How to import samples in Ableton Live?

Learn how to import audio samples and loops into your Ableton Live session.

File Management · beginner level

Steps

  1. Drag from Finder or Explorer

    Open your file manager alongside Ableton and drag audio files (WAV, AIFF, MP3, FLAC) directly onto a track or an empty clip slot.

  2. Use the Browser

    In the Ableton Browser, navigate to Places and click Add Folder to register a sample library folder. Once added, you can browse and preview files by clicking the headphones icon, then drag them into your session.

  3. Drop onto Arrangement or Session

    In Arrangement View, drop a sample onto an existing audio track at the desired position. In Session View, drop it into an empty clip slot. Ableton automatically creates an audio clip.

  4. Preview Before Importing

    Click any audio file in the Browser and use the preview button (headphones icon at the bottom of the Browser) to listen before dragging it in. Enable the Raw button to hear the file without warping.

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