[jdbunda]

Interesting thread. I just bought a M-Audio Profire 610, which comes with Ableton Live 7. I've been trying to figure out how to use the thing to record basically guitar-driven demos. I've been a computer professional for many years, and I am no stranger to learning new systems. I started recording with Sonoma Riffworks (which I got into from Pod/Guitarport). I found Riffworks very easy to understand and get started with - however, Live is a lot more difficult. I get that the more powerful system will have some learning curves - what I have trouble with is the number of hours it has taken me so far to just understand what more I need just to get started.

For example, Riffworks comes with a built-in drum machine. After much fooling around and plowing through the lessons and docs, I figure out that sure, I can build beats using the midi tools, but what - no built-in drum loops, just to show me how to go about it!?!? I did find some free stuff to download on the Ableton site, but I was hoping to have some sort of built-in drum machine like Riffworks, at least a few loops like any $100 keyboard. I suspect I'll end up buying some package of beats, but it sure would have been nice to have even a rudimentary loop or two to play with, and not leave me flailing around trying to find it in the system.

I am also having some trouble figuring out how Live deals with time. As Soultrader says, the interface seems awesome to do live things like he does. It's a different story though if I want to, say, set up a 12-bar blues verse with drums and bass. I'm sure it's possible, I'm just still not sure how to do it. It's not clear to me how to define the timeline - i.e. how do I specify 12 bars of this followed by 8 bars of this, etc.

I am still getting tripped up by which key to press to play my session, `what the different views really mean, the terminology, and no clue about how to do what I want to do.

I read the "getting started" post on this forum about having patience with the ramp-up with a powerful package, but honestly, I am debating about either stepping up to Pro Tools M-Powered (which is only $250 or so), buying Cubase, or should I stick with Live? I could also go back to Riffworks (which can be upgraded to talk to my Profire) but I am already seeing limitations of that package, I think I want something more. I guess I am a little disappointed that Live isn't a little more friendly and usable right out of the box, and none of the lessons seem to demonstrate a work process that is actually like what I do. This is where I sure wish I had that friend who could get me up to speed quickly!