There’s nothing worse than having an idea and then having to spend time finding sounds, setting things up and so on. Just as quickly as you’ve had a great idea, it can be gone. And when this happens more than once, frustration sets in and your creativity and musical output suffer. So it is important to keep things running smoothly when brainstorming ideas or during any of the other processes that make up the production of a song or track.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, knowing how to use Ableton’s features to streamline your workflow can save you time and help you get the most out of your creative process.
By utilising these features, you can significantly improve your workflow in Ableton Live, whether you’re composing, recording, mixing, or performing live. Optimising your setup, organising your library, and mastering default settings can save you hours of time, letting you focus on the music rather than the technicalities.
In this video tutorial I’ll be sharing 25 tips for how you can use various of Live’s features to create a better workflow.
Watch the Video:
Related Tutorials
1 Default Set
Create a Default Set to load a pre-configured session with your essential tracks, instruments and effects, routings and even key or MIDI mappings for a faster project start every time.
2 Template Sets
Set up custom templates for specific genres or tasks, such as electronic music, sound design or live performance, so you can start new projects with a pre-configured setup.
3 Map Capture
Capture automatically records MIDI performances that you play but forget to record. Key Map the button to generate MIDI clips on the fly when you’ve played something good. This is also a great tip when you tend to get nervous once the record button is on.
4 Collect All and Save
Make sure that all your project files (samples, Max for Live devices, etc.) are saved in your Project folder so that no files are lost.
5 Track Defaults
Save your favourite track configurations (e.g. instruments, effects, routing) as defaults so you can quickly create tracks with the settings you need.
6 Audio to MIDI Defaults
Customise which MIDI instruments and settings are loaded when you use any of the audio to MIDI features (Convert Harmony,Melody or Drums to New MIDI Track).
7 Defaults for Dropping Samples into Drum Rack or Device View
Set which MIDI instrument presets and settings are loaded when you drop a sample onto a drum pad or into the Device View.
8 Slicing Defaults
For Slicing to MIDI, you can load an existing Slicing preset and modify it, or start from scratch by loading an empty Drum Rack and placing a Simpler device in one of the slots. In addition, you can add macro mappings to better use the rack with your MIDI controller. You can choose which preset to use for slicing, so you can create more than one for different use cases.
9 Defaults for Live Devices
Set up and save defaults for Ableton’s built-in devices (instruments, audio and MIDI effects) so you can drag and drop the device’s folder to load your preferred configuration.
10 Plugin Configurations
Set up your preferred parameters of third-party plugins to load and use them with a MIDI controller more quickly. If you want the parameters settings saved as well and not just their configuration, save them in a rack instead.
11 Browser Setup
Use Collections to organise instruments, effects, and samples for fast access, and tag folders for easier navigation through all the browser content. See the tutorial linked above for more in depth information and inspiration.
12 Add Folders
Add your own folders to Live’s Browser for quick access to specific samples or Max for Live devices, optimising your project setup.
13 Save Your Own Presets
Save your custom sounds, effects, and racks as presets to quickly recall your favourite ones and save time on future projects. Don’t forget to tag them as well.
14 Organised User Library
Keep your User Library organised and make sure all your presets, samples and so on are tagged.
15 User Library & Packs – Automatic Synchronisation Across Multiple Computers
You can sync your User Library and Factory Packs across multiple computers to keep everything in the Browser consistent and up to date, no matter where you’re working. Either use a cloud storage solution or save them on an SSD drive. More information can be found in this tutorial.
16 Save Discarded Ideas as Live Clips
Save ideas that didn’t make the cut as Live Clips for later use and keep a stash for future reference or idea starters. Live Clips are MIDI or audio clips that are saved with their associated device chains and settings.
17 Record, Warp & Launch Settings
Customise the default settings for recording, warping and launching clips to work more efficiently without having to manually adjust settings each time.
18 Colour-Coded Tracks
Use colour coding to organise tracks and groups, making it easier to navigate large projects, especially when mixing or arranging complex compositions. It’s up to you if you want to colour code by type of instrument or sound, or rather sections in your composition.
19 Rename Tracks Before Recording Audio
Rename tracks before recording, so that the recorded clips get automatically named accordingly. Use the hash character (#) followed by a space, and Live will automatically number the track correctly, even if you move it later.
20 Learn Shortcuts
Master the keyboard shortcuts to navigate Ableton Live quickly and efficiently, reducing reliance on the mouse and speeding up your workflow. Try to learn a new one every time you use Live. Since Ableton tend to add new shortcuts with upgrades and even updates, make sure you stay on top of changes. Watch the linked video above for all new shortcuts in Live 12.
21 Duplicate & Deactivate
Use Duplicate to quickly experiment with variations and deactivate clips or MIDI notes instead of deleting them, keeping options open without clutter. You can always delete what you don’t need once you’re done trying things out.
22 Silence & Time Commands
The Silence and Time commands can be very useful for perfecting your arrangement. You can use the Insert Silence command to add a selected amount of empty time to the Arrangement View. You can also use Cut Time, Paste Time, Duplicate Time and Delete Time to easily subtract or add parts at a specific point on the timeline.
23 Reorder & Group Tracks Before Mixing
Organise and group similar tracks (e.g. rhythm section, synths, vocals) before mixing. Mixing in subgroups streamlines your workflow and lets you apply effects or processing to entire groups, especially in Live Sets with many tracks.
24 Quick Ways To Automate & Modulate
Use the Insert Curve feature for fast and precise automation, the Draw tool to draw envelopes freehand, or record them live with a MIDI controller. Using modulators such as the LFO, Shaper or Expression Control can also save time when modulating or automating select parameters.
25 Take Notes
Keep track of ideas, changes or project details using Info Text, Locators in Ableton Live, a Max for Live device or the Lessons hack to stay organised and focused on your creative vision. See the linked tutorial above for more in depth information.
Bonus Tip: Spend Time Learning Live Devices, Plugins & Hardware
If you want to make sure you stay in the flow, getting to know the built-in devices, third-party plugins or your hardware is a must. Either take the time to learn one thing at a time, or challenge yourself to write a track using a specific device. Familiarity with your tools will lead to faster, more efficient production, allowing you to focus on creativity.
Got any questions? Let me know in the comments below. Or do you have a workflow tip I’ve missed that you’d like to share?
