Ableton Forum

Hey! I'm really new to all this, so...apologies in advance for what potentially is going to be a really stupid question!

How many tracks are there in Live 5? I purchased the software on Saturday, installed it on Sunday (including unlocking it) messed around with it just enough to realise I was the proud new owner of a very cool package, when I started having problems when either I tried to add additional Midi tracks or dragging and dropping clips into a scene. The system came up with a message something along the lines of what I was doing exceeding current features, that I could revert to Demo mode - though that would preclude me from recording or exporting. Needless to say, I wasn't and am not happy! Bottom line - help! Any clues as to what I might have got wrong?

Thanks in advance.

Did you load operator into one of the midi tracks? Unless you purchased operator, loading it will put Live into demo mode...

Nope, I didn't load Operator. Thinking it was some sort of glitch I rebooted several times to see if this would fix it but....no luck!

When you drag a Live clip to an empty area, so that a new track is created then Live creates all the devices wich where saved with the clip.
If there was an operator on the track, Live goes into demo mode as it´s not unlocked yet.
So to avoid you can buy operator too, or just drag your clip on a track that already exists and has as ex. a simpler on it, so you can use the midi in the clip just with a simpler.

Greetings

Thanks Serotoninsteve! - Would this also happen when I tried to drag clips across to tracks I'd added (by way of the "insert" command)? If so, wouldn't this in essence mean that I could never use any of the clips in my tracks (until I of course bought Operator)? If that's the case, call my cynical, but it seems like a wee bit of a con! Hmmm...

Yes, you can´t use clips wich refer to an operator in your sets until you bought it, as it alows demo mode only then.
The problem is that you don´t see if a Live clip is an audio or midi clip and if it refers to an operator when you choose it in the browser.
Therefore create a new track via the menu or shortcut and drag a simpler or an other vsti on this track, like this you can at least use it´s midi content without autoswitching into operator´s demo mode.
Perhaps they´ll improve this in the next version so that you know if it´s an audio or midi clip and to wich instrument it refers before you drag it into your set.
Now go and buy operator!

Greetings

Brilliant! - thanks so very much! - greatly appreciate your help - not too mention responding to what I'm guessing is a rather "painful newby question! And yup, think I'm already convinced I NEED Operator!