inevitable stodgy “its not about the gear” post, but i guess it comes down to what like, techniques/conceptual framing/metaphors do you want for engaging with live performance of yr compositions. The cool thing is all of these techniques can be tried out in Ableton with nothing else, or maybe a MIDI controller or two while you suss it.
like, the “dub style” stem everything out and process it has been mentioned a lot, but others:
yr a conductor and the tracks are your orchestra. Can you mix things, cue certain parts, etc etc and finesse it during? Maybe this is what the music needs and the pressure to like, do the the ‘emotional knob twist’ can be ignored.
the sampler/laptop/synth/etc is an instrument. 1 to 1 interface engagement to sound production. more sparse, but more direct?
you are the ‘soloist’ and the tracks are you backing band. set up some tracks and JAM OUT over em?
you are a 2010’s style looper/trickster/magician. find ways to atomize the tracks, then build piece by piece in real time as part of the performance?
tons of other metaphors/frames im missing, etc etc
