Archive notice: This article was originally published on January 21, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Ableton Live 8 and Suite 8 introduce numerous new features, effects and workflow optimizations for real-time digital-music processing. These include a new groove engine, improved warping techniques, live looping, five new effects including Ableton Vocoder, crossfades in Arrangement View, group tracks and a redesigned MIDI editor. Ableton Suite 8 also offers a completely new sound library with many inspiring sounds and an extensive instrument collection, including several synthesizers, a sampler, electronic and acoustic drums, the new Latin Percussion collection, mallet instruments through the new Collision, numerous sampled instruments and a new, more powerful Operator.
New in Ableton Live 8:
- New groove engine: new groove library, extraction of grooves from audio or MIDI, real-time groove quantization
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New warp engine: warp audio by moving material on the timeline, redesigned Beats Warp mode, new Complex Warp mode, slice audio files based on transients and convert them into MIDI tracks
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Looper: classic sound-on-sound looping without the limitations of corresponding hardware devices; hands-free recording, overdubbing, undo and other functions without interrupting performance; First Loop Sync; easy loop management
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New effects: Vocoder, Multiband Dynamics, Overdrive, Limiter and Frequency Shifter
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Better workflow: real-time crossfades in Arrangement View, improved MIDI editing, group tracks, multiple track selection, a new interface zoom function and more
Ableton Suite 8 also offers:
- World-class sound library: a completely new library with realistic sound objects, presets, grooves, template sets and more than 1,600 sounds
Collision and Corpus: a unique physical-modeling instrument for authentic mallet sounds and creative percussion. Includes Corpus as a standalone effect using Collision’s resonator section
Latin Percussion: a collection of acoustic percussion instruments from Brazilian and Afro-Cuban music, together with a large selection of clips and grooves for authentic use
Operator, Ableton’s well-known general-purpose synthesizer, has been redesigned from the ground up. New filter types, expanded modulation-routing options and additive wavetable synthesis with user-drawn partials make Operator more powerful and flexible than ever.
Also includes the Ableton instruments Sampler, Electric, Tension, Analog, Drum Machines, Session Drums* and Essential Instrument Collection 2*.
*Available only in the boxed version.
NEW PRODUCTS AND INITIATIVES IN 2009
- Share: collaborate easily over the web. Exchange Live Sets with other users via the web using Live 8’s new integrated online feature.
Ableton’s intelligent solution for web-based music projects accelerates and simplifies exchange, upload and download management, and access-rights settings, with high transfer speeds and compatibility with third-party plug-ins and instruments.
- Extend: Max for Live
Max for Live integrates the power of Max/MSP into Live and can create entirely new sounds and instruments, from unique synthesizers and effects to algorithmic composition tools and radically new music machines combining Live with hardware control surfaces. Max for Live has virtually unlimited possibilities and is an ideal tool for sound designers and producers.
Max for Live is a joint project by Ableton and Cycling ’74.
- Touch: hardware controller for Ableton Live. Ableton and Akai Professional announce the new APC40 controller. Designed specifically for Ableton Live, APC40 gives musicians and producers direct access to Live’s Session View, effects and virtual instruments. Its high-quality hardware includes 109 buttons, 16 endless rotary controls, nine 45 mm faders and a replaceable crossfader. Typical studio and stage uses include mixing, remixing, DJing, beat programming, playing backing tracks and triggering MIDI loops and sound effects.
Combining these initiatives creates interesting
possibilities:
Live 8 + Max for Live: share extensions, effects and instruments created with Max for Live through Live 8’s new web technology. Max for Live users gain access to numerous new instruments, effects and extensions from the Max for Live community.
Live 8 + Max for Live + APC40: Max for Live can customize APC40 functions, for example turning the controller’s clip-launch matrix into a step sequencer. Live 8’s online feature enables users to exchange APC40 modifications and access many other APC40 resources from the Ableton community.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
- Ableton Live 8 and Ableton Suite 8 are expected to be released in the second quarter of 2009 after completion of beta testing. A public beta will be available shortly.
Ableton Suite 8 will be available from €549 as a download.
Ableton Live 8 will be available from €349 as a download.
Upgrade prices for Live 8 and Suite 8 vary depending on the existing product version. Further details:
http://www.ableton.com/live-8-upgrades
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Collision and Latin Percussion are available separately or as part of Ableton Suite 8. Both instruments will be released alongside Live 8. Collision costs €129 and Latin Percussion €79.
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Max for Live will be available toward the end of 2009. It is a separate product and is not included in Ableton Live 8 or Ableton Suite 8. Pricing has not yet been announced.
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The Share Live Set feature is initially included in Ableton Live 8. As the technology develops further, Ableton may introduce new models for this feature.
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The APC40 controller is distributed by Akai Professional.
