You're about to find out how to transpose MIDI in Ableton Live. In this article, I'll show the most effective workflow for changing the key of MIDI tracks.
If you'd rather learn by watching a video, here's the video tutorial.
Tranposing MIDI is as very basic feature that I use every single time I make a song.
But it also works if you're remixing someone else's music — maybe you downloaded a MIDI file and want to change the song to a different key.
So I'll show you two different ways to transpose MIDI and tell you which one is my favorite and why.
How most people transpose MIDI in Ableton Live
Say there's a MIDI clip with a catchy melody, like this:
But you want to transpose it and change the key from A minor to A# minor.
Double click the MIDI clip — which will open the piano roll — then select all the notes (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A) and use the arrow keys to move them Up or Down by a half step each time.
Or even hold the Shift button and press the arrow keys to move them a whole octave up or down.
This method works just fine, but it can be very time consuming if you have lots of clips to transpose.
How I like to transpose MIDI in Ableton Live: The Alternative Method
Instead of moving notes around, you can load a stock MIDI Effect called Pitch on the MIDI Channel, at the beginning of the chain, before the virtual instrument.
Then use this knob to increase or decrease semitones.
If you have more than one instrument to transpose, you can copy and paste the altered MIDI effect on each channel.
Here's why I think this method is the best:
It helps me have a better workflow, since I always start composing in the key of C major.
Then when I'm done composing and ready to start recording vocals, I change the key of the song to whatever fits the vocalist's range better.
Bonus: how to tranpose Audio files
Since we're here already, a quick bonus.
Not only you can transpose MIDI, but also Audio files, using the warp feature.
Maybe you got a nice loop from a sample pack and you want to change it to match the key of your song, so here's how.
Select your audio clip. That will open the clip view, where you'll find the warp button.
Make sure to activate warping so your audio doesn't get time stretched, or else it would end up out of sync.
Now, use the Pitch knob, just like the MIDI effect, to increase or decrease the pitch.
Also, make sure to pick a warp mode that is convenient for the content you're transposing.
If it's a drum loop like this, select Beats. If it's a melody or chords, use Complex or Complex Pro.
Don't forget to compare them, listen to both, because they sound different most times.
Now it's your turn to transpose MIDI in Ableton Live
I trust you'll make some awesome music after learning this trick. Don't forget to show me the result.
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.
And if you're looking to make amazing pop music from your bedroom or home studio, visit my website. I've put together several resources to help you achieve that.