Outs

What it is

Outs is a multistem backing-track player for iPad. It opens an Ableton .als Live set directly — no export or stem-bouncing step — and plays the stems sample-locked out to discrete outputs on a connected audio interface. It's deliberately simple: no recording, no editing, no click authoring, just running the show.

Requirements

• iPad, iOS/iPadOS 17 or later
• A class-compliant USB audio interface with up to 16 discrete output channels (8 stereo pairs) for full multi-output playback; without one, Outs folds everything down to the iPad's stereo output for rehearsal
• An Ableton .als Live set to open
• For Rundown remote control: same local network as Rundown, with Outs reachable over the network (it advertises itself via Bonjour and listens for setlist commands on its own reserved port)

Install & first run

1. Download Outs from the App Store on your iPad.
2. Open your Ableton .als Live set file from within the app.
3. Use Studio mode to check stem routing, output assignment, gain, and mute per stem.
4. Switch to Stage mode to run the show.

Common questions

Do I need to export or bounce stems from Ableton first?

No. Outs reads the .als file directly and plays the stems as they are, including Ableton's warp/timing information.

What's the difference between Studio and Stage mode?

Studio mode is for checking your setup — routing, levels, mutes. Stage mode is the stripped-down view for running the actual performance.

Can Rundown control Outs during a show?

Outs can listen for song arm/fire/next/prev commands from Rundown over the network, so Rundown can drive Outs' setlist the same way it drives other suite apps. This integration is still being finished — confirm it's working with your specific setup before relying on it live.

What happens if I don't have a 16-output interface?

Outs plays through the iPad's built-in stereo output instead, so you can still rehearse without your full rig connected.

Troubleshooting

No sound on individual outputs. Confirm your audio interface is class-compliant and properly connected before opening the show; check per-stem output assignment in Studio mode.

Outs isn't following Rundown's setlist. Confirm both apps are on the same local network and that no firewall is blocking local network discovery. Remote control from Rundown is a newer feature and may not be fully reliable yet.

Playback isn't sample-locked / timing sounds off. Re-open the .als file — warp settings from Ableton are read at open time.

iPad prompts for local network permission on first launch. Allow it — Outs needs local network access to discover other suite apps and your audio interface.

Known limitations

• Full setlist arm/play/next-previous behavior with a real iPad and a physical multichannel interface has not been fully verified on real hardware yet — simulator testing is complete, but silent song-switching and sub-1-second start latency on real gear are still being confirmed.
• Remote control from Rundown (arming and firing songs over the network) is newly added and not yet proven with a full multi-app rig on the same network.
• There is no drag-to-reorder setlist editor yet; song order follows the order of locators in the .als file.
• Shows are not yet saved separately to a shows folder — you're working from the .als file's own song/locator order.

Still stuck?

Email [email protected] with "Outs" and your app version in the subject line.