Ableton Forum

Hi,

Sometimes when I have an idea/inspiration, I record something in Ableton (from an external hardware synth or microphone), without properly setting the tempo/metronome in Ableton.
I then put this audio clip in loop. Since it doesn't match the Ableton tempo (still set to 120.00), the loop duration is not 4.0.0 or 8.0.0 beats, but something like "3.1.2 +something" beats.
I then record other tracks/clips and do the same, quick loop duration setting 3.1.2+ etc. At this stage, I want to keep an idea, and not deal with a too-rigid metronome, especially when improvising with another musician/singer.

Then, later when properly "producing" the song, how to do this:
- BPM is still 120.00 in Ableton
- select the loop of duration 3.1.2+
- Now I precisely want that this loop *becomes* duration 4.0.0 of the real tempo, i.e. probably BPM 142 or something else.
- this for all tracks / clips

How do this easily? What is your workflow? Does it sometimes happen to you too?

PS: I do know the best would be to properly set the tempo from start (and I do this when possible), but sometimes you don't want to lose your idea, and you want to record straight away...

Warping is the way to go if you don't want to re-record.

This is a classic for sure. Wish there was a method that was more controllable, but this is the best I've found:

- Save the recorded audio to your computer.
- open a new set
- tap out the tempo in the new set as you listen to the audio.
- set the time signature in the set if it's not 4/4.
- drag the file ¡¡¡ INTO ARRANGEMENT VIEW !!!
- Go to the clip's warp settings.
- click LEAD so the set follows the tempo of the sample. This will create a tempo automation line. This works best with things with a clear beat.
- Turn off warp if you don't want that anymore.
- If your sample was recorded with a consistent tempo then you can delete the automation that was created when you clicked LEAD and the tempo will be set.

After that you can chop up the loops and drag them back into session view.

This works best with clear traditional western beats lol... So if you recorded multitrack, use the rhythm part to set up your set.

Hope this helps.