To quickly duplicate an audio clip in Ableton Live, the most common method is using the keyboard shortcut Command + D (on macOS) or Control + D (on Windows).
Methods for Duplicating Clips in Ableton Live
Ableton Live offers straightforward ways to duplicate audio (and MIDI) clips, whether you're working in the Session View for live performance or the Arrangement View for linear track production.
Based on the provided reference, the primary shortcut for duplicating a clip is mentioned: "command d". This allows you to instantly create an identical copy of a selected clip directly after the original (in Arrangement View) or in the next slot (in Session View, if no other clip is selected).
The reference also notes that you can "copy. And paste" a clip, which is another way to achieve duplication, albeit in two steps rather than one.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut (Command + D / Control + D)
This is the fastest and most efficient way to duplicate a clip.
- Select the Clip: Click on the audio clip you wish to duplicate in either the Session View or Arrangement View.
- Apply the Shortcut: Press Command + D on a Mac keyboard or Control + D on a Windows keyboard.
- Result: A duplicate copy of the clip will immediately appear next to the original clip in the Arrangement View, or in the next available clip slot in the Session View if you are selecting and duplicating an entire clip. If you have selected a time range in Arrangement View, hitting Duplicate will duplicate everything within that range.
Using Copy and Paste
While the dedicated duplicate shortcut is quicker for most situations, the standard copy and paste method also works and gives you more control over where the duplicate is placed.
- Select the Clip: Click on the audio clip you wish to duplicate.
- Copy the Clip: Press Command + C (macOS) or Control + C (Windows) to copy the selected clip.
- Choose Destination: Click where you want to paste the duplicate (e.g., another track, a different time point in the Arrangement, or another clip slot in the Session).
- Paste the Clip: Press Command + V (macOS) or Control + V (Windows) to paste the copied clip.
Both methods achieve the goal of creating an exact duplicate of your audio clip, allowing you to quickly build loops, repeat sections, or experiment with variations in your Ableton Live project.
| Method | Shortcut (macOS) | Shortcut (Windows) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duplicate | Command + D | Control + D | Creates an immediate duplicate next to the original. |
| Copy & Paste | Command + C, then Command + V | Control + C, then Control + V | Copies the clip for pasting elsewhere. |
Using the Command + D or Control + D shortcut is the most direct answer to duplicating an audio clip as highlighted in the reference material.
