How to Record Vocals in Ableton Live

Ableton Live is known as a DAW for making beats, but it works just as well for recording your vocals. All you need is a mic, headphones and a beat. Here's how to set everything up and record your first take.

1. Set up your audio

Open the settings with Command-Comma on a Mac or Ctrl-Comma on Windows. In older versions this window is called Preferences. Go to the Audio tab. Under Driver Type, choose CoreAudio on a Mac or ASIO on Windows. Then choose your interface or USB mic under Audio Input Device, and what you listen on under Audio Output Device. Use Input Config to switch on the inputs you need.

For Buffer Size, Ableton calls 256 or 512 a good compromise. Lower means less delay, but asks more of your computer.

2. Set the tempo and bring in the beat

Set your project tempo to the BPM of your beat before you drag the beat in. Don't know the BPM? Check it with the free Beat Lab.

Drag the beat into Arrangement View and put it on bar 1. Heads up: by default, Live automatically warps long audio files. It guesses the tempo and fits the beat to your project tempo. Beat sounds off or doesn't line up with the grid? Turn Warp off in Clip View. The beat then plays at its original speed. More tips in bought a beat? How to set it up for recording.

3. Create an audio track and choose your input

Create a new audio track for your vocal. Can't see the In/Out section? Turn it on in the View menu. Under Audio From, choose Ext. In and below that the input your mic is plugged into, usually 1 or 2.

4. Arm the track and check your level

Click the Arm button on your vocal track. Rap or sing your loudest part and watch the meter. Make sure you don't hit the red. You set the recording level with the gain knob on your interface or mic. The volume fader in Live only changes how loud you hear yourself, not what gets recorded.

5. Hear yourself without delay

In the In/Out section, Monitor has three options: Auto, In and Off. On Auto you hear yourself as soon as the track is armed. That's the default. In always lets your input through, and Off turns it off.

Does your interface have direct monitoring? Then you hear yourself through the interface without delay. Set monitoring in Live to Off, or you'll hear yourself twice. Listening through Live and hearing a delay? Turn on Reduced Latency When Monitoring in the Options menu, or lower your buffer size.

6. Record

Want a few beats of run-up? Pick a count-in from the small menu next to the metronome. Then press the record button in the top bar to record into Arrangement View.

Record your verse in sections, say four or eight bars at a time. Set the loop around a section and record it a few times in a row. Each pass ends up as a separate take in a take lane. Press Command-Option-U on a Mac or Ctrl-Alt-U on Windows to show the lanes. Select the best part and press Enter to copy it to your main lane. Only want to redo a small bit? Turn on Punch-In. Live then only starts recording at the start of your loop.

7. Export your song

Done? Use File > Export Audio/Video to save your song as an audio file. Getting it mixed? Set Rendered Track to All Individual Tracks. That gives you every track as a separate file.

Tips for a better recording

• Set up your mic properly first. Read how to set up your mic for rap recording at home.
• Name your tracks right away, like lead, double and ad-libs.
• Stay at the same distance from the mic.

On a Mac without Ableton? Read how to record vocals in GarageBand. Done recording? Read how to build a rap vocal chain in Ableton Live and autotune in Ableton Live with Auto Shift. Need a beat? Browse all beats.

FAQ

Is Ableton Live good for recording vocals?

Yes. You record in Arrangement View, keep multiple takes in take lanes and pick the best parts afterwards.

Why do I hear myself twice in Ableton?

You're probably hearing yourself through your interface's direct monitoring and through Live. Set monitoring on your track to Off.

Why does my beat play faster or slower in Ableton?

Live automatically warps long audio files and can guess the tempo wrong. Turn Warp off in Clip View, or fix the warp markers.

Source: the Ableton Live 12 manual and Ableton's help articles on audio interfaces, monitoring and exporting stems.