Audio Visual Performance System Building is a hands-on workshop focused on designing robust, flexible systems for live audio‑visual performance using TouchDesigner and Ableton Live in tandem. Participants will learn how to structure a performance so it can evolve over time, shift between visual “chapters,” and respond dynamically to musical changes.
The workshop begins inside Ableton, where we’ll develop a live set arrangement designed specifically for AV performance. You’ll learn how to organize audio clips, build transitions, and prepare MIDI structures that act as the control backbone for your visuals. From there, we’ll route key MIDI data into TouchDesigner to drive real‑time visual systems.
Across the session, we will build three separate MIDI‑reactive visual scenes in TouchDesigner. Each scene will be linked to corresponding audio material inside Ableton, forming a tightly integrated AV workflow. You’ll learn how to switch between scenes efficiently using custom TouchDesigner components, Ableton automation, and external MIDI controllers—creating a performance flow that feels expressive, and adaptable.
To streamline communication between the two environments, we’ll use Prismatic Visuals’ OSC Automator Max for Live device, which offers a more intuitive workflow than TDAbleton for sending OSC messages from Ableton into TouchDesigner.
(.amxd, .tox) Automating & Recording OSC with Ableton | Control TouchDesigner, Synesthesia & More | prismatic on Patreon
By the end of the workshop, participants will understand how to:
Structure Ableton sets for AV performance
Send MIDI and OSC data into TouchDesigner for real‑time visual control
Build modular, reactive visual systems
Link audio chapters to visual scenes
Create smooth transitions using custom components and controllers
Design a performance that can grow, shift, and evolve over time
This workshop is ideal for artists interested in building their own live AV systems, performers looking to expand their technical toolkit, and anyone curious about bridging music and generative visuals in a professional, performance‑ready workflow.
