Tempo Sync: Ableton Link & MIDI Clock

CueSync speaks two tempo-sync languages: Ableton Link (a shared session tempo with Live and hundreds of Link-enabled apps on your network) and MIDI Clock output (a classic 24-PPQN clock for hardware — drum machines, pedals, synths).

Ableton Link

1. Open Network → Inputs and enable the Ableton Link card.
2. Launch Ableton Live (or any Link-enabled app) on the same network and enable Link there.
3. The card shows the peer count and session tempo. It reads amber while enabled with zero peers — no session partner is present yet — and turns green once at least one peer joins.

Once joined, CueSync and your Link peers share one session tempo. With Pioneer decks connected over PRO DJ LINK, CueSync can feed the deck tempo into the Link session — so Live follows what's actually playing in the booth.

No peers appearing?

• Everything must be on the same network (and the same subnet — a guest VLAN that isolates clients will block Link discovery).
• Link uses multicast UDP; venue/corporate Wi-Fi that blocks multicast blocks Link. A dedicated show LAN or a direct Ethernet link always works.
• If the card reports an enable failure, another process may be holding the port — CueSync raises a toast rather than failing silently.

MIDI Clock Output

1. Open Settings → MIDI → MIDI Clock Output and switch on Enable MIDI Clock.
2. Pick the output device — a specific MIDI interface, or All Outputs to clock every connected device.
3. Your hardware follows CueSync's tempo — Pioneer decks, local-audio playback, or the internal beat clock, whichever is currently driving. The card shows the BPM being sent and which source is feeding it.

Gear drifts or ignores the clock? Confirm the device is set to external/MIDI sync mode, and prefer a specific output device over All Outputs when you have several interfaces — some devices mis-handle clock arriving on multiple ports.

Choosing Between Them

• Synchronizing software (Ableton Live, Link-enabled visuals applications) → Ableton Link.
• Synchronizing hardware (drum machines, effects units, modular systems) → MIDI Clock output.
• Running both simultaneously is supported — they share the same tempo source.