| name | Ableton FX Chain |
| description | This skill should be used when the user asks to "add effects", "build an FX chain", "lofi-ize / dub-ize this track", "process this track", "make it sound vintage/wide/gritty", or wants a tailored device chain inserted (and dialed) on a track in Ableton Live. Inserts an ordered effect chain with fallbacks and sets the key parameters. |
| version | 0.1.0 |
Ableton FX Chain
Build a tailored audio-effect chain on a track and dial in its key knobs — not just insert defaults.
Genre character lives largely in the FX: lofi = saturation + bit/down-sample + low-pass + chorus
wobble; dub = delay/echo + spring reverb; etc.
When to use
Triggers: "add effects", "lofi-ize / dub-ize", "process this track", "make it gritty/wide/warm".
For designing an instrument's core tone use ableton-tone-recipes; for levels use ableton-quick-mix.
Process
- Use
ableton-live-runner for build/run/kill + scaffold + setParam.
- Insert the chain in order with
makeTrack's fxSlots (each slot a fallback list → one device
per slot). Order matters (e.g. EQ → comp → saturate → modulation → delay → reverb). End optional
slots gracefully (a missing device is skipped).
- Dial the key params with
setParam (discover names at runtime; see ableton-tone-recipes):
filter cutoff, dry/wet, drive, feedback.
- Verify by reading values back, and keep wet effects (reverb/delay) modest unless going dub.
Device names
Use the canonical confirmed/failed list in ableton-live-runner/references/gotchas.md (single
source of truth — do not fork it). Common confirmed audio FX: EQ Eight, Compressor, Saturator,
Overdrive, Redux, Vinyl Distortion, Auto Filter, Chorus-Ensemble, Reverb, Delay, Echo,
Amp, Cabinet. (Auto Pan did not insert.) For any device not on the confirmed list (e.g.
Glue Compressor), pass a fallback slot like ["Glue Compressor", "Compressor"] so the chain still
builds if it is unavailable.
Genre chain presets
| Goal | Chain (left → right) |
|---|
| Lofi-ize | Saturator → Redux/Vinyl Distortion → Auto Filter (LP) → Chorus-Ensemble → Reverb |
| Dub-ize | EQ Eight → Echo/Delay (high feedback) → Reverb (long) |
| Clean guitar tone | Overdrive(light) → Amp → Cabinet → Chorus-Ensemble → Reverb |
| Glue a bus | Compressor (or Glue Compressor w/ fallback) → EQ Eight → Saturator(gentle) |
| Warm sub bass | Auto Filter(LP) → Compressor → Saturator |
Code pattern
const LOFI = [["Saturator"], ["Vinyl Distortion", "Redux"], ["Auto Filter"], ["Chorus-Ensemble"], ["Reverb"]];
const track = await makeTrack(song, "Keys", ["Electric", "Drift"], LOFI, notes, len);
await setParam(track, "Auto Filter", "Frequency", 3000);
await setParam(track, "Reverb", "Dry/Wet", 0.18);
Limits
- Param names/scales (
"Frequency", "Dry/Wet", 0–1 vs Hz) differ per device/edition — discover them
at runtime (ableton-tone-recipes) before setParam; the values in the code are illustrative.
- Effects need an instrument before them to process; on an empty Drum Rack they process nothing until
a kit is dropped.
- No automation lanes — character must be a static setting (or implied by note dynamics).
See ableton-tone-recipes, ableton-quick-mix.
