Ableton Forum

Hi,
I've read the Manual and searched the Forum but I'm obviously missing something.
All I want to do is import/drag tracks from iTunes in to Live 4 to create a mix. I can access the various folders from my desktop browser in Live but when I open the folders there are no files.
Any help much appreciated.
I'm running Mac OS X Version 10.3.8, driver type Core Audio, Input Audio Device Built-In Audio (2 In-2 Out).
Thanks in advance,
PH.

if the files you want to use from itunes are mp3s, Live cannot use mp3. you'll need to convert them to aiff or wav.

Thanks for the quick reply.
The files I am trying to use have the suffix m4a. I've changed this on the files to wav and then aiff. This makes the files appear in the browser but when I try to drag them into an audio track I get the message "Failed to read...unrecognized sound file type".
I had the same problem when I tried to import some aiff files from the AGF/Vladislav Delay website.

The files I am trying to use have the suffix m4a. I've changed this on the files to wav and then aiff

Changing a file extension does NOT change a file type.

Go to Itunes and import AAC M4a files using WAV or AIFF.

Good luck. Read the manuals with Itunes and Ableton Live.

heheh... if you change the suffix on a Word doc from .doc to .xls it doesn't suddenly become and Excel doc.

in iTunes preferences, go to Importing. select AIFF Encoder or WAV Encoder from the Import Using drop-down menu. doesn't matter which you use if you're on a mac. if you're on a pc, choose WAV Encoder.

now create a new iTunes playlist. drag the files you want to use into the playlist, then select them all (ctrl-a or apple-a). from the Advanced menu choose Convert Selection to AIFF/WAV. once it's done these files will probably be in your iTunes library under Unknown Artist, Unknown Album.

now you can use the converted files in Live.



oh by the way.. you might not be able to do the above with your m4a files because they are probably files from the iTunes music store. if they are protected files, even if they are licensed to you, you can't convert them to another format. you'll have to burn them to an audio cd first, which will automatically convert them to audio (AIFF or WAV, depending on your prefs) at the same time. then grab them back off the cd and use them in Live.

the easiest way i've found to do it is to get soundflower, and use it to route the audio directly into live and record it to clips.

http://www.cycling74.com

k

All sorted. Many thanks for the advice it's been much appreciated.