Converting Apple Loops to Audio Files

When you convert an Apple Loops file into an audio file, the resulting file may not play at the project’s current tempo and key settings. Rather, the new audio file will play at the original tempo and key of the Apple Loops file.

This happens when you select an Apple Loops file and choose Audio > Convert Regions to New Audio Files from the local Arrange menu, and change the File Format parameter in the ensuing window to AIFF. This creates a copy of the original Apple Loops file, but without the transient and category tags. The lack of these tags restricts file playback to the originally recorded tempo and key of the Apple Loops file—not the tempo and key of the project.

If you want to turn an Apple Loops file into an audio file that uses the project’s tempo and key settings, select the loop (or loops) and choose File > Export > Region as Audio File. Be sure to select the “Add resulting files to Audio Bin” checkbox to use the new file in your current project.

This will export the Apple Loops file as a new audio file with all plug-in effect processing of the track/channel on which the Apple Loops file is placed. To export the Apple Loops file without these effects, bypass them before exporting the region.

You should note that although this new file will play at your project’s current tempo and key, it can’t follow subsequent tempo or key changes like other Apple Loops; such files are fixed at the project tempo and key that was in use when the file was exported.

Tip: If you enable the Follow Tempo option for the audio file, it will follow the project tempo and the first key signature set in the global tracks. For further information, see Automatic Tempo Matching.