ClipBouncer - Automated Track Bouncing for Ableton Live

Streamline your production workflow with intelligent, automated audio bouncing.

ClipBouncer is a Max for Live device that transforms the tedious process of bouncing audio tracks into a single-click operation. What normally takes 5-10 manual steps and eats up 30+ minutes per session now happens instantly with perfect timing and phase alignment.

What It Does

ClipBouncer automates the complete bounce workflow:

• Captures clip length, mixer values (volume, pan, sends), and timing information
• Creates or targets your destination audio track automatically
• Routes audio post-FX from source to destination
• Records with precise beat-aligned timing or global quantization
• Preserves all mixer automation on the new track
• Prevents phase cancellation by auto-muting the original clip
• Manages scene creation and clip copying to maintain session context

Key Features

✓ Phase-Perfect Timing - Sync to clip beginning for perfect alignment, or snap to global quantization
✓ Mixer Value Transfer - Volume, pan, and send levels automatically initialize on target tracks
✓ Flexible Recording Modes - Fixed length (matches source) or Free (record until you stop)
✓ Smart Scene Management - Auto-creates scenes and copies playing clips while respecting exclusions
✓ Universal Compatibility - Works with any tempo, time signature, or clip length (even 3.5 beats or 1.75 bars)
✓ Intelligent Clip Naming - Automatically formats names with duration and time signature metadata

Perfect for producers who bounce multiple tracks per session and want to eliminate repetitive routing, recording, and setup work.

ClipBouncer for Ableton Live

Professional Audio Track Bouncing Made Effortless

What takes 5-10 manual steps happens in one click Save 30+ minutes per session of repetitive work

ClipBouncer automates the entire multi-step bounce workflow:

• Capture clip info & mixer values
• Create/select destination track
• Route audio with post-FX preservation
• Sync recording to precise timing points
• Manage scenes automatically
• Prevent phase cancellation

Perfect for producers bouncing multiple tracks per session. Works with any tempo, time signature, or clip length.

Key Features

✓ Preserves Mixer Values Automatically

• Volume, Pan, Send Levels
• Transfers to target track
• Automation lanes initialize instantly

✓ Phase-Perfect Alignment Options

• Sync to clip's beginning for perfect phase alignment
• Or snap to global quantization grid
• Respects loop start, start marker, playback position

✓ Prevents Accidental Phase Cancellation

• Automatically mutes original clip
• Eliminates phasing artifacts
• One less thing to remember

✓ Scene Management Built-In

• Automatically creates new scenes
• Copies playing clips to preserve context
• Skip tracks with [dontCopy] tag
• Never copies source/destination tracks

✓ Works with Non-Standard Clip Lengths

• 3.5 beats? 1.75 bars? No problem.
• Auto-adjusts quantization
• Always finds proper sync points

✓ Supports Flexible & Fixed Recording Modes

• REC FIXED: Records exact source length
• REC FREE: Record until you stop
• Choose based on your workflow

Core Concept

The Get/Route Button: Three Functions in One Click

1. GET: Captures clip length, mixer values (volume, pan, sends), track name, and time signature 2. ROUTE:Creates/targets track, sets audio routing (post-FX), and applies mixer values 3. RECORD: Initiates synchronized recording and writes automation envelopes

Target Track Setup

Enter track names in the four text fields on the left. Only one track can be selected at a time:

• No selection or unrecognized track → Creates new audio track
• Selected target track → Routes to that existing track

Start Modes

START W/ (CLIP'S BEGINNING)

Recording waits for original clip to return to start point. Perfect phase alignment. Accounts for loop start, start marker, and playback position.

START W/ (GLOBALLY QUANTIZED)

Recording begins at next quantization boundary (1 Bar, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, etc). Independent of clip position. Best for quick bounces or non-looping material.

AUTO START (ON)

• Waits for sync point
• Records for exactly one clip duration
• Stops automatically and writes automation

AUTO START (OFF)

• Unlocks record buttons
• Arms track and routes audio
• Waits for user to start recording

REC FIXED

Records for exactly the source clip length, respects Sync Mode

REC FREE

Records until you press again, ignores clip sync, allows flexible lengths

Advanced Features

Mixer Automation

Transfers from source to destination track: - Volume (exact dB value) - Pan (L/R position) - Send Levels (all returns)

Automation lanes initialize with source values

Intelligent Clip Naming

Format: [Source Track Name] [Duration] [Time Signature]

Examples: - "Drums 4 Bars (4/4)" - "Vocals 2 Bars 1/2 Beat (4/4)" - "Piano 3 Bars (7/8)"

Bounced clips automatically receive matching time signature metadata

Scene Management

Similar to Capture_Insert_Scene. ClipBouncer automatically creates new scenes when targeting tracks with existing clips.

Capture Behavior: - Tracks ending with [dontCopy] are skipped - Clips on source/destination tracks are never copied - All other playing clips are copied to new scene AFTER recording finishes - Example: "Drums [dontCopy]" will never be duplicated

Quantization Auto-Adjustment

Clips with unusual lengths (3.5 beats, 1.75 bars) trigger automatic quantization adjustment to ensure proper sync points

Original Clip Muting

Automatically mutes original clip after bounce to prevent phase cancellation

Pop Out Window

Press to open floating presentation window with main controls. Stays on top while working elsewhere in Live.

Tips & Best Practices

• Map Get/Route to MIDI controller for one-button bouncing
• Auto Start ON for rhythmic material, OFF for effects/improvisation
• Use [dontCopy] on any track to keep them independent
• Pre-create target tracks for repeatable workflows

Requirements

• Ableton Live 11 or 12
• Max for Live

Developer: Mike Fodor (mtfo) Version: 1.0 Last Updated: January 2026