Setting up your file browser for DJing

softserv · Post by **softserv** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:20 am

I'm wading into the DJ kiddie pool. I've watched a bunch of tutorials, did some basic crossfading, know how to warp and use Live as a production tool. But I don't know where to start to get to a place where I can use Live live. How do you Ableton DJs set up your file browsers for easy use live? In other words, do you have your tunes broken down into component parts in sub-folders? If so, how do you save the whole song while creating new files for the component parts? (When I bust my tunes up into parts I always wind up somehow losing the original file and saving only a small section...) Do you use separate browsers for separate genres or BPMs? (Since there are only 3 browers, I'd guess not?) Can Live's analysis order my tunes by BPM?

Any input would be helpful. Are there any video tutorials out there that would show me how to set up my browser for DJing?

Many thanks!
Sarah

monkey magic · Post by **monkey magic** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:41 pm

you can have live save ur files by bpm but you will need either rapid evolution (free) or mixed in key ($50) having used both i'd personally say mixed in key as it will rename ur mp3's and als files

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:11 pm

Not everyone splits up their tunes into different sections, I just have mine organized by genre and tempo:

andydes · Post by **andydes** » Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:53 pm

I think if you want to split your track up in to sections and loops, the easiest way to do it is to save your warped track using the button in clip view to create the analysis file. Then, copy this clip to create a number of new clips. Rearrange the start marker, loop etc. on each and drag them back into the browser. This creates Live clips. Or if you can drag the whole track or set into the browser.

Make sure you don't have any effects on the track when you copy to the browser, as they will also be copied into the new set when you drag them back whilst DJing.

As for how to organise, that's anyone's guess.

softserv · Post by **softserv** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:28 pm

Thanks y'all.

Is there a way to quickly save a file to a new sub-folder in your Live browser? Like by "right clicking" on it or something rather than having to drag and drop? (When I do right click from inside the Live browser I don't get an option to save to a location)

Also, when you save a song plus its component parts the way andydes describes do you prefer to group them all together in a folder or just have them listed on after the other in the browser.

These seem really obvious but I haven't figured it out yet.

Sarah