well it's funny because the longer i've been using ableton, the less i do, but i actually think it's better that way. i got my evolution controller stolen and i don't even think that's a problem, just forces me to show a little dexterity on the laptop from time to time and prove i'm not just checking email ... but mostly, i mean, i just want to play stuff that sounds good and not fiddle all the time. if it sounds great why get in the way--and i guess i feel the same whether it is mine or another producer's... i like ableton cus i can play all my unreleased stuff, drop stuff in quick and get it locked, but mostly i'm doing what you could do on vinyl, except i get to enjoy listening to the two tracks together instead of having to adjust one of the records the whole time. and generally, as time passes i seem to be using less and less effects...
glad surgeon was brought up though, cus he inspired me to go this route, especially in terms of not twiddling too much, but always having some new track or remix or re-edit to play that just (hopefully) is sick, and just putting the right stuff together at the right moment. ~David
