Capture Audio by KILLIHU

Overview & Inspiration

Why does Ableton Live’s Capture function only work for MIDI notes? Why can’t you retroactively capture that perfect guitar take, that spontaneous vocal idea, or that hardware synth improvisation you just played?

Capture Audio by killihu brings the instant-capture workflow from MIDI to audio, continuously buffering up to 16 simultaneous input sources and allowing one-click retroactive recording of everything you just played—even if you forgot to hit record. Route external instruments, internal tracks, or any audio source into the device, play freely without worrying about arming tracks or missing the moment, then capture the last 1-60 minutes of audio with a single button press.

The captured audio automatically saves to disk and inserts into your project as Session clips, Arrangement clips, or standalone files depending on your workflow. The Auto-Reset mode mirrors Live’s Capture MIDI behavior, clearing the buffer when you start transport for fresh takes. Up to 16 customizable input slots with individual meters, naming, and capture controls transform retroactive recording from wishful thinking into standard practice.

Features & Highlights

Retroactive Audio Capture – Continuously buffers audio from all configured inputs, allowing you to capture the last 1-60 minutes of performance with a single click—even if you never armed a recording track. Perfect for spontaneous ideas, unplanned improvisations, and those “I wish I was recording” moments that happen in every session.

Up to 16 Simultaneous Input Sources – Configure 4, 8, or 16 independent input slots, each with its own audio source selection (external inputs or internal tracks), customizable naming, level meters, and individual capture button. Record multiple hardware instruments, capture stems from different tracks, or monitor various sources simultaneously.

Flexible Capture Modes – Choose how captured audio integrates into your project: Arrangement mode inserts files at the current playback position in the arrangement view; Session mode places clips into corresponding clip slots (overwriting existing clips); Disk Only mode saves files without inserting them into Live—perfect for archiving takes or exporting stems.

Auto-Reset Mode (Capture MIDI Behavior) – Enable Auto-Reset to automatically clear the internal buffer every time transport starts, mimicking Ableton Live’s Capture MIDI workflow. Each transport start begins fresh buffering, ensuring you only capture the current performance rather than accumulated previous takes.

Configurable Buffer Duration – Set recording time from 1-60 minutes or 4-128 bars depending on your needs. The device records in loop mode—when the buffer fills, it continues from the beginning while overwriting oldest audio. Longer durations accommodate extended jams, while shorter settings conserve memory for multi-input configurations.

Capture All Function – Instantly capture all configured inputs simultaneously with the Capture All button. Each input saves as a separate file and inserts into consecutive Session clip slots (ensure your project has sufficient scenes). Perfect for capturing multi-track recordings, parallel processing comparisons, or stem-based workflows.

Comprehensive File Management – Customize output file format (16/24/32-bit, AIFF or WAV), naming conventions (combining project name, input name, BPM, date, and time), and folder paths. Choose manual folder selection for consolidated libraries or automatic project folder routing with subfolder creation for per-project organization.

Individual Input Customization – Assign unique names to each input slot by clicking the name field. Proper naming prevents file conflicts and maintains organization when capturing multiple sources. Each input displays independent level metering with adjustable dB ranges (configurable in settings) for monitoring signal presence before capture.

Status LED Verification – The green status LED confirms proper folder path configuration before you begin capturing. If the LED displays red, the folder path is invalid and audio cannot be saved—typically occurring when loading the device before saving the project when using Project folder mode.

Mappable Window Control – The show/hide button on the device rack accepts keyboard mapping, allowing hotkey access to the capture window. Keep your workspace uncluttered until needed, then reveal the interface instantly without mouse navigation.

Floating Window Interface – The resizable, dockable floating window provides clear visual organization of all inputs with their respective meters and capture controls. Position anywhere on screen, dock on top of other applications for permanent visibility, and resize to fit your available workspace.

Alternative Single Input Version – Includes a streamlined single-input version designed for placement in track effects chains, perfect for capturing individual track outputs or insert points within complex processing setups. Ideal for stem recording or capturing specific processing stages.

How to Use

Load Capture Audio onto any MIDI track (the Master track works well for organizational clarity). Click the Show button on the device rack to display the floating window. Before capturing audio, verify the green status LED indicates proper folder path configuration (red means invalid path—save your project first if using Project folder mode).

Open Settings to configure your capture parameters. Set the number of inputs (4, 8, or 16), recording time (1-60 minutes or 4-128 bars), file format (16/24/32-bit), file type (AIFF or WAV), and capture mode (Arrangement, Session, or Disk Only). Enable Auto-Reset if you want buffer clearing on transport start, matching Capture MIDI behavior.

Configure folder path to Manual (choose any folder for consolidated capture libraries) or Project (automatically creates subfolder in project directory). Set file naming conventions using available fields: project name, input name, BPM, date, and time. Adjust meter display range if desired.

In the floating window, assign audio sources to each input slot using the dropdown menus—select external inputs for hardware instruments or internal tracks for capturing project routing. Click input names to customize them (essential for organized file naming and avoiding conflicts).

As audio passes through configured inputs, meters display signal levels continuously while the device buffers audio in the background. When you play something worth keeping, click the individual Capture button for that input, or use Capture All to simultaneously capture all configured inputs.

Captured files automatically save to disk with your configured naming convention. In Arrangement mode, files insert at the current playback position. In Session mode, files appear in corresponding clip slots (requires sufficient scenes—if capturing 16 inputs, ensure 16 scenes exist). In Disk Only mode, files save without insertion—retrieve them from your designated folder.

Use the Reset button to manually clear the buffer. With Auto-Reset enabled, the buffer automatically clears when starting transport. For long sessions with high recording times and many inputs, disable Auto-Reset to avoid CPU spikes that can delay transport start.

Mac Installation Note: Mac users must complete additional installation steps—copy the shell.mxo external component to the Max 9 Library folder and run a Terminal command to remove quarantine attributes (detailed in manual). This enables Project folder path functionality.

Ideal For

• Anyone who’s ever thought “I wish I was recording that” during spontaneous performances
• Electronic music producers capturing hardware synthesizer improvisations and modular jams
• Recording engineers capturing multiple live inputs simultaneously without traditional track arming
• Songwriters capturing vocal ideas and guitar sketches during writing sessions
• Producers routing internal tracks for retroactive stem recording
• Live performers recording multiple inputs during performances for later editing
• Anyone frustrated with Ableton Live’s lack of audio capture equivalent to Capture MIDI
• Users managing complex routing who want simplified capture workflows

What’s Included

• Capture Audio MaxforLive device (.amxd) – multi-input version
• Alternative single-input version for effects chain placement
• 11-page PDF reference manual
• Up to 16 simultaneous input capture capability
• Three capture modes (Arrangement, Session, Disk Only)
• Auto-Reset mode matching Capture MIDI workflow
• Comprehensive file naming and organization options
• Floating window with meters and individual controls
• Mappable show/hide keyboard control

Requirements

• Ableton Live 12 with Max for Live
• Compatible with both Windows and Mac
• Mac users: Additional installation steps required for external components (see manual section 1.4)
• Note: Pre-Live 12.2 versions use Max for Live 8 instead of Max 9 for external components

Explore More

Advanced Toolbar Buttons 2 | Clipboard Device | Session Clips | Locator Manager | View All killihu Products