How to create audio clips

Learn to effortlessly create and record audio clips in Ableton Live. Master basic audio recording, warping, and editing for your productions.

Getting Started · intermediate level

Steps

  1. Create a New Audio Track

    In Ableton Live's Session View or Arrangement View, go to the 'Create' menu and select 'Insert Audio Track' (Ctrl+T / Cmd+T). This will add a new audio track to your project.

  2. Set Input and Arm for Recording

    In the 'Input/Output' section of the audio track, select your desired audio input source (e.g., your microphone or audio interface input). Then, click the 'Arm Recording' button (the red circle) on the track.

  3. Record Audio into a Clip

    Click the 'Session Record' button (the red circle with a dot) in the Master track to begin recording. Play or sing into your input device, and Live will create a new audio clip containing your performance.

  4. Draw Audio Clips or Import

    You can also double-click an empty clip slot in Session View or a blank area on an audio track in Arrangement View to create an empty audio clip. Drag audio files from Live's Browser or your file system directly into these slots or onto the track.

  5. Edit and Warp Audio

    Double-click an audio clip to open it in the Clip View. Use the 'Warp' section to synchronize its tempo with your project by enabling 'Warp' and choosing a 'Warp Mode'. Edit the audio content using the segment display and adjustable clip gain.

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