Understanding the Browser - Managing Files

Understanding Factory Packs in Ableton Live

So let's look at Factory Packs in the browser. Under Places, you have this thing called the Packs.

What are Packs?

This is where all packs that you have purchased or downloaded from Ableton Live can be stored and installed. Each pack appears as a folder and can be unfolded to show the pack's content.

• You have presets
• You have samples
• You have Live Clips

Installed Packs will also appear in the appropriate category when labeled.

"If you install an official Ableton Live pack, it's going to install it here and then you can see it within your packs within your browser. It will also install any presets into your categories."

Creating and Managing Your Own Live Packs

Now, when you create your own Live pack, it will not install into the Factory Pack.

• It is best to install them in your own User Library
• Or make your own folder for templates and packs.

Now, if your friend makes a Live pack and sends it to you, and you install it , or if you visit my site sabiquiousmusic.com where I have tons, I think I have over a hundred free Live packs , if you install those, it will not go into Packs.

Important Note:

• Packs is only for official Factory packs from Ableton.com.
• You can install any downloaded pack anywhere you want, and then place it in your User Library or another folder.

For me, I have a Templates Folder which is where I keep any templates that I want to maintain as a Live pack.

Downloading Packs from Ableton

You can always get packs from ableton.com. Once you go into Packs, it will list all available options. There are quite a few free downloads that you can just download.

• It's very easy to navigate this:
  • Press Free to see all the free packs , tons of different samples, gigs worth of samples, presets, and things to play with.

You can also order different packs through Ableton.

Download Process

When you find something you like, such as a specific sound library:

1. Click Download.
2. You may need to log in.
3. Once downloaded, double-click the file, and it will open Ableton Live to install.

"It's going to install it wherever you set your packs within Live."

• It might ask you where to set your packs' installation folder.
• Once installed, you'll get all the presets within your categories as well as be able to find them within Packs.

Managing Your Files and Live Sets

Now, within Packs, we have those solid sounds.

The types of documents that you create and work on in Live are called a Live Set. Think of this as a single song.

File Management

• Sets must be saved inside a Project so that Live can keep track of and manage all of the various components, such as:
  • Live clips
  • Devices
  • Presets
  • Samples used, etc.

This image represents a folder, which is your Live Project. Within that project, you usually have three folders:

• Live Project
• Info Samples
• Ableton Live Set

You might have more folders depending on your samples, Max for Live, or other factors. Your Live Set is found within the folder that is your project.

Example Project Structure

Here's another way of looking at it:

• Project: Electro with Piano Project
  • ALS file (which is a Live set): Electro with Piano Live Set

You'll notice that many of the different projects shared here are folders that say Project. When you click them, they contain all the different Live sets.

For instance:

• In this case, I have four Live sets.
• The folder contains "Navigating what is a clip" and so on.

When I click those, those are the sets that I play with.

Remember: All samples and everything I've used in these Live sets are kept within the project. All samples for all four of these Live sets are found in the Samples folder.