to the Return
track, and the device will be instantiated and activated, although you wont see it until you click on the
Return track and look down towards the bottom of the page.

Step 2. Build up a Track? No, build up a Rack!

Now, on A, Ill drop an Audio Effect Rack, a device within Ableton that should not be underestimated! Sure,
we could just throw a bunch of effects on a Return track, and call it a day. But with an Effects Rack we get a
few more options. First, we can route multiple effects parameters to single knobs. Secondly, we get a way to
contain and save complicated effects chains, with complicated routing.

Currently, in my session, I am getting pretty close to 60% of my processing power, using my CPU. Effects,
and instruments are generally the reason for this. Real-time processing through effects puts a strain on a
processor, especially reverbs and the delays.

In an effort to get back some processing, Ill take a look through my inserts and see if I find an effect that is
being used multiple times in my session. As I continue to go through each track, I notice that Im seeing
several Simple Delay modules appearing on different tracks, within my session. As this is the case, I could
locate one of the delays that is important in my session, and drag it over to the Return track I just set up...

Or, I could simply load up a more formidable delay! Sure, Simple Delay sounds pretty good. But, if Im going
to set up a delay that I can use on multiple tracks, why not go with a really good one! I decide to drop in a
Rob Papen Predator FX, into my Effects Rack. The German sound designer makes very robust synths, and
effects. So robust, I normally will just use Predator for a synth, and cheaper delays, to keep my project
running smooth, if Im only running inserts.

But, since were building up a return, lets get fancy. I just need to make sure I eliminate the other delays,
before I run the session again, so I reclaim some of that processing power.

Step 3. Build an Effect

Now, we need to set up Predator FX, and get our send tracks, running. First, by pressing the S button on the
side of Lives Session screen, Ill expose the Send pots, so that I can get something going to my return track.

Then, Ill raise the first Send on all of my synth tracks that I want delay on, going to Send A, where my
Predator FX device is located, within my Effects Rack.

So, now all we need to do is set up an effect on the Predator! Ill go ahead and choose a preset on Predator FX
that has delay in the title.

Then, Ill press the Show/Hide Macro Controls on the Effects Rack. This exposes the multiple macro knobs
on the Effects Rack that you can assign parameters coming from within your Effects rack plug-ins, like
Predator FX.

Within the Effect Rack Macro screen, Ill press the Map button, at the top. Now, I can just tap a knob, or
button, within any instrument GUI, within the Effects Rack, and it will appear in the Effects Rack as an
assignable option. Ill tap the Mix knob, on the Predator FX. Now, its an assignable parameter in the Effects
Rack.

Next, with my new Mapping selected in the Effects Rack, Ill press the Map button underneath Macro 1. As
soon as I do this, the FX 1 title appears on the Macro knob.

As effects assignments can get very confusing, very fast, Ill label Macro Knob 1 as Delay Mix. To do this, Ill
simply select it, and press Command-R. Then, all I have to do is type! Also, make sure you raise the Macro
knob so that it corresponds with the setting that audibly works for you!

Step 4. Multi-FX

Now, I have an active Return, plus an active Effects rack, that still has plenty of Macros left. This time, Ill
drop an Ableton Amp device on to the Effects Rack, within Return A. After tightening up the settings to a
distortion that works for me, Ill go ahead and map the Dry/Wet knob to Macro 2, and label it as Dist Mix.
This gives me the ability to raise a knob and add in either distortion, or delay. But, both effects are both
coming from one single instance, and I can spread them over any track in the mix!

But, it even gets better. Because both mappings and effects are loaded into an Effect Rack, I can even save
this rack, and use it again on another Ableton Session! The mappings will still be in place, Ill have multiple
effects inside. Finally, Ill have great effects, inside one little rack, that I can spread around the mix, while
saving some valuable CPU resources, as these hearty plug-ins, Papen and Amp, are only in my session once...
but, effecting many tracks. Just make sure you drop the saved preset on a Return track, when you want to use
it in a session!

Conclusion

Return tracks are not only a great way to save CPU, but they are also a great way to create an atmosphere.
When multiple tracks are effected by the same effects going across, it builds an illusion that the whole band
is in the same room. Like real bands are. And, because we have absolute control over our effects, within the
effects rack, we can continually build that room, over time, with automation and simple settings, and give our
audiences something cool to hear, and give ourselves some peace of mind, knowing that our CPU isnt about
to break 100% with multiple inserts, all over the place!