The
Playback Template
With total flexibility and turnkey operation, proven with thousands of shows, this is the only template you'll need to run tracks as a pro.
Operate with efficiency and confidence
What can the Playback Template do?
(Note, some features are only available in the Ultimate version of the Playback Template. Please refer to the comparison table to see what is included in each of the three versions.)
Run tracks inside a complete & efficient system
Using the Ableton Live session that EC begins every client's show with, you'll be able to take off with a robust playback workflow that has been proven on thousands of shows around the globe.
Deploy many different voices for slates (cues) and stage direction
The Slate Tracks allow you to use any sound to lead a virtual count-in for a given section of a song. You can customize what interval and position you want the count-in to play at by simply programming each cue as a MIDI note. Never miss a bridge again!
Summed bus printing of all stems
Available in the Ultimate version only
The Template is pre-configured for the routing of tracks for summed bus printing of all stems.
Easily navigate between 13 different click track sounds
The Click Track is where you can change the metronome sounds to any sound you'd like and manage your grid with a visual representation of each click across your timeline. The clicks are also pre-leveled!
Import clips in a snap with the Clip Drop Group
Stay organized by having a dedicated track group for dragging and dropping clips. Just drag all of your stems into the Clip Drop Group and sort them into the correct playback tracks from there within Live!
Trust us, organizing stems within your session is more efficient than individually dragging and dropping each and every one.
Make it easy to create mix files, timecode reference tracks, and more
Video/Lighting departments, band members, dancers, choreographers, and others all need reference files that contain the playback mix and sometimes timecode (SMPTE). Creating these files without an efficient workflow can take a lot of time and effort. The EC Playback Template makes it easy to create numerous file types of your session without extensive reconfiguration.
Make line checking a breeze with built-in line counts/channel identifiers
Make sure all of your outputs are working and safeguard your show with a built-in line check.
Plan on expanding beyond the built-in 12/16 channel template session? Up to 32 channels of line count/channel identifier WAV files are included.
16 channel session available in the Ultimate version only (Basic and Basic with Tune versions contain a 12 channel session)
Set up by default with industry standard stemming schema (12-16ch), and modular for different output counts
16 channel session available in the Ultimate version only (Basic and Basic with Tune versions contain a 12 channel session)
Guitars and Strings/Orch available in the Ultimate version only
Organize your set with an arrangement map, bar count, BPM, key, and session notes
Use the dedicated lanes at the top of your session for marking arrangements, song names, bar counts, BPMs, keys, and ongoing session notes. Access the details of your tracks easily and make jumping around within your session a breeze.
Easy stereo monitoring of multi-channel routing
Route busses and returns with key mappings for switching between full output mode (all discrete outputs active) and monitor mode (all routing summed to 1/2 stereo out).
Tuning plug-in configurations
Available in the Basic with Tune and Ultimate versions only. Tuning software is not included.
Get programming clips for tuning plug-ins including Scale, Key, Retune, Flex, and Target Notes. Plus, there's pre-instantiation of UAD Console Recall for automated recall of UAD Console settings.
Compatible with the new
UAD Realtime Auto-Tune X!
100% compatible with Setlist, AbleSet, and Taz
Welcome to the world of advanced playback with Ableton Live. Brought to you by the seasoned team at Electronic Creatives.
With years of experience from countless shows, we're proud to present our meticulously crafted session template that has been used for elite artists on thousands of performances across the globe.
Advanced and iterated upon over many years of trial and refinement, the template is a flexible Ableton Live project file that combines all of the needs of a playback engineer in
one system.
From soundcheck to show, to the studio and beyond, it's important to have a rock-solid session that's ready for anything. At EC, we've been constantly building and evolving our playback template with real, on-stage use across thousands of shows.
No more second-guessing how to build your playback sessions.
Get your hands on the template the pros use.
From soundcheck to show, to the studio and beyond, it's important to have a rock-solid session that's ready for anything.
Since 2008, EC has been constantly building and evolving our playback template with real, on-stage use across thousands of shows. We've been developing the perfect playback template, so you don't have to.
What you get in each version
Pre-configured ALS file for easy creation of music playback sessions
Complete PDF walkthrough/how-to guide
Timecode/SMPTE file folders
30 FPS, 29.97df FPS, and 29.97ndf FPS
32 channels of additional 96k channel identifiers/line count .wav files
Version Comparison
BASIC
Pre-configured for playback via Setlist, AbleSet, and TAZ
Bar count, key, BPM, and notes arrangement map
MIDI racks for clicks, slates (cues), and stage direction
Pre-built line check/channel identifiers
Clip Drop Group for easy importing of large numbers of stem files
Easy routing of busses and returns
For switching between full output mode (all discrete outputs active) and monitor mode (all routing summed to 1/2)
Easy routing for creating reference mixes for lighting/video/choreo departments
From the MONITOR group or a separate Mix Reference file
Pre-programming of sample MIDI PGM changes
Timecode/SMPTE pre-routing for easy reference file creation
BASIC WITH TUNE
Everything in Basic
Pre-built UAD Antares Auto-Tune Advanced programming clips
Includes Scale, Key, Retune, Flex/Style, and Target Notes
A channel strip preset for UAD Console for easy instantiation of Antares Auto-Tune plug-in.
With correct CC mappings for MIDI control
Pre-instantiation of UAD Console Recall for automated recall of UAD Console settings
ULTIMATE
Everything in Basic and
Basic with Tune
Pre-configured routing of tracks for summed bus printing of all stems
MD Rack comprised of one-shots for easy stage and arrangement slates (cues) programming
Separate click and slate (cues) channels for artist/band
Pre-configured key mapping for listening with and without band reference parts
Easy routing for creating practice mixes for band members
For band members that feature their parts +3dB relative to the rest of the mix.
System Requirements
Template FAQ
How experienced do I have to be to use the Template?
You will need to have intermediate knowledge of Ableton Live and audio concepts in order to get the most out of this template.
How can I learn to run playback using this Template?
If you want to dive deeper, check out our Playback 101 course and MASTERTRACK Bundle. Or, you can reach out to us if you're looking to work together.
What am I allowed to use this Template for?
Per the Terms & Conditions at checkout, the EC Playback Template (and all its versions) remains the intellectual property of Electronic Creatives. As a purchaser of the Template, you have permission to copy it, save it, and modify it to your needs for use on personal and commercial applications. Redistribution or resale is strictly prohibited.
Is the template Ableton Live 12 compatible?
The template .als files were designed for Ableton Live 10, but have full compatibility for Live 11 and 12. Ableton Live 9 is no longer supported.
What versions of Auto-Tune is this template compatible with?
(Applicable for Basic with Tune and Ultimate Template versions only)
Designed for UAD, it can be used with Realtime Advanced, Realtime X, and all other versions Native and UAD. Even though the template was designed for UAD Realtime X and Advanced, the template can be used with any version of Auto-Tune that can receive MIDI.
Please note tuning software is not included in your purchase of any EC Playback Template version.
Designed for UAD, it can be used with Realtime Advanced, Realtime X, and all other versions Native and UAD. Even though the template was designed for UAD Realtime X and Advanced, the template can be used with any version of Auto-Tune that can receive MIDI.
Please note tuning software is not included in your purchase of any EC Playback Template version.
Why am I getting an error when uncompressing the .zip file?
If you're running into errors uncompressing the Template's .zip file download, try using a different unzip application. You can also go to Finder/File Explorer and manually unzip from there. If you need assistance, please get in touch.
Pair it with
Playback 101!
Grab the EC Playback Template and get our expert advice and directives inside our course all for learning playback engineering! All at a discount if you buy them together. 🤝
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