Software / CompNotes
CompNotes
A composer’s notebook for Ableton Live
Version 1.0 · Windows · runs locally
What it does
CompNotes opens your Ableton Live session file (.als) and shows its structure — tracks, plugins in use, tempo, time signature and locators — while letting you add your own composer’s notes alongside: the idea, the direction, what’s still left to do. Session data refreshes automatically on every save, and your notes stay untouched. Everything runs locally on your machine — no cloud, no account.
Key features
Track structure and your notes in one view
Every track from the session — name, type, colour and plugin chain — with room for your own note in the last column. A ⚠ warning appears when a name drifts from your naming convention.
Multiple versions of one track
Every “Save As” in Live creates a new variant of .als. CompNotes detects every file in the track folder and lets you switch between them — each version has its own notes and its own playback.
Metadata straight from the session file
Ableton Live version, tempo (BPM) and time signature read from .als — visible instantly, without launching Ableton.
Playback with waveform preview
Attach a mix to a chosen version and listen to it right in the app: waveform preview, looping, range selection and click-to-seek.
Names, colours and presets
Tidy up track names and colours, then write them back to .als — safely, with a backup. Ready-made presets colour the whole session by instrument role in a single click.
How it works
STEP 1
Point it at your projects folder
Every subfolder containing a Live session shows up as a separate track in the list.
STEP 2
Compose and describe
You work in Live as usual, adding ideas and to-dos next to the session structure.
STEP 3
Everything stays local
The track document sits on your own drive. Nothing leaves your computer — full privacy for your sketches.
Status
● Reading the structure of .als
● Composer’s notes and per-version notes
● Audio player for version files
● Writing names and colours to .als with presets
Download
CompNotes for Windows
A single .exe file — download it, run it, done. No installer, no environment setup.
Requirements
- Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
- Ableton Live 12 for full functionality (older sessions are read too)
- Works fully offline — no account, no cloud