Ableton Link lets visual software lock video clips and generative patches to a shared musical clock

Ableton Link is a protocol that synchronises tempo and beat position across networked apps. Having proven itself in music software (Ableton Live, Reason, Traktor, iOS apps), it has been adopted by VJ applications so that video clips, generative visuals, and effects can lock to the same beat grid as the music. In VJ apps like CoGe, VDMX, and Mixvibes, Link integration means video clips can stretch to bar length and clock-driven tools (LFOs, sequencers) can run against the shared tempo — so visual events align to musical structure automatically rather than by manual tapping or a MIDI-clock cable. The protocol works over wireless or wired networks and supports any number of participants.

Examples

In CoGe: enable Link; the video clip stretches to fit exactly one bar of the running session. A visual artist and a music producer jam in the same room with laptops synced over Wi-Fi, no physical clock cable.

Assessment

What does Ableton Link synchronise between devices, and over what kind of connection? Name two VJ apps that added native Link support and one thing that becomes possible once visuals are on the shared clock.