Locator Notation

A1R reads your song structure from Ableton locator names. Add simple flags to a locator name to control how A1R treats it.

In Ableton's Arrangement, a locator marks a point in time. A1R turns your locators into a setlist:

Everything below is optional — a plain name just works. Flags are case-insensitive.

Duration & colour

Flag	Example	What it does
`[m:ss]`	`Chorus [3:20]`	Sets an explicit duration for the song/section.
`[color]`	`Way Maker [amber]`	Colours the song. Use a colour name (e.g. amber, emerald, blue, rose…).
`[.class]`	`Drop [.big]`	Adds a custom CSS class for Custom Styles.
`[text]`	`Verse [capo 2]`	Any other bracketed text becomes a small note shown on the section.

Flag	Example	What it does
`+SKIP` / `[skip]`	`Verse 2 +SKIP`	Skips this section during playback (shown crossed-out). A1R jumps over it.
`>>>Target`	`Chorus >>>Bridge`	After this section, jump to the section named Target.
`+PAUSE`	`Interlude +PAUSE`	Pauses at this section instead of continuing automatically.
`+JUMP` / `+STAY`	`Outro +STAY`	Override auto-advance: force a jump, or force staying.
`+END`	`Chorus +END`	Marks the end zone of the song.

Flag	Example	What it does
`+LOOP:N`	`Chorus +LOOP:4`	Loop this section N times (2–99), then continue.
`+LOOP`	`Vamp +LOOP`	Loop indefinitely (∞) until you move on manually.
`+LOOPFULL`	`Bridge +LOOPFULL`	Loop indefinitely (∞), but always complete the current full pass before advancing.

Name	What it does
`SONG END`	Ends the current song here (anything after belongs to the next song).
`STOP` / `AUTOSTOP`	Stops transport at this point.
`[nosong]`	This locator is not counted as a song (e.g. a utility marker).
`>Name`	Force this locator to be a section (not a song).
`>>Name`	A quick-access section — shown with a `»` badge for fast jumping.
`*Name`	Ignore this marker entirely.

Add #tag anywhere in a locator name to categorise it — e.g. Chorus #uptempo. Tags are handy for filtering and organising large sets.

Combine flags freely: Chorus [emerald] +LOOP:2 #big >>>Outro — an emerald Chorus that loops twice then jumps to Outro, tagged #big.