Prepping tape loops for live performance - Best Practices

Hey pals! I’m currently weighing up the strengths and weaknesses of using an op-1 (probably together with an OP-Z) to complement my 6 piece bands live performance or using Ableton with some MIDI controllers and a sound card in a laptop etc. I’m wanting to lean towards the op-1 if possible because although I have all the gear to do either one, I’d like to be limiting my options. And we all know how wonderful the limited the OP-1 is.

The main limitation that I might miss if I don’t use Ableton is that I won’t be able to record a live loop and have that set the click track based on whatever tempo I choose in the moment (softstep KMI). I’m wanting to accept this limitation in exchange for less gear etc.

The other side of the coin is that, even though I’d need my laptop + audio interface + midi controllers instead of an OP-1 plus OPZ (maybe) on stage. In the end, it might actually be less gear / headache overall, just doing everything in ableton.

But I digress! My main question is below.

I’m just thinking about preparing the op-1 tape, and thinking about the most efficient and Best way to achieve this. So far the best thing I can come up with is to create my loops in Ableton (any daw would work) and then import my tape files to the op-1 where I will then references the notes about the various BPM for loop sections and create slices in the tape as as appropriate, using the bpm grid. I think this will work. Just not sure about making it exactly 6 minutes of tape - set bpm to 60 and count 5h4 bars in Ableton?

I can’t think of a better way to do this, because I don’t think there’s any way to splice the tape outside of the op1.

Thoughts, comments?