So I have been trying to figure out my set up in terms of recording into Ableton (or Logic). And keeping things in tight clock sync. I have a mix of modular gear and mostly Elektron hardware. I don't use the DAW for anything but recording... no software synths, sequencing or anything like that.
When running audio into my DAW, I use Overbridge for the Elektron hardware that has it available and everything else runs audio through my Scarlett interface. When DAWless jamming, everything runs through my interface to monitors or phones.
As of now I have my Pam's with the midi expander running the show. If I am not using a DAW, just jamming, everything is synced beautifully.
When I want to do some multitrack recording, things get difficult. I have to add track delays in Ableton to ensure that the audio coming from my Scarlett interface is in sync with the audio from Overbridge... Not a huge issue and seems to work. But I'd love to be able to hit play on my Pams and have Ableton start recording, in sync with that button hit. Sure I can hit record, then hit play and trim everything later, but It would be so much nicer to have it just start recording on time.
I haven't even begun to figure out how best to do second takes on specific parts or instruments. Effective sync would probably help there.
I am on the verge of investing in an E-RM Multiclock, but I'm not sure if that is overkill (I'd rather not spend the money) or would even solve the issues. I've also thought of ways to get Pams to slave to my DAW (perhaps getting a DC coupled interface?), but when I have tried Pams as a slave to my Octatrack (Via a Mutant Brain) it was not always timed perfectly. And I have heard that Pams likes to run the show.
How are you doing it?
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