Updated June 2026 · 4 min read · Works with Live 8 through Live 12
Reaper can't open .als files — here's why
Ableton Live saves sessions as .als files: a proprietary binary archive containing XML data wrapped in a custom envelope. Reaper has no way to read .als — it's not a compatibility issue, it's a fundamental format difference. There's no "File > Import Ableton Project" option because that format simply doesn't exist outside Ableton.
Reaper does, however, read standard MIDI files with embedded tempo maps perfectly. And it can apply that tempo map to the project timeline on import. The bridge between Ableton and Reaper is a MIDI file — but Ableton doesn't produce one.
The catch: Even if you manually recreated every tempo change in Reaper, your Ableton locators (markers) have no equivalent. Reaper's marker system has no import path for them. A session with 30 named locators loses them all with a manual rebuild — or you add them back one by one by hand.
The manual workaround
If you're moving an Ableton project to Reaper 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.
Create a new Reaper project at the same starting BPM as your Ableton session.
Enter each tempo change manually in Reaper's tempo envelope, one at a time.
Manually enter each time signature change in Reaper's meter panel.
Recreate locators manually — there is no import path for markers in Reaper.
Audio-check against a reference. 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. Reaper reads that MIDI file natively and applies the tempo map to your project timeline. All locators come through as named Reaper markers.
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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 Reaper — drag the .mid file into your Reaper project. When prompted, check "Apply embedded tempo map to project". Reaper reads the tempo events and applies them to the timeline automatically.
What used to take hours of manual entry now happens in 30 seconds — and your locators arrive as named Reaper markers, positioned exactly as they were in Ableton.
Reaper Import: Step by Step
Reaper-specific import instructions
Open your target Reaper project.
Drag the downloaded .mid file from your file explorer into the Reaper arrange window.
The MIDI file import dialog opens. Check "Apply embedded tempo map to project" — this is the setting that makes Reaper read and apply the tempo events from the file. Unchecking it means Reaper imports at the project's current fixed tempo.
Click OK. Reaper reads all tempo and time signature meta-events from the MIDI file and applies them.
Open View > Markers to see your Ableton locators as named Reaper markers at their original bar positions.
Convert your .als file now
Free during beta. Runs locally in your browser — files never leave your device.
Can I import an Ableton .als file directly into Reaper?
No — Reaper cannot open .als files. Ableton's project format is a proprietary binary archive that only Ableton Live reads. The working solution is to convert the tempo map to a standard MIDI file, which Reaper reads natively with full tempo and marker support.
What Reaper import setting applies the tempo map?
In Reaper's MIDI file import dialog, check "Apply embedded tempo map to project." If this is left unchecked, Reaper imports the file using the project's current fixed tempo — your tempo map won't be applied. This is the most commonly missed setting in the import process.
Does Unableton preserve Ableton locators when importing into Reaper?
Yes. Every locator in your Ableton session is encoded as a named MIDI marker in the output file. After importing into Reaper, open View > Markers to see all your Ableton locators listed with their original names and bar positions.
What Ableton Live versions are supported?
Unableton supports .als files from Ableton Live 8 through Live 12. The .als XML format has remained stable across versions — projects from Live 8 and 9 open correctly alongside Live 10, 11, and 12 files.