Dragging a sample to the Device View of a MIDI track creates a Simpler instrument with this sample loaded. You can also drag devices into tracks or drop areas in the Session and Arrangement Views, or into the Device View. Alternatively, select a destination track by clicking within it, then select a device or preset in the browser and press Enter to add it to the selected track. The easiest way to place a device in a track is to double-click on it in the browser, which creates a new track to hold the device. You will notice that Live’s Synths, Audio Effects, and MIDI Effects each have their own labels in the browser’s sidebar. Live’s built-in devices can be accessed in the browser.

Get “hands-on“ with devices by assigning their parameters to MIDI or key remote control ( see Chapter 29). To learn about creating and using custom groupings of instruments and effects, check out the Instrument, Drum and Effect Racks chapter ( see Chapter 20). To learn about a particular device and how to operate it, consult the Live Audio Effect Reference ( see Chapter 24), Live MIDI Effect Reference ( see Chapter 25) or the Live Instrument Reference ( see Chapter 26). To save space in the Device View, a device can be collapsed by double-clicking on its title bar or by choosing Fold from its right-click(PC) / CTRL- click(Mac) context menu. The Device View appears in the bottom area of the Live screen. To select a track and open the Device View to access its devices, double-click the track’s name. The Device View is where you insert, view and adjust the devices for the selected track.

Instruments are devices that reside in MIDI tracks, receive MIDI and output audio.

They can also be placed in MIDI tracks as long as they are “downstream“ from an instrument.

Audio effects act upon audio signals and can be placed in audio tracks.

MIDI effects act upon MIDI signals and can only be placed in MIDI tracks.

These devices can be of three different sorts: Every track in Live can host a number of devices.

Hear audio in after effects