Ableton Forum

Hello, sorry if this is a stupid question but is it possible in the arrange view to split just ONE clip, rather than every clip on every track (which in turn unfreezes those other tracks)?

When I select just one clip, the split command on the edit menu is grayed out and therefore unusable.

Am I missing something obvious? How do I just cut a clip into two pieces?

I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but if I get the main gist, here is my suggestion:

Copy the clip you would like to split, then click the edge of the clip and drag to the appropriate position. You may have to zoom in quite a bit to do this accurately. At that point you should two independent clips from the same source with different audio on each. I'm not sure if that's clear, but I hope you get my drift.

Thank you, yes, I was aware of that possibility and indeed it's what i've been doing.

But really I see it as a workaround. Is it seriously not possible to simply snip one clip into two pieces?

It seems bizarre that this more simple function wouldn't be available, whilst it IS possible to cut multiple clips!

It's easily done, but you must unfold the track so that you can see the waveform. Then you can place a cursor at the split. With the track folded up you cannot place the cursor, only select the clip title bar.

Hi longjohns, thanks for the suggestion. however this is what I have been trying to do without success.

Simply placing the cursor means the 'split' command is greyed out. It's only when I use the loop brace thingy at the top of the arrange window to select an area that 'split' becomes possible. But in that case, all the clips within the brace on all the tracks get split. Or again, am I overlooking something simple?

That is pretty strange. I have no problems doing exactly what longjohns is describing: Unfold, place cursor (on a single track/clip) and splitting that single clip.

Hm... would it make a difference if it's a MIDI or audio clip? I was trying to do this with an audio clip.

It did indeed later split when all the others (MIDI included) were selected, though.

iain.morland wrote:Hm... would it make a difference if it's a MIDI or audio clip? I was trying to do this with an audio clip.

Nope, can do exactly the above with an audio clip.

Yeah select the point then CTRL + E (edit), should split it at that point.

is it possible in the arrange view to split just ONE clip, rather than every clip on every track (which in turn unfreezes those other tracks)?

When I select just one clip, the split command on the edit menu is grayed out and therefore unusable.

Know exactly what you mean, this was driving me mad too but have just twigged after reading this.

Unfold the track, make sure draw mode is turned off and select the point you want to split at in the area underneath the bar for the clip, i.e. within the unfolded waveform/midi notes. You should see a vertical yellow bar with an upside down pyramid on top at the selected position. another method would be to type in the position values in the boxes to the left of the transport controls

Thanks, I understand now. It is indeed as unknownartist (and the others!_ described.

The reason I was confused was that there is no visual feedback when you move the cursor into the lower area of the clip, below the title bar - it would be easier to understand if the cursor changed shape (maybe to some scissors or something).