How to Use iZotope RX with Ableton Live Without Killing Your CPU

The best way to use iZotope RX with Ableton Live is to run it as a standalone sample editor, not a plugin.

This keeps your sessions smooth, stable, and CPU-friendly, while still giving you RX’s powerful clean-up tools.

Key Takeaways

• Do not run RX as a plugin inside Ableton Live

• Use RX as your external sample editor instead

• Reduces CPU load and prevents glitches

• Edits update automatically back in Live

• Always back up your audio before editing

Why Does iZotope RX Glitch in Ableton Live?

Running RX as a plugin eats CPU and causes playback issues.
Live sessions can freeze, stutter, or make your laptop sound like a jet engine. The plugin version just isn’t optimised for real-time playback inside Live.

What’s the Best Way to Use RX with Ableton Live?

Use RX as a standalone sample editor, not as a plugin.
This method keeps your CPU cool and your sessions stable, while letting you use RX’s powerful tools exactly when you need them.

How Do You Set iZotope RX as the Sample Editor in Ableton?

Follow these steps once, and you’re good to go:

1. Open Ableton Preferences
   (Command + comma on Mac, Control + comma on Windows)

2. Go to the File/Folder tab

3. In the Sample Editor section, click Browse

4. Select the RX standalone app

5. Close Preferences

Done! Now, any time you click Edit on an audio clip, RX opens automatically.

How Does the RX-Ableton Workflow Actually Work?

Here’s the round trip:

• Double-click any audio clip in Live

• Click the Edit button

• RX opens with the clip loaded

• Do your clean-up: clicks, pitch, noise, etc.

• In RX, go to File > Overwrite Original File

• Switch back to Live — it’s already updated

No bouncing. No exporting. Just clean audio, instantly refreshed in your session.

Should You Back Up Before Editing in RX?

Yes. Always duplicate your clip before editing.
Just do this:

• Press Command D to duplicate

• Then press Command J to consolidate into a fresh audio file

Now you have a safety copy, just in case.

Why This RX Workflow is the Smart Choice

• RX stays out of your plugin chain

• CPU usage drops significantly

• Live sessions run smooth and stable

• RX edits update directly in Live

• No fan noise, no crashes, just clean audio

Want to See It in Action?

I’ve put together a full walkthrough showing exactly how to set this up and use it in a real project.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does RX glitch in Live?
Because the plugin uses heavy processing power not optimised for real-time playback.

2. Can I use RX Elements this way?
Yes — as long as it’s the standalone version, it works the same.

3. Do edits in RX update automatically in Live?
Yes. Use “Overwrite Original File” in RX, and Live updates the clip instantly.

4. What happens if I forget to back up a clip?
You risk losing your original audio if the RX edit goes wrong. Always duplicate first.

5. Is this workflow better than using plugins?
For RX, yes. It’s cleaner, lighter on CPU, and more stable.

Final Recommendation

Skip the RX plugin. Use the standalone version as a sample editor.
You get all the power of RX, none of the playback problems.