Hi Seb
confirming I actively use Ableton link to synchronise Liberation with my lighting software (Sound Switch).
Many thanks for all the hard work.
Oli
I use/rely on ableton live link.
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Not using ableton link yet, but I use ableton a lot and would love to be able to use it for future projects!
I would be using Live link
Thanks everyone for the replies.
I just want to check something: are there use cases where you need Ableton Link and MIDI Clock isn’t available?
In straightforward Ableton-only setups, MIDI Clock should normally be sufficient, so I’m keen to understand which workflows specifically rely on Link rather than MIDI.
Thanks!
Seb
Hey Seb,
As you know, I use Link as I use Pulse by Hybrid Constructs, and ProDJLink for TCNet. Having something listening to BPM / sending BPM data via link is invaluable.
Hope this helps…
Andy Stentiford
Technical Director | Funktioncreep Ltd.
E: andy@funktioncreep.com
T: +44 (0) 7979 102 929
W: www.funktioncreep.com
Sent on the move from my iDevice
I use Pulse as well which I believe relies on Link.
I’m using the beat/bar markers that are part of the link protocol so that the start of a clip/zone animation aligns with the bar.
Ableton link fairly essential for busking clips that look good synced not just to tempo, but phase beat alignment (beat boundary and beat-in-bar). About 75% of my laser work where music is involved will use ShowKontrol, and for the rest I use Pulse. Prior to Ableton link it require two OSC messages, one to send a numeric tempo and one to say “beat 1 is now”.
Ableton Link is an absolute essential imho 
Yes, when ive used show kontrol for syncing with DJ stuff its been using ableton link, so it would be a useful feature to keep in the future. Looking forward to seeing Liberation crew at the end of the month for the party!
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+1 for me. I usually use it from Traktor or Live as a master clock usually to drive Liberation & Novation step sequencer. Traktor and Live have a phase resync button on them. I don’t think the phase reset button on Liberation works when in Link. Not sure if link can get implemented as a master or a slave clock. The absence of a resync button suggests that it does / can.
Hi Seb,
I use it too and have a feature request regarding Ableton Link.
I hope this isn’t too off-topic…
Would it be possible to manipulate the tempo with the tempo multiplier even while Ableton Link input is active?
This would make it possible to slow down the clips accordingly during quiet parts of a track.
Until now, I’ve always helped myself by setting the tempo input back to internal.
New here but Ableton Link is my preferred way to track tempo either from Ableton or Pulse. If there was software to proxy Ableton Link to midi or something that could work for me.
I’m really curious about how abletons business model would work, licensing a feature like this. Is it a fixed fee or is it based on revenue/percentage of link-enabled subscritions sold?
Maybe adding abl link-compatibility as an upgrade to existing liberation subs or only in higher subscription packs would be a good way to have the cost of licensing accounted for?
Just wondering
Hi,
Regarding if my setup Ableton link is also required for me.
I use the ableton link to sync with virtual dj. It supports OS2L (Open Sound to Light) protocol which I don’t know if it’s of interest as a replacement?
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My $0.02 from using liberation at a party where we had CDJs:
It would be really awesome if there were a node that does proper beat detection which i can add to an effect network. The current audio reactive node is quite limited in capability, and in general it would be much easier if i could just drop in a node which handles beat detection on various kinds of instrument bands and use that as a trigger.
That way DJs can swap out decks all they want, and * magic * we can have lasers with vinyl 
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Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts everyone, it has been really helpful to hear how you are all using Ableton Link in practice. I honestly did not realise quite how widely it is relied on across different workflows, so thank you for taking the time to explain your setups.
Just a couple of clarifications
- The latest versions of Pulse can generate a MIDI Clock.
- Beat and bar synchronisation is also possible using MIDI Clock via the Song Position Pointer (SPP). I use this myself in Ableton and Logic to get solid beat and bar alignment, although I am not entirely sure which DJ applications support it.
I am currently in touch with Ableton to better understand the licensing process for Link, and I will keep everyone posted once I know more. Fingers crossed it turns out to be a straightforward process.
Thanks again, this feedback has genuinely been very useful.
Seb
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@David_Leonardi check out GitHub - Deep-Symmetry/beat-link-trigger: Trigger events and automate shows in response to events on Pioneer CDJs that’s what I use to sync BPM and other things with CDJs