Use a MIDI track to run program changes for any of your MIDI-enabled hardware. Run program changes for hardware: You don't actually have to run your audio signal through Ableton to take advantage of its digital prowess. Pack each one with effects for a specific song and you can load a completely new rig (well, almost) with the press of a button. Use Scenes for complete rig changes: If you're familiar with Ableton, then you already understand just how useful Scenes can be. It takes some serious know-how, but the results can be incredibly cool. If you want to go crazy, draw envelope automations for VST effects or instruments-just like you do when mixing a record-and apply them to your live signal. I'm not just talking about turning a delay on or off either. Real-time automation during a gig: Sync Ableton up with your tracks DAW and all your post effects can be fully automated. You'll need an audio interface, but the effect, VST, and routing combinations are infinite-not to mention the possibilities with hardware controllers like the Novation Launchpad. Ableton Live and VSTsįor starters, let's imagine Ableton Live at the tail-end of a signal chain, which is how Depeche Mode recreate its sui generis drum sounds for live performances. Regardless, the FX Return is a feature that every POD owner should play around with. There are a few creative limitations (like where the FX loop lies in the signal chain, and the fact that it can only be initiated for one tone at a time), so depending upon your setup, delays and mods might not be a suitable fit. Not only does this arrangement give me tons of versatility it adds Master/Slave control for MIDI-enabled stompboxes. To deal with that, I simply patch my analog board in and rarely ever use the POD's onboard effects. Overdrive is an effect that, in my mind, tends to suffer most from digital modeling. My all-time favorite feature, though, is the FX return. The POD: A portable, well-built, effect-filled piece of gear I've grown to love over the last eight years. Photo credit: fede17_dream Line 6 POD FX Return

Guitar rig 5 vst no midi control