The Live Browser
The Ableton Live Browser lets you access factory content, Packs, user presets, and your own custom content. The following tutorial video demonstrates the Browser in Live 12:
- For tips on using the Browser in Live 12, visit the Browser and Tags in Live 12 FAQ.
- For tutorials on using the Browser in Live 11 visit Learn Live: Live's Browser.
- For tutorials on using the Browser in Live 10 visit Learn Live Videos: Interface.
The browser can be shown or hidden by unfolding the arrow symbol on the top left of the screen, or with the key commands: CMD + Opt + B (Mac) and CTRL + Opt + B (Windows).
Live's Browser contents
Collections
With Collections you can organize anything in the browser using up to seven color coded sections.
Browser Categories
Live's browser is organized into Categories such as Sounds, Drum Racks, Plug-ins, etc. These categories are filled with presets, sounds and devices that are part of Live's Core Library.
Live 11 introduced the option to group devices according to their respective categories. You can deactivate this option with a right-click and by de-selecting Group in Folder:
The devices will now be listed alphabetically as it is displayed in versions older than Live 11:
The Core library
The Core Library contains Live's factory content and can't be changed by the user. It is installed in the following location:
- Windows: C:\ProgramData\Ableton\Live\Resources\Core Library
- Mac: Macintosh HD/Applications/Ableton Live Suite > Right-click > Show Package Contents > Contents/App-Resources/Core Library
Places
To preview and load your own Samples or Live Sets from the browser, you can add them in folders to Places.
You can either click on Add Folder, or drag and drop a folder from your computer onto Places. Only readable content will be displayed in Places, such as audio files, Live Sets and Live Presets.
Packs
Live Packs are stored in the Places section of the browser. Each Pack can be unfolded to reveal its contents.
The default location for installed Packs is:
- Windows: \Users\[user]\Documents\Ableton\Factory Packs
- Mac: Macintosh HD/Users/[YourUsername]/Music/Ableton/Factory Packs
You can also define a custom location for Packs in Live's Preferences > Library.
The download location for Packs is:
- Windows: \Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Ableton\Cache\PackDownloads
- Mac: /Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Caches/Ableton/PackDownloads
The User Library
The User Library is where you can save your own default presets, Grooves, Racks, samples, etc. Items you have saved to your User Library will also be available in the Categories section of the browser.
The default location of the User Library is:
- Windows: \Users\[username]\Documents\Ableton\User Library
- Mac: Macintosh HD/Users/[username]/Music/Ableton/User Library
You can also define a custom location for the User Library in Live's Preferences > Library.