Backspin recreates classic vinyl-style effects: quick stops, slow wind-downs, rewinds and backspins / spinbacks, directly from the audio in your track.
As your track plays, Backspin constantly captures its audio into a looping buffer. When you trigger a spin, the effect is generated in real-time from the audio that was just recorded. This means every rewind or backspin plays back through exactly what you just heard. Far more effective and authentic than using a generic sample from a sample pack, and much easier than doing this through Ableton’s Sampler or setting up a real turntable.
Spins can be triggered instantly either manually, via MIDI, with Ableton Push or through automation, meaning it’s well suited to live use too. For a more detailed rundown of how it works, please refer to the video above or the User Manual.
Choose Your Version
Backspin (Free)
Backspin gives you the essential vinyl-style effects used in DJ sets and production:
- Stop, Rewind and Backspin effects
- Speed, Friction & Spin Length controls
- Auto-recording buffer
- Auto Mute options
- Clip Quantize timing
- Save the most recent spin to disk
Everything you need for authentic, timing-tight turntable transitions inside Live.
Backspin+ (Paid)
Unlock the full Backspin features:
- Custom Mode with a fully editable speed envelope
- Audio Import — drag samples directly into the buffer rather than recording
- Preset saving (envelope + audio)
- Scratch Mode for hands-on vinyl-style scrubbing
Ideal for producers and performers who want finer control over the behaviour of their spins.
How It Works
Record Audio
- Arm the device
- Set a Record Length
- Start playback
Backspin always keeps the last X bars of audio ready to be spun.
Spin it Back
Select a mode, set a duration and press Spin:
- Stop — gradual slowdown
- Rewind — backwards acceleration
- Backspin — fast reverse burst that winds down
Speed, Friction and Spin Length shape the character of the effect.
Auto Mute Options
Control how the original track behaves during a spin:
- Off — track continues playing
- Temp — track mutes only during the spin
- On — track stays muted after the spin (ideal for DJ transitions)
An LED indicates when muting is active.
Quantized Triggering
Enable Lock to make spins trigger exactly on Live’s next quantization point. Essential for live performance.
Export
Use the Save button to export the most recent spin as an audio file.
Backspin+ Extras
Custom Mode
Draw your own playback-speed curves using a breakpoint envelope editor.
Create detailed spin shapes or experimental speed effects, and save up to 25 presets.
Presets can be selected with the mouse or with the Preset dial. The Preset dial can be mapped to a MIDI controller or automated in Live.
Audio Import
Drag & drop any sample into the buffer and perform spins immediately.
Preset Saving (with Audio)
Backspin+ can store:
- the current speed envelope
- the buffer contents (for imported samples)
Live-recorded audio can also be saved after exporting and re-importing it.
Scratch Mode
Control playback speed manually using Fine and Coarse movement parameters.
Works with mouse, MIDI, automation or Push.
To capture your performance, simply resample or automate the controls.
Ableton Push Integration
Both Backspin and Backspin+ are fully mapped to Ableton Push, providing hands-on access to recording, spin parameters and (in Backspin+) the Custom Mode.
Disclaimer (kind of!)
For anyone who’s followed me for a while, you may recall me being quite outspoken about backspins / rewinds in the past. Here’s an article I wrote from around 15 years ago on the Digital DJ Tools website (now deceased – the link is from WayBackMachine) where I have a rant about how much I hate MCs calling for rewinds.
Note that I still very much hold with this opinion. Backspins / rewinds are fine when used sparingly and when an MC has no say in their initiation! 🙂
Tips
Scratch Mode (Backspin+ only)
As we’re controlling playback speed rather than playhead position on a sample, Scratch Mode can be a little difficult to tame at times, even when using precise automation. It’s easy to let the start of the sample ‘drift’ out of place and before you know it you’re scratching fresh air!
Use the Reset Sample parameter when automating or playing live to ‘nudge’ it back to the start of the sample.
Also, for a more realistic scratching sound, try to use a slightly different shape each time you’re automating the ‘Scratch Coarse’ or ‘Scratch Fine’ parameter.
In the video below I started with a preset automation curve (sine shape) for the ‘Scratch Coarse’ parameter, then manually adjusted the upper and lower points so that it’s moving at a slightly different speed each time. This makes the scratch sound much more ‘human’! Again, applying ‘Reset Sample’ at zero crossings ensures your sample always starts at the correct position.
You can download the classic ‘Ahhh’ scratch I’ve used here from my Samples page.
Updates:
v1.0.1
Fixed
- A spin that ends on a non-zero crossing no longer produces an audible click. A 100ms fade has now been added to the end of each spin to prevent clicking.
System requirements:
- Ableton Live 12 Suite (or Live Standard with Max for Live bought separately).
- MacOS 64bit / Windows 11.