Getting Started with Ableton Live

These guides answer common questions asked by new Ableton Live users.

• For an overview of Live’s features, visit the Ableton Reference Manual sections:
  First Steps and Live Concepts.
• For tips on most features, type [?] to show Info View, then hover your cursor over the relevant feature. For tutorials on specific features, go to Live > Help > Built-in Lessons.

Installing and authorizing Live

Installing Ableton Live
Authorizing Live Online

Setting up audio

Setting up an Audio Interface
Recording Audio

Setting up keyboards and controllers

Using MIDI controllers with Live

Plug-ins

Using VST plug-ins on Windows
Using AU and VST plug-ins on Mac

Note: Integration with plug-ins is not optimized for use with screen reader software. Some plug-ins may work well, while others don’t behave as expected.

Saving projects and files

Saving Projects
External Storage and Backup