By Ihtesham
A long way since its first version in 2001, Ableton has finally released its latest rendition of the software, Ableton Live 12. Renowned for its versatility and powerful features, this DAW has been a favorite among producers and live performers across various genres. While it may not be a massive leap from Live 11, Ableton Live 12 introduces exciting tools and a refreshed interface that I’ve been eager to use. Let’s dive in and explore the new stuff that makes this version exciting:
INTERFACE
Let’s first address the most noticeable change: the look and feel of Ableton Live 12. The interface has been revamped to be cleaner and more efficient, making it easier to navigate through and work with. The addition of search filters allows you to quickly find samples or audio devices based on categories, similar to many other DAWs and sample libraries. The control bar also sees some new additions, including scale and the project’s sample rate. Overall, these changes are not significant enough to disrupt the workflow for those upgrading from Live 11.
ROAR
Live 12 introduces two exciting new tools, one of which is ‘Roar.’ This device is essentially a more advanced version of my favorite stock tool in Ableton, the ‘Saturator.’ Whenever a sound feels lacking in dynamic strength or high frequencies and gets lost in the mix, a gentle application of the Saturator works wonders. Roar takes this processing to new heights for sound designing or mixing, offering various distortion forms such as ‘Fractal’ and ‘Noise Injection’ leading to the creation of captivating and unique sounds.
MELD
Similar to Roar and Saturator, ‘Meld’ is an advanced version of the stock synthesizer ‘Wavetable.’ It is a bi-timbral synth, which means you can quite literally meld two sounds. What sets Meld apart from Wavetable is its extensive modulation matrix, ideal for sound designers. But even for an amateur, creating a balanced blend of sounds on Meld feels more intuitive.
HUMANIZE
A new and simple feature that should feel quite familiar to Logic Pro users, is ‘Humanize.’ This feature provides a natural feel to MIDI notes by slightly shifting them off the grid, based on an input percentage value. One way I have actively utilized this feature is by adding a groove using the Grooves tab and then applying the Humanize feature. The outcome is remarkable, transforming digital MIDI notes into a sound that feels more real.
TUNING
Similar to Grooves, Live 12 introduces a brand-new tab called ‘Tuning’. In the previous versions of Ableton Live, exploring tunings beyond the standard equal temperament system was challenging. With this new feature, producers can make music in not just 432 or 450 hertz, but in tunings from all across the world!
MY THOUGHTS
With its array of new features and a polished, updated look, Ableton Live 12’s future in music production looks quite promising. Primarily being a Live 11 user, I’ve noticed a slight enhancement in my workflow. I particularly value the addition of categories in the search bar, especially for samples, as it has saved me so much time. Roar has quickly become my new go-to tool rather than Saturator, and I’ve been captivated by the endless possibilities it offers for experimentation with sound design. While I don’t use Grooves or Tunings frequently, having them at my disposal adds versatility to my production toolkit.
Whether you’re deciding on your first DAW or considering an upgrade from Live 11, I highly recommend giving the 30-day free trial a go. Experience the tool firsthand and see how well Ableton Live 12 fits your music-making process!