How to Import Tidal Tracks to Ableton Live in 2024

Part 1. Can You Use Tidal with Ableton Live

Even though Tidal offers special DJ Extensions for convenient connection with many popular DJ platforms like Rekordbox, Ableton Live doesn't support direct access to Tidal collections. Fortunately, we found an alternative method to add Tidal music to Ableton Live.

View also: How to Connect Tidal to Rekordbox Online/Offline

As you cannot connect the two platforms directly, you can download Tidal tracks to your computer and import suitable audio files to Ableton Live from local. The tricky thing is that Tidal doesn't support downloading songs on a computer and all songs downloaded on your mobile devices are cached files with DRM protection.

Platform	Format
Tidal Music Downloaded Format	DRM-protected FLAC, AAC
Ableton Live Supported Input Format	WAV, AIFF, FLAC, OGG, MP3, M4A
AudFree Tidal Converter Output Format	MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, M4A, M4B

Thankfully, you can use the AudFree Tidal Music Downloader, a professional software to remove DRM protection of Tidal tracks. Additionally, this downloader can convert Tidal tracks to Ableton Live supported MP3, WAV, FLAC, and M4A formats with customized parameters. In this case, you can smoothly connect Tidal to Ableton Live.

To use Tidal with Ableton Live, you need to do the following:

Step 1. Install the AudFree Tidal Music Converter and Tidal app on your Mac or Windows computer.

Step 2. Convert Tidal tracks into decoded MP3, M4A, WAV, or FLAC formats. You can read detailed steps to convert them in Part 2.

Step 3. Import Tidal tracks to Ableton Live from your local computer. I introduce 3 ways to import the tracks in Part 3.

Part 2. How to Convert Tidal Tracks into Ableton Live Supported Formats

To import Tidal to Ableton Live, you need to rip music from Tidal. In this part, you will learn how to download Tidal tracks as decoded MP3 and other formats on your computer with the aid of the AudFree Tidal Music Converter. Ensure you have already installed Tidal and AudFree Tidable and follow the steps below with me.

Step 1Import Tidal Songs to the AudFree Tidable

To import songs, you can simply drag the cover of a Tidal song and drop it into the converter's interface. Additionally, you can copy and paste Tidal track links on the top input box and click the Add button at the right.

Step 2Define Your Own Output Format and Quality

Please move your cursor to the top right and find the Menu icon. Click the Menu icon, choose Preferences, and select Convert. You can select Ableton Live supported MP3, M4A, WAV, or FLAC as output format. Other settings like Channel, Sample Rate, and Bit Rate can also be customized to your needs. Besides, click the three-dot icon at the bottom left. Then, you can select a folder to store your output files.

Step 3Start Your First Batch of Conversion

Ensure you have set your output preferences and connect earphones or speakers to your computer if your computer doesn't support the sound. Then, click the Convert button at the bottom right to start your first conversion at 5X speed!

Notice: You can convert the first 1 minute of Tidal songs with the free version of AudFree Tidal Music Converter. You can buy the license of a full version by clicking the buttons below.

Part 3. How to Import Tidal Tracks to Ableton Live [3 Ways]

Congrats on your successful conversion! Now, you can import your converted Tidal audio to Ableton Live with in following 3 ways.

Method 1. Drag and Drop from Local Folder

This is the most convenient method to import individual Tidal tracks to Ableton Live as samples.

Step 1. Open a project on Ableton Live.

Step 2. Open the local folder that stores your converted Tidal tracks.

Step 3. Drag the audio file and drop it into the Clip Slot on Ableton Live.

That's all. The Tidal track is successfully added to the Ableton Live now.

Method 2. Drag and Drop from Ableton Live Browser

This method helps a lot when I have too many windows and tracks on my desktop, as I can operate on the Ableton Live interface only.

Step 1. Open or create a New Live Set by clicking the File section on the top left.

Step 2. Click the Add Folder button in the Places section on the left sidebar.

Step 3. Choose the folder that contains your converted Tidal tracks and click Select Folder on Windows or Open on Mac. If you download Tidal playlist as a whole, you can simply select the playlist folder.

Then, the folder will display on your Ableton Live interface. You can rename it, remove it from Ableton Live, or open its Explorer by right-clicking on this folder.

Step 4. Drag and drop the Tidal track onto the audio track.

Method 3. Import from the Ableton Live Menu Bar

Usually, I use this method when I want to add Tidal music to Ableton Live at a certain time of the specific track.

Step 1. Click the audio track to locate the correct time you want to import the Tidal audio.

Step 2. Click the Create at the top menu bar.

Step 3. Click Import Audio File and choose your targeted song in the pop-up window. Then, you successfully import Tidal tracks to Ableton Live.

Part 4. In Conclusion

The key to importing Tidal to Ableton Live is the AudFree Tidal Music Converter. Once you install it, you can download Tidal music on your desktop and smoothly add the compatible audio files to Ableton Live. What are you waiting for? Click the download button below to start your free trial and create wonderful songs!