An overview of working with Sessionwire Studio alongside Ableton Live
There are many use cases and workflows for each DAW when integrating Sessionwire for remote collaboration. We have created templates for each DAW to give an idea of what routing should look like in order to avoid feedback loops between users connected in Sessionwire Studio.
It is recommended that all recording be done on the performing side of the Sessionwire call - meaning one side needs to have Ableton Live open to record in, while the other simply monitors the performance through Sessionwire. This also means that both sides of the Sessionwire call should be set up using the below Sending Audio from Ableton Live settings - barring any complicated hardware routing or lack of a webcam with a microphone.
Below are common setups when using Sessionwire alongside Ableton Live.
Sending Audio from Ableton Live
(To send audio to a peer and listen to their remote audio)
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This workflow is the simplest way to get up and running with Live alongside Sessionwire. Simply placing the Sessionwire Send plugin on the Master channel of a Live project will produce the same results as in the downloadable template.
The Talkback Input is set to a webcam (or an audio interface with a microphone plugged into channel 1 or 2) and the Talkback Output is set to the system audio output device - this is identical to how any video conferencing software would be set up.
The HQ Audio Input is set to the Sessionwire Plugin - Sessionwire will receive audio from the Send plugin on the Master channel of the Live project. The HQ Audio Output is set to the system audio output device - this way any audio streamed from the remote end of the call is sent straight out of the output device. No need to route incoming audio into Live.
Sending and Receiving Audio within Ableton Live
(To send audio to a peer and receive remote HQ audio in Live)
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This workflow will allow the sending of audio from a Live project while simultaneously receiving remote HQ audio directly into a Live project.
The Talkback Input is set to a webcam (or an audio interface with a microphone plugged into channel 1 or 2) and the Talkback Output is set to the system audio output device - this is identical to how any video conferencing software would be set up.
The HQ Audio Input is set to the Sessionwire Plugin - Sessionwire will receive audio from the Send plugin on the Master channel. The HQ Audio Output is set to the Sessionwire Receive plugin which is inserted on a Return track in the Live project, the output of which is set to External Out 1/2 - not the project's master track. This will make the possibility of a feedback loop or delays between local and remote sessions a non-issue.
To record HQ audio from the remote connection, simply use Ableton's built in routing to select the SW HQ Rcv return track as the input of the destination track.
Using an Audio Interface for All Audio
(Users with advanced hardware setups)
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In this workflow, it is assumed that an audio interface is being used as the input and output device of Live. A talkback mic is plugged into any channel of an audio interface and the input of the SW TB Send channel is set to the corresponding channel (circled in image above).
Local talkback is routed through the Sessionwire Talkback Send plugin to Sessionwire's Talkback Audio Input. Remote talkback audio is returned via the Sessionwire Talkback Receive plugin and routed out external 1/2, avoiding the Master channel.
All high quality (working) audio in the Live project is routed to the Master channel which has the Sessionwire Send plugin instantiated, sending high quality audio to Sessionwire's HQ Audio Input. High quality audio being sent by the remote end is routed into Live via the Sessionwire Receive plugin, and sent out External Out 1/2, avoiding the Master channel with the Send plugin.
To record HQ audio from the remote connection, simply use Ableton's built in routing to select the SW HQ Rcv return track as the input of the destination track.