Use the eSimpler plug-in to turn Ableton’s Simpler into a video sampler. Or use it without a Simpler as a very light video sampler to keep your Live set undemanding and quick to load.
Adding an eSimpler plug-in to your Live set
To add an eSimpler plug-in to your Live Set, just drag the plug-in from the EboSuite plug-in folder to a MIDI track. An eSimpler plug-in can only be used on a MIDI track.
Using the eSimpler in combination with the Simpler
When the eSimpler is placed in front of a Simpler on a MIDI track, the eSimpler will automatically check if a movie file is loaded in the Simpler. When a movie is loaded the eSimpler will automatically load the movie file and set the playback position correctly. When a MIDI note is received, the eSimpler will playback the video, while the Simpler plays the audio, effectively turning the Simpler into a video sampler.
Vel to Opacity
When ‘Velocity to opacity’ is enabled, the opacity of the video will change simultaneously with the velocity of the incoming MIDI note (and therefore the sound).
1-Shot
The eSimpler will notice when the Simpler is set to 1-Shot mode. The eSimpler will automatically switch to 1-Shot as well and use the same duration time as selected in the Simpler.
Warping
The eSimpler will notice when Warping is enabled in the Simpler. The eSimpler will automatically read the Warp Markers of the file (in the .asd file) and Warp the video.
Because the eSimpler relies on the default information stored in the .asd file you can not use the :2, *2 and ‘warp as’ buttons. This limitation is due to the restrained access Ableton gives to the Simpler’s parameters.
Looping
The eSimpler will notice when Looping is enabled in the Simpler. The eSimpler will automatically read the Loop settings and loop the video according to the settings in the Simpler.
Slicing
When the Simpler is set to slicing mode, the eSimpler will follow automatically.
Freeze
Use the Freeze dial to freeze the last or first frame of the sample when playback is finished. The last frame will freeze when the dial is set to a positive value (freeze 0 to 1000 ms). When the dial is set to the maximum positive value the last frame will freeze indefinitely. The first frame will freeze when the dial is set to a negative value (freeze 0 to 1 second). When the dial is set to the maximum negative value the first frame will freeze indefinitely.
Using another movie file in the eSimpler
It is also possible to load a different movie file into the eSimpler. In this case the eSimpler will not automatically set the start position. The start position should be set manually using the ‘Start’ dial.
Using the eSimpler without a Simpler
The eSimpler will also work without a Simpler next to it. This way you can use the eSimpler as a very light video sampler (without audio output) to keep your Live set undemanding and quick to load.
Recording
The eSimpler (and the eSampler) has the ability to record video live. When a recording is made, the video is automatically loaded into the eSimpler and ready for use immediately. A great feature to make a live performance a real live experience.
To record video with the eSimpler, at least one eVideoIn plug-in needs to be present anywhere in the Live Set.
Note: do not add the eVideoIn plug-in on the same track as the eSampler. The eVideoIn is a video source as well, so that might cause issues.
Recording – set ID
An ID is automatically assigned to the eVideoIn plug-in. This ID is used to connect an eSimpler to the eVideoIn plug-in. This way, multiple eVideoIn plug-ins can be present in the Live Set (connected to different cameras), connected to different eSimplers (and eSamplers).
On the eSimpler set the ID to the ID of the eVideoIn you want to record from. Press the button next to the ID number box to set the ID to the ID of the eVideoIn plug-in added to the Live Set last.
The ID on the eSimpler can be changed live with automation or a controller, so an eSimpler can record video from any eVideoIn plug-in at any point in time. The ID of the eVideoIn plug-in is taken from the position of the track in the Live Set. When the track is moved to another position in the Live Set the ID changes. The ID on the eSimpler will automatically change as well in that case.
Recording – record folder
Drop a folder in the ‘Drop Record Folder’ drop zone in the eVideoIn plug-in’s interface to select a folder where all recording of that plug-in will be stored. If no folder is selected, recordings will be stored in the recordings folder in the EboSuite plug-in folder.
Note: The eVideoIn plug-in creates a ‘tempRecordingFile.aiff’ file in this folder automatically. This file is necessary to make recordings instantly, so please don’t remove this file.
Recording – Manual / Automatic
When the Manual/Automatic switch is set to Manual, recording is started and stopped pressing the record button manually or activating it with track automation or a controller.
When the Manual/Automation switch is set to Automatic, recording is started and stopped with the record button on the eVideoIn plug-in the eSimpler is linked to (with the ID). This way, multiple eSimplers (and eSamplers) can receive a video recorded with the same eVideoIn plug-in.
Recording – autoload in simpler
When ‘Autoload in Simpler’ is activated, the eSimpler will send the recorded video to the Simpler immediately after recording (if a Simpler is present). This makes it possible to do live sampling with Live’s Simpler!
Note: this is an ‘experimental feature’ that is not fully supported by Ableton Live. We had to come up with some creative solutions to make this work. We tested it in many user scenarios, but can not guarantee it will work in any case.
