How to backup ableton projects

Discussion in 'Live' started by Ozuna baby, Feb 19, 2021.

  1. Ozuna baby

    Ozuna baby Ultrasonic

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2021
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    27
    Hi guys,
    So I wanted to be sure that i'll never lose any data from my projects in ableton live 10, in case i need to reinstall windows, data gets corrupted etc..

    I was wondering what are the folders to backup. As far as I know so far it's only:

    C:\Users\Username\Documents\Ableton

    If there's anything else, please let me know.

    Thanks :)
     
    Ozuna baby, Feb 19, 2021
    1
  2. Ads Master

    Ads Master

     
  3. Ikagura

    Ikagura Producer

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2017
    Messages:
    107
    Likes Received:
    127
    Best Answer
    It should be the only folder that you need to back up.

    If you're using samples that are located somewhere else on your pc, you might want to use collect and save feature to create a copy of all external files you're using in the project and put them inside the project folder, if in case something happens to those original files, your project would still be fully functional.
     
    Ikagura, Feb 19, 2021
    2
  4. Aural Abuser

    Aural Abuser Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2021
    Messages:
    14
    Likes Received:
    11
    I archive mine by creating a "pack"

    Open the project. Go to manage files... in the files menu.
    In the File Management panel, Manage Project will show all used external files which it can collect into the project folder.
    Then Packing will zip the whole lot into a single .alp file.
     
    Aural Abuser, Feb 19, 2021
    3
  5. Haliax

    Haliax Guest

    This is the solution you are looking for, the default save location may not contain samples unless you collect and save.
     
    Haliax, Feb 19, 2021
    4
  6. signalflow

    signalflow Rock Star

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2016
    Messages:
    678
    Likes Received:
    362
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Collect all/save, compress then upload it to cloud storage. Google drive, mega etc...
     
    signalflow, Feb 19, 2021
    5
  7. Ozuna baby

    Ozuna baby Ultrasonic

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2021
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    27
    Thanks for the answers guys!

    The thing is I want to back everything up by setting backup and sync from google drive to automatically sync everything, so this collect all/save would make the process lose the "automatic" part xD
    Anyways I already have a backup of my samples folder, so if it's kicks snares n stuff from there i'm covered.

    Good thing to know about this collect all/save though, it will be useful if I have to send a project to a friend for mixing etc. I guess ideally it should be done with all tracks flattened in case the other pc doesn't have all plugins /vst installed.

    Again thanks a lot, now back to making some noise :dj:
     
    Ozuna baby, Feb 19, 2021
    6
  8. ArticStorm

    ArticStorm Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2011
    Messages:
    8,787
    Likes Received:
    4,626
    Location:
    AudioSexPro
    Where do u normally save ur ableton projects?

    THats the folder u need to backup!
    Also keep in mind, when u use Kontakt stuff or plugins, which only worked limited or require big librraries, freeze the channels and collect the freeze files when u save the project, i have a lot of projects, where kontakt libraries are missing or where i used Spectrasonics atmosphere VSTi, which does not work anymore for me and when i want to listen to the projects later, i have no clue how it sounds, since i dont have the plugins installed.

    And if u send stuff to a friend, as him, which plugins he has, otherwise he cant mix them ...
     
    ArticStorm, Feb 19, 2021
    7
  9. signalflow

    signalflow Rock Star

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2016
    Messages:
    678
    Likes Received:
    362
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Collect all save collects the sample you have in the in the project but it would be a good idea to flatten any vst as like you said other working on it may not have them.
     
    signalflow, Feb 19, 2021
    8
Loading...
Similar Threads - backup ableton projects Forum Date
I set up my own tags system in Ableton Live 12, but will it disappear if I format? (Backup help!) Live Aug 12, 2025
Music PC Imaging - Backup Imaging / Macrium Reflect Home PC Nov 19, 2025
Best Backup Software for Windows 11 2025 PC Nov 18, 2025
2025 Scheduled Backup: Several Recommendations (NO NAS/DAS/RAID) PC Sep 5, 2025
Any recommendations for Windows system image backups? PC Jan 17, 2025
Loading...