Ableton Live

Ableton Live
Developer(s)Ableton
Initial releaseOctober 30, 2001; 23 years ago (October 30, 2001)
Stable release
12.1.1[1] / 31 October 2024 (2024-10-31)
Written inC++
Operating systemWindows, macOS
TypeDigital audio workstation
LicenseProprietary[2]
Websitewww.ableton.com
A screenshot of Ableton Live 9 running on a Windows operating system, with a project open in Arrangement View

Ableton Live is a digital audio workstation for macOS and Windows developed by the German company Ableton.

In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for composing, recording, arranging, mixing, and mastering. It is also used by DJs, as it offers a suite of controls for beatmatching, crossfading, and other different effects used by turntablists, and was one of the first music applications to automatically beatmatch songs.[3]

Live is available directly from Ableton in three editions: Intro (with fewer features), Standard, and Suite (with the most features). The Suite edition includes "Max for Live" functionality, developed in partnership with Cycling '74.[4]

Ableton has also made a fourth version of Live, Lite, with similar limitations to Intro, which is only available bundled with a range of music production hardware, including MIDI controllers and audio interfaces.[5]

  1. ^ "Live 12 Release Notes". Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  2. ^ "Ableton Live End Use License Agreement". Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  3. ^ "What are DAWs? Digital audio workstations explained". RouteNote. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Live comes in three editions: Intro, Standard and Suite. They share common features, but Standard and Suite have additional features, instruments, effects, and Packs". Ableton. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Ableton Live 11 Lite is a fresh and easy way to write, record, produce and perform your own songs. It comes with many hardware products for free. Your license will never expire". Ableton. Retrieved 8 January 2022.