Are you an Ableton user? Do you want to know the ins and outs of how it can help your music production skills but don’t have time to read hours worth of manuals, articles or watch tutorial videos online?
If so, this blog post is for you! You’ll find all the information in one place.
1. Whats exactly is Ableton?
Ableton is a digital audio workstation. It’s software for recording, editing, and mixing music.
It’s also a collection of software instruments, effects, and audio processors, including a full-featured MIDI DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
Ableton is used by a lot of musical artists for composition and producing their music. They use Ableton to create music that rivals the production work of professional studios.
Ableton is used by artists such as David Guetta, Marshmello, DJ Snake, Skrillex, Diplo, The Chainsmokers, Steve Aoki., ILLENIUM, Flume and many more.
Ableton is now owned by Ableton AG, which Gerhard Behles and Robert Henke founded in 1999 in Berlin, Germany. It’s not open-source software but is OS X, Windows, and Linux compatible. Ableton is also available as an app for the iPad.
2. What does it do?
Ableton allows you to record MIDI and audio tracks (including live audio input). Once you’re done, you can then easily edit the MIDI and audio data across multiple tracks.
It also includes loads of loops and samples to remix your music and add live effects like delay, reverb, distortion, compressors/limiters, EQs (Equalizers), vocoders, filters etc.
Ableton is a powerful software for any musician. You can specialize in live performances using Ableton’s built-in sequencer to control instruments using MIDI and synchronize with other devices/software.
Ableton is also known for producing great-sounding audio, mixing and mastering. It allows you to record, loop, overdub, and synchronize using its session view.
You can record MIDI and audio tracks which can be modified throughout. It’s a highly flexible program since it’s not locked to a hardware interface (which is good).
3. How Much Is Ableton Live Lite?
Lite is free to use as long as you’re just using it for personal, noncommercial reasons. There’s also an Intro Version that’s $99 but comes with a lot of the same functionality.
What you get in the free version:
- 8 audio tracks, 64 MIDI tracks per session.
- 4 instruments (Drum Rack, Impulse, Simpler, and Instrument Rack) . These are all software instruments that sound very good.
- 12 Audio Effects (Auto Filter, Beat Repeat, Chorus, Compressor, EQ Three, Erosion, Redux, Reverb, Simple Delay, Tuner, Utility, Audio Effect Rack).
- 8 Midi Effects (Arpeggiator, Chord, Note Length, Pitch, Random, Scale, Velocity, MIDI effect Rack.
- 32-bit/192 kHz audio recording and playback.
- Audio Unit and VST Support
, and many more. You can find the full features here.
4. When Is Ableton 11 Coming Out?
Ableton 11 is released on February 23rd, 2021 and can be downloaded on their official website https://www.ableton.com/en/live/
5. How Much Is Ableton Live Standard?
Standard is $449 and gives you everything in Intro but adds:
- 64 Audio tracks, 64 Midi tracks per session.
- Four additional audio effects (Comb Filter, Phaser, Vocoder, Stereo Delay).
- Two additional Midi Effects (Arpeggiator, Note Echo).
- Three additional Grooves (Acid Loops, Drum Loops, Music Loops).
- VST and AU plugin support.
- 32-bit/384 kHz audio recording and playback.
- Everything from Live Lite + more!
6. Why Is Ableton So Expensive?
There are plenty of cheaper options out there, but the price of Ableton is justified considering all it has to offer.
You can get Adobe Audition or Pro Tools for much cheaper (and they’re good software too), but they’re not as flexible as Ableton and aren’t entirely MIDI-based.
7. Which Feature In Ableton Do You Use The Most?
I personally use the MIDI editor the most since I edit MIDI a lot during my work. It’s also very helpful when I’m trying to automate random parameters on a parameter rack track during live performances or in the studio.
8. Why Ableton is Better Than Logic!
Ableton Live is better than Logic Pro simply because it’s much more flexible. You can edit, mix, and master music in Ableton without paying for additional plugins needed in Logic Pro.
Ableton also allows you to record audio and MIDI into a single track instead of Logic Pro, which requires you to create a separate track for each type of media.
9. Can Ableton Run On Windows?
Yes, Ableton can run on Windows. You can download Ableton for Windows here.
10. What Ableton Should I Buy?
If you’re a beginner, you should probably get the Ableton Live Lite. It’s an excellent program for all types of musicians, from beginners to professional artists.
The free version allows you to record audio and MIDI and create your own music without paying a dime. There are also some very helpful tutorials to help you get started.
If you need more tracks or instruments and effects, then Ableton Intro is for you, which costs $99.
Lastly, if you want to produce professional sounding music (especially if it’s to be released commercially), then the Standard Version is for you, which costs $449. It gives you everything that the Intro Version has, plus a lot more! A complete list of features can be found here.
11. Is Ableton The Best Daw For Beginners?
Ableton Live is more suitable for beginners since it’s so easy to use. However, you can still use Ableton to produce professional sounding music if you want to.
The Standard Version is the most suitable version for beginners since it’s all about producing great-sounding music, and there are many Ableton plugins on the market that can make your job easier.
For example, there’s an excellent drum effect pack called Impulse that can help you create professional-sounding drum tracks, which are one of the most important things in making a song. Don’t worry about getting any plugins since you can download them from the Ableton website or on third-party websites such as Kvraudio and Plugin Boutique.
Conclusion
Ableton has the features and flexibility that is necessary for producers, whether they are beginners or professionals. It’s a powerful program with a lot of great tutorials for beginners to help them create music.
Additionally, Ableton provides helpful tools for those who already have some experience in production, such as the MIDI editor, allowing you to automate parameters during live performances or studio sessions easily.
It’s very easy to create professional sounding music in Ableton. You can use it to compose your songs, produce beats, perform live and even master your tracks once you’re done producing.
Since Ableton is so versatile, I highly recommend it to anyone interested in becoming a good producer.
