Unableton / How to Import Ableton Tempo Maps into Logic Pro
Guide
How to Import Ableton Tempo Maps into Logic Pro
Updated June 2026 · 5 min read · Works with Live 8 through Live 12
Logic Pro can't open .als files — here's what to do instead
Every Logic Pro user who receives an Ableton session hits the same wall: .als files don't import. Logic Pro has no decoder for Ableton's session format, and neither does any other DAW. The .als format is proprietary to Ableton Live.
The fix isn't a plugin or a workaround — it's a format bridge. You convert the Ableton tempo map to a Standard MIDI File, then import that MIDI file into Logic Pro. Logic reads the tempo events in the MIDI file and builds a tempo map from them. It takes about 30 seconds once you know the import settings to use.
The key setting most people miss: When Logic Pro's MIDI import dialog opens, Import Tempo is not checked by default. If you don't enable it, your tempo map won't transfer — Logic Pro will keep the project tempo and ignore the MIDI tempo events entirely.
What you need before you start
You'll need two things:
Your Ableton .als file — the session that has the tempo map you want to transfer.
Unableton — converts the .als file to a Standard MIDI File with embedded tempo events, time signatures, and markers.
That's it. No plugins, no subscriptions, no file transfers to a server. The conversion runs locally in your browser.
The manual workaround
If you're moving an Ableton project to Logic Pro without automation tools, here's the process people use:
manual process — approximate, time-consuming
Open your Ableton session and document every tempo automation point: BPM and bar position. Build a reference spreadsheet.
Record every time signature change: bar position, new numerator, new denominator.
List all locators and their names and positions — these won't carry over automatically.
Open your target Logic Pro project and open the Tempo Track.
Manually enter each BPM change in the Tempo Track, one at a time.
Manually enter each time signature change in the meter panel.
Recreate locators one at a time — Logic Pro has no import path for markers from another DAW.
Audio-check against a reference bounce. Tweak. Repeat for every tempo change you approximated.
For a simple session, this is doable. For anything with complex automation, dozens of markers, or time signature changes mid-session, it's a full day's work for something that should take 30 seconds.
The fix: Unableton
Unableton bridges the gap. Drop in your .als file, get back a standard MIDI file with your complete tempo map embedded. Logic Pro reads that MIDI file natively and applies the tempo map to your project timeline. All locators come through as named Logic markers.
ReaperPro ToolsLogic ProCubaseStudio One
1
Upload your .als file — drag it onto the Unableton converter. No account, no signup. The file processes locally in your browser — it never leaves your device.
2
Download the MIDI tempo map — Unableton parses your Ableton session and generates a .mid file with all tempo changes, time signature events, and marker data encoded as proper MIDI meta-events.
3
Import into Logic Pro — drag the .mid file into your project. In the import dialog, check "Import Tempo" and "Import Markers". Logic Pro reads the tempo events and applies them to the Tempo Track automatically.
What used to take hours of manual entry now happens in 30 seconds — and your locators arrive as named Logic markers, positioned exactly as they were in Ableton.
Logic Pro Import: Step by Step
Logic Pro-specific import instructions
Open your target Logic Pro project.
Drag the downloaded .mid file from your file explorer into the Logic Pro arrange window.
The MIDI file import dialog opens. Check "Create new tracks", "Import Tempo", and "Import Markers" — these three settings determine whether your tempo data and locators actually land in the project. Unchecking "Import Tempo" means Logic Pro keeps its current tempo and ignores the MIDI tempo events entirely.
Click OK. Logic Pro reads all tempo and time signature meta-events from the MIDI file and applies them to the Tempo Track.
Open View > Markers > Show Markers to confirm your Ableton locators appear as named markers at their original bar positions.
Convert your .als file now
Free during beta. Runs locally in your browser — files never leave your device.
The most common cause is leaving Import Tempo unchecked in Logic Pro's MIDI import dialog. By default, Logic Pro keeps your project's tempo and ignores the tempo events in the MIDI file. Re-import and make sure that checkbox is enabled. If your tempo map still doesn't appear, make sure you're importing the correct MIDI file — Unableton's output, not a MIDI export from Ableton's session.
Can I import the tempo map into an existing Logic Pro project?
Yes. Open your existing Logic Pro project and go to File > Import > MIDI File. Enable Import Tempo. Logic Pro adds the tempo events to your existing Tempo Track alongside whatever tempo data was already there. You can trim or overlap them as needed after import.
Where do Ableton markers appear in Logic Pro?
Markers from your Ableton locators appear in Logic Pro's Markers track. Open it with View > Markers > Show Markers. They're placed at the correct bar positions with their original Ableton names intact. If you don't see them, make sure Import Markers was checked during import.
What about time signature changes?
Time signature changes from Ableton appear as time signature markers in Logic Pro's Time Signature lane on the Tempo Track. Right-click the tempo ruler and select Show Time Signature Lane to view them. All meter changes — 4/4 to 7/8, 5/4, etc. — are preserved.
Do I need to install anything to use Unableton?
No. Unableton runs entirely in your browser — no plugins, no desktop app, no subscription. Your .als file is processed locally. Works on macOS, Windows, and Linux.