ardour-tutorial/content/editing-sessions/arranging-tracks/index.en.md

+++
title = "Arranging tracks"
description = "How to organize regions on the timeline in Ardour"
chapter = false
weight = 2
+++

In the following chapters we will use Ardour to create a short rhythmic passage
using several drumkit samples.

We will continue working on this passage in later tutorials, such as _Working
with Regions_ and _Creating Looped Sections_. We assume that you have read
the chapters in the _Getting Started_ section already, and are familiar with
_Importing Audio_, _Tracks_, and the _Timeline_.

## Importing Samples

The first step is to add some sounds, which is discussed at length in the
_Importing Audio_ chapter. Here, we are using the _Add existing media_
dialog (**Ctrl + I**) to import some drumkit samples as regions. The samples
used in this tutorial were obtained from a sample pack from the
[freesound.org](http://www.freesound.org/) website (the
[Nord Drum Mini Kit](https://freesound.org/people/menegass/packs/10430/) sample
pack).

{{< figure alt="FS1" src="en/ardour7-freesound-1.png" >}}

After importing a few sounds from the downloaded sample pack (bass drum, snare,
hi-hat, clap), our session looks like this (in this case we used the _Add files
as new tracks_ option, and inserted _at session start_. The drumkit samples
appear as new individual tracks in the _Editor_ window, each with the name of the
audio file used. If the file names are too long or obscure, you may want to
rename your tracks for clarity.

{{< figure alt="FS2" src="en/ardour7-freesound-2.png" >}}

## Organizing the Tracks

Let's rename the tracks so we can quickly see the location of each instrument.
To do that, double-click on the track name to edit it.

{{< figure alt="FS3" src="en/ardour7-freesound-3.png" >}}

You may also wish to rearrange the order of the tracks from top to bottom in the
editor window. Do that by clicking the _Tracks & Busses_ tab at the far right
of the _Editor_ window and drag-and-dropping the tracks in the order you want.

{{< figure alt="FS4" src="en/ardour7-freesound-4.png" >}}

Another option to rearrange tracks is to select a track and use **Ctrl+Arrow
Up/Down** shortcut to move it up or down.

{{% notice tip %}}
You can also use the V check boxes in this tab to view or hide
tracks in the main canvas.
{{% /notice %}}

Here we have ordered the drumkit so that the kick drum is on the bottom, the
snare and high-hat are in the middle, and the clap is on top.  

{{< figure alt="FS6" src="en/ardour7-freesound-5.png" >}}

## Continuing

In the next step we will learn about setting up the meter to organize these
samples into a rhythm.

Next: [SETTING UP TIME SIGNATURE](../setting-up-time-signature)