Playback Systems

For bands running click tracks, backing tracks, in-ear cues, or full stem playback, Ableton Live is the industry standard — but a powerful DAW session alone doesn't make a reliable live playback system. The interface rig, the routing architecture, the I/O design, and the control integration all have to work together seamlessly before the first downbeat of the first show. At Optum Audio, we design and build complete playback systems built around Ableton Live that are as dependable as they are flexible.

We work with you from the session structure up — organizing your Ableton project for live use, designing the routing for every output (click, cues, backing tracks, stems, automation), and integrating the playback system into your broader rig and control architecture. Every output is intentional: the click goes where it needs to go, the cues reach every performer who needs them, and the backing tracks hit the front of house with the right gain structure and the right signal path. We also design and program the MIDI and control layer so that song selection, scene launching, and patch changes all happen from a single, coordinated system.

Reliability is non-negotiable in a live playback context, and we build that in from the start — with fail-over strategies, system redundancy, and documentation that means you or your crew can troubleshoot confidently on the road.