The Ultimate 5 Step

Playback Set Up For Ableton Live

Hello - James here from multitrackmadness.com and thank you

so much for downloading this checklist. You’re just about to go
on a super exciting journey, to create your own custom
multitrack playback system using Ableton Live. Here are the 5
key components that you will need to create you own flexible
rig, that will change the way you run backing tracks for ever. If
you need any help with designing your live set… I’m always here
to help. Just contact me via the website.

Good Luck - James

Macbook Pro With A SSD

It goes with out saying a good quality computer is key to running your own Ableton Live
Playback System. The most important thing you need to consider is the hard drive. Don’t
worry so much about RAM & processor speed. I recommend you get a solid state drive or
flash drive. My main mac is 2011 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 with 256gb Crucial SSD. I’ve also
had great results from a 11” Macbook Air with flash drive storage.

A Multitrack Madness setup relies on being able to access audio files from the hard drive
quickly and doesn’t need so much processing power to run plug ins. So get the fastest
hard drive you can.

Ableton Live 9 Suite

Having started my multitrack playback journey using Apple Mainstage, I switched to
Ableton nearly 3 years and haven’t looked back. It was a big learning curve but worth
the time because I ended with the most flexible, rock solid and responsive playback
system on the planet.

www.multitrackmadness.com jameseager.com
 Follow by Isotonik Studios
Follow By Isotonik Studio is the Multitrack Madness’ secret weapon and allow us to
trigger scenes and put loop/ cycle sections in on the fly. It’s a plug which uses the Max
For Live Software included in the Ableton Live Suite. You can also purchase it as an
upgrade to Ableton Live Standard.

Motu 828 Mk Two

It’s no good having amazing control of your backing tracking if they don’t sound any
good! The best way to get them to sound ‘musical’ is to mix them as if they were just
another instrument in the band. This done by giving multiple outputs to your front of
house engineer. We choose to run with 8 outputs. 7 feeds to out front and one to run the
click track / audio cues. We have used a Motu 828 for years and it’s been exceptionally
reliable.

Looptimus Midi Foot Controller

You need to be able to control your backing tracking on the fly. If you are playing an
instrument often it’s often difficult free up your hands. Hence a foot controller is the
perfect solution. There are many Midi Controllers out there - my personal favourite is
Looptimus. It’s small and perfectly designed for the job plus it powers from a USB
socket. Previously, I used a Behringer FCB1010 that also worked well.

To supercharge your Multitrack Madness set up here

are some other related links you may find useful.

Pre-made Tracks:
Paris Music - A great source of very high quality studio
backing tracks - highly recommended.
Karaoke Version - A good cost effective solution for
off the shelf multitrack.
Loop Community - An amazing source of backing
tracks for worship bands.

Equipment

Quiklok Laptop Stand - A rock solid laptop stand for live stage use - as seen in the
pictures in this checklist.
Aviom In Ear Monitoring - A fantastic personal monitoring system so that everyone can
get amazing monitoring, hear the click track, and receive audio cues from the band
leader. (See blue mixer below laptop
Radial DM1 Mic Switcher - A handy foot switch to turn on/off the musical directors talk
back mic to give audio cues through the in-ear monitoring system.

www.multitrackmadness.com jameseager.com