I know there already is a sound similarity search feature built-in Ableton, but especially with the new update, it could be made much more powerful.
XO by XLN Audio is a great example for perfect execution in this matter. I think this would enhance the workflow of Ableton, like, infinitely.
It would also make life much easier if you wouldn't have to tag all the one shots/loops yourself, but let an AI do it. It's kind of a bummer that, for example, the one shot tags are only pre-tagged for stock sounds and some Ableton packs, when all of the one shots of all my sample packs could be easily recognized.
Also mentioned in this video by Alice Yalcin Efe: https://youtu.be/x_xz2-2g-40?t=206
What do you think?
Better sound similarity search
Re: Better sound similarity search
Sound similarity and tagging are different features so I'm not sure about what you're asking for.
Sound similarity doesn't use the tags to find similar, so it works with any sample (provided it's shorter than 60sec).
Sound similarity doesn't use the tags to find similar, so it works with any sample (provided it's shorter than 60sec).
Ableton Forum Moderator
Re: Better sound similarity search
Yes, sound similarity and tagging are two distinct features. I think both could be done better.
I just think that the execution of sound similarity by XLN Audio is done better, as similar sounds are more visually apparent.
And the issue I see with tagging is that you have to do it yourself. I have a lot of sample packs from external sources and if I filter by the tags (for example One Shot + Kick), my samples from the packs won't show up. I'd have to manually tag each kick from each sample pack in order for them to be included in the search results. Ya know what I'm saying?
I just think that the execution of sound similarity by XLN Audio is done better, as similar sounds are more visually apparent.
And the issue I see with tagging is that you have to do it yourself. I have a lot of sample packs from external sources and if I filter by the tags (for example One Shot + Kick), my samples from the packs won't show up. I'd have to manually tag each kick from each sample pack in order for them to be included in the search results. Ya know what I'm saying?
Re: Better sound similarity search
Why tag at all? You are satisfied with XO which doesn't use tags for similarity and you don't need tags to pick samples from XO. That's the beauty of XO. And Live's similarity feature works the same way, although you're missing the spacious overview.
If you have hundreds or thousands of samples tagged as Kick, it's faster to pick one and use similarity (in Live or XO) to find the kick you want than to preview them all in the browser. The tag isn't going to help you. Unless you add all kinds of other tags to describe the kicks. That's a time consuming task.
I wouldn't spent my time tagging all samples and instead use the similarity tools we now have available.
If you have hundreds or thousands of samples tagged as Kick, it's faster to pick one and use similarity (in Live or XO) to find the kick you want than to preview them all in the browser. The tag isn't going to help you. Unless you add all kinds of other tags to describe the kicks. That's a time consuming task.
I wouldn't spent my time tagging all samples and instead use the similarity tools we now have available.
Re: Better sound similarity search
I don't own XO. 
But yeah I get what you're saying.
On a different note, Auto Tagging User Content is now a thing: https://www.ableton.com/de/release-notes/live-12-beta/
But yeah I get what you're saying.
On a different note, Auto Tagging User Content is now a thing: https://www.ableton.com/de/release-notes/live-12-beta/