Problems installing live-packs? Solution here!

[Adam_T]

PROBLEM:


So...I just got Ableton Live 8 about 2 weeks ago, and am just getting around to using it now. I downloaded tons of Artist Live Packs from the Ableton website in hopes of getting a lot more sounds/effects I can use when creating some music. I also purchased some Live Packs from http://www.loopmasters.com. All files are .alp format. This is what I do:

1. Either double click the file on my desktop and Ableton automatically opens and attempts to install. OR I go to file/install livepack within Ableton while it is already open.

2. I choose the live pack I want to install.

3. It does NOT automatically install it, instead it asks for me to pick a location? So I pick a random location such as desktop or a NEW FOLDER called Live Packs within Ableton Library.

4. "The Live Pack "blahblahblahblah" contains a Project and cannot be installed inside another Project" <---this is what happens if I try to install it within a NEW folder within the Ableton Library.

If I choose the desktop, it installs on the desktop...but then I cannot find any of the files ANYWHERE within Ableton.


I just want these things installed, and I want all the files/sounds/effects in my library and available to use when creating new music! So far....no damn luck. Nothing. I have over 10gb of Ableton Live Packs that are just chilling on my desktop that won't install due to the above reasons, as well as Live Packs from loopmasters that I actually purchased. This is pretty frustrating seeing how the Ableton website tells you nothing about installing Live Packs this way. They only give you the "automated" version which only works for a FEW Live Packs.



SOLUTION:

I figured out how to solve this problem, and it worked with all 18 live-packs I was trying to install.


1. Save the .alp file (live-pack) you are wishing to install, onto your desktop.
2. Create a separate folder (a blank NEW folder) anywhere on your computer (Desktop works for me) called Ableton Live Packs or something that is easy to find/navigate to.
3. Double-click on the .alp file you saved onto your desktop. Live will boot up and ask where you would like to install the project folder.
4. Select the NEW folder called "Ableton Live Packs" or similar that you created on your desktop.
5. The .alp/live pack will now be saved in that location.
6. Go into the Ableton FILE BROWSER (usually the 2nd file browser on the left hand side of Live screen), and search for that folder called "Ableton Live Packs" on your desktop.
7. RIGHT CLICK on that folder and click "Manage Project"
8. Click EXPORT on the bottom of the Manage Project screen which is to the right of Live....
9. DONE! All the files/sounds/wavs/loops...EVERYTHING that was in that project is now found within your library.


Hope this helps anyone out that needs to install a live-pack that includes a project. I used this method for 18 live-packs now and it worked for every single one of them.

[Adam_T]

Anyone?

[simmerdown]

normally it would show up in the Live Devices/instruments/instrument rack list...so maybe pick that location

for me it does not ask a location for new live packs they just appear there

[Adam_T]

Negative. Anyone else? This HAS to be a common thing...yet I can find NO information about it.

[simmerdown]

not common...it should be very automatic

regardless, it needs to go into your ableton/library folder....

[Adam_T]

3. It does NOT automatically install it, instead it asks for me to pick a location? So I pick a random location such as desktop or a NEW FOLDER called Live Packs within Ableton Library.

4. "The Live Pack "blahblahblahblah" contains a Project and cannot be installed inside another Project" <---this is what happens if I try to install it within a NEW folder within the Ableton Library.



If a .alp file contains a project....there is a completely different way you are supposed to install it, but for some odd reason...they don't tell you how.

[David_W]

I have exactly the same problem. I've just downloaded the Minus Artists live pack and when I try to install it, I also get asked for a location in the file system, so I chose the Ableton Library as the location but I get the same error:

'The Live Pack "Minus Artists" contains a project and cannot be installed inside another project.'

It will let me install in the folder above (the Ableton folder), but that leads to weird folder structure. I end up with a folder called Minus Artists under Ableton. Directly under the "Minus Artists" is a folder Lessons, 10 empty folders saying "Minus-xxxxx Lessons, a folder called samples and finally at the bottom of that list are the actual live sets.

From inside Ableton I tried copying the Minus Artists folder into the Library folder, which it let me do (after a long wait with it "Not responding"), but all the empty folders then just end up under the Library. I could manually shuffle everytthing around but it shouldn't necessary.

I'm currently doing a repair on the library after which I'll try installing the Live Pack again. If that doesn't work I'll try another Live Pack.

If that also fails I might try reinstalling Ableton from scratch. Installing all those EIC instruments again! Nooooo!

Dave

[David_W]

Well, the repair didn't work. I found this post from a few years ago. One of the replies mentions the error, which might suggest it's something to do with the way the Live Pack was created.

http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?t=85922

Dave

[simmerdown]

...time to contact ableton directly imo

[Adam_T]

I figured out how to solve this problem, and it worked with all 18 live-packs I was trying to install.


1. Save the .alp file (live-pack) you are wishing to install, onto your desktop.
2. Create a separate folder (a blank NEW folder) anywhere on your computer (Desktop works for me) called Ableton Live Packs or something that is easy to find/navigate to.
3. Double-click on the .alp file you saved onto your desktop. Live will boot up and ask where you would like to install the project folder.
4. Select the NEW folder called "Ableton Live Packs" or similar that you created on your desktop.
5. The .alp/live pack will now be saved in that location.
6. Go into the Ableton FILE BROWSER (usually the 2nd file browser on the left hand side of Live screen), and search for that folder called "Ableton Live Packs" on your desktop.
7. RIGHT CLICK on that folder and click "Manage Project"
8. Click EXPORT on the bottom of the Manage Project screen which is to the right of Live....
9. DONE! All the files/sounds/wavs/loops...EVERYTHING that was in that project is now found within your library.


Hope this helps anyone out that needs to install a live-pack that includes a project. I used this method for 18 live-packs now and it worked for every single one of them.

[RCA1]

Does not work for me. Wont let me save the file in the new folder I created.