Working with Samples in Note

• Live Version: 11.2.5 and later

• Operating System: All

• Supported Audio Files: WAV, AIFF, M4A

There are two main ways to work with samples in Note. The first method is to record audio directly into a Drum Rack or Melodic Sampler device in Note. The second method is to import, load, or swap pre-existing samples. 

Recording Samples

Importing Samples into Note

Loading, Saving and Swapping Samples

Samples Storage Locations

Recording Samples

Samples can be added to tracks containing a Drum Rack or a Sampler instrument. To record samples directly into Note:

1. From a Note Set, tap a Track header icon.
2.  Tap the name of the current Preset in the upper menu bar, tap Presets to see the full list of available instrument categories, select either Drum Rack or Sampler, and tap Done.
3. In a Drum Rack, tap the Pad into which you want to record the sample, then tap Record Sample to start recording. In Sampler, simply tap Record Sample.
4. If prompted, enable the device's microphone in iOS Settings.
5. The recording indicator, a small red square, will appear in the top right corner of the waveform window. To stop recording, tap the red square.

Resample in Note

In order to resample using the Sampler or a Drum Rack using the internal mic of the iOS device:

1. Once you have the desired sample that you would like to resample let the transport run
2. Open an empty Sampler or Drum Rack
3. Press Record Sample and in the waveform view you will see the sample is being recorded
4. Set the desired volume of the recording
5. To stop recording, tap the red square

Importing Samples into Note

You can import samples into Note using AirDrop to load files from another device, or "Share to" from other apps. Note supports WAV, AIFF, and M4A file types. M4A files will be converted to WAV on import. 

Samples can be added to tracks containing a Drum Rack or a Sampler instrument. To add a sample to an empty Drum Rack pad, add a Drum Rack to a track, then select a pad and tap Load Sample.

To AirDrop samples into Note:

1. On the source device, open AirDrop, and drag in the audio file.
2. When prompted whether you would like to share [filename], press Accept.
3. On the iOS device to which you are transferring the file, when prompted to select an app, choose Ableton Note.
4. When Note is opened, choose "Yes" to import the sample.

Please note that some file sharing platforms and services may automatically convert audio files into a different, non-supported file format such as .M4A. Additionally, some files may appear to be a .WAV in certain platforms that are actually .MP3. If a file isn't opening in Note, troubleshoot by checking the file is a supported type. 

 

Loading, Saving, and Swapping Samples

Here's how to load a sample into a Drum Rack pad or the Melodic Sampler, whether originating from the Core Library, recorded and saved in Note, imported from another app, or recorded into the current Set:

1. Select Drum Rack or Sampler (Melodic Sampler) and tap Done.
2. In the Waveform tab, select Load Sample, and navigate to the relevant folder:
   • All Samples > Imported
   • All Samples > Recordings
   • All Samples > Core Library
   • All Samples > Current Set
3. In a Drum Rack, select the desired pad, then choose the desired sample and tap Done.
4. In a Sampler, navigate to the desired audio file, select it once, and tap Done.

To swap a Sample onto a Pad, whether originating from the Core Library, recorded and saved in Note, imported from another app, or recorded into the current Set:

1. With the desired pad selected, go to Waveform > Swap Sample.
2. Navigate to the relevant folder:
   • All Samples > Imported
   • All Samples > Recordings
   • All Samples > Core Library
   • All Samples > Current Set
3. Select the desired sample. 

Audio recorded in a Note Set is saved into a folder accessible from that Set. To access a sample recorded in the same Set:

1. With the desired pad selected, tap Waveform > Swap Sample.
2. Using the left arrow in the upper menu bar, navigate to All Samples > Current Set > Recordings, and choose the desired sample.

To allow samples to be accessed in a different Set, you must first save them:

1. Tap the Waveform icon and choose Save Sample.
2. Enter a name for the sample and tap OK. 

Sample Storage Locations

Samples are stored in the Files folder of your iOS device, located here:

• Files > On My iPhone / On My iPad > Ableton Note > User Samples > Imported
• Files > On My iPhone / On My iPad > Ableton Note > User Samples > Recordings

In Note, samples are saved to the following folders. These folders are shown when swapping or loading a sample:

• Recordings
• Imported
• Current Set > Recordings 

Location of recorded samples (unsaved material) in a Note Set:
All Samples > Current Set > Recordings

Location of saved recorded samples using Drum Rack in Note:
All Samples > Recordings > Drum Sampler

Location of saved recorded samples using Sampler in Note:
All Samples > Recordings > Melodic Sampler