Reference Manual

12 3 Audio Clips, Tempo, and Warping
9.2.3 Using Warp Markers
In the following sections, we will look at a couple of applications for time-warping samples.
Warping is, of course, an optional property of clips.
Syncing Straight Loops
When you import a sample that represents a well-cut musical loop of 1,2,4 or 8 bars in length,
Live usually makes the correct assumptions to play the loop in sync with the chosen tempo. It cre-
ates two Warp Markers, one at the sample’s beginning and one at the end.
A Two-Bar Loop as It Appears in the Clip View, by Default.
The Seg. BPM field displays Live’s guess of the loop’s tempo; if you happen to know the tempo of
the loop, you can type it in here. Sometimes Live’s guess of the original tempo is wrong by half or
double. If so, correct this by clicking on the buttons labeled *2 and :2, respectively. The sample
plays at double speed when you press :2 because you are changing Live’s interpretation of the
sample’s tempo, which serves as a point of reference for determining the required time-stretch
factor.
Syncing Uncut Loops
When importing a loop that has not been edited into a well-cut loop, Live will play it out of sync.
Suppose there is a portion of silence at the sample beginning, prior to the first beat. You can
easily correct this by placing a Warp Marker at the beginning of the audio and dragging it so
that it lines up with the beginning of bar one in the timeline. Likewise, you can eliminate silence
after the actual loop end by placing a Warp Marker at the sample’s right edge.