Drifting in Playback

Support
1

Hi all,

I’m running a playback setup with two computers connected through a network switch. My Mac 1 is the main audio playback computer, and a second laptop on stage serves as the keys laptop. Both machines have the same Ableton file structure, and AbleNet is enabled so playback runs on both computers at the same time.Playback needs to run on the keys laptop as well, because the keys player triggers MIDI switches during the tracks.

The two laptops drift out of sync sometimes, drift correction is enabled in AbleNet. Both are connected through a network switch, and I’m using AbleSet as the setlist manager. Each computer’s audio interface and Ableton are set to the same sample rate. Occasionally the click track also drifts out of tempo.

Any idea how this can happen?

Please fill out these values to make it easier to troubleshoot:

  • Version of AbleSet: (3.1.5)
  • Version of Ableton Live: (12.4.3)
2

Hey @Arendsman1,

The click drifting out of tempo might point to Automatic Drift Correction itself.

When it’s enabled, AbleSet uses Live’s Phase Nudge buttons to slightly speed up or slow down playback until the computers line up. Only warped audio clips can follow those small tempo changes. Unwarped clips keep playing at normal speed, so they end up out of sync with Live’s metronome and with everything that did follow the nudge.

Could you please check:

  1. Enable Drift Correction on one computer only. If it’s on for both, your main Mac also nudges its playback to match the keys laptop. I’d turn it off on Mac 1 and leave it on only on the keys laptop, so that one follows the main machine. You’ll find the toggle in AbleSet’s Settings, in the AbleNet section of each computer.
  2. Warp all audio clips in the project on both machines. The Texture and Beats warp modes are good choices since they don’t alter the audio while playing at normal speed.
  3. Test with Drift Correction turned off entirely.

Also, make sure all navigation happens through AbleSet. Jumping or moving the playhead directly in Live on one of the computers can put the two out of sync.

You can also see this in action in the official tutorial.

If it still happens after that, could you let me know:

  • Is Drift Correction currently enabled on both computers?
  • Is your click an audio or MIDI clip, and are your audio clips warped?
  • Does the drift show up right after starting playback or jumping, or does it build up gradually over the course of a song?

I’m looking forward to your reply!