Ableton Live 5 Music Recording and Performance Software

by M-Audio

Product Features

• produce audio and MIDI in real time without ever hitting the Stop button
• Integrate audio clips of different tempos and pitches into new compositions
• Change audio tempo and pitch independently on the fly
• Includes virtual instruments and great built-in effects with automation
• Expandable via VST and ReWire support; compatible with Pro Tools M-Powered

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000BW8J28
• Item model number: 9910-41321-00
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,503 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #32 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Computer Recording > Software > MIDI
  • #52 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Computer Recording > Software > Recording

Product Description

Ableton Live 5 is the revolutionary music production software that allows you to spontaneously compose, record, remix, improvise and edit your musical ideas in a seamless audio/MIDI environment. Winner of countless industry awards, Live integrates loop-based and linear production methodologies--including unique virtual instruments and effects--together in a single interface for unparalleled creative freedom. New features in Live 5 include MP3 support, clip freezing, incredible new beat-synced effects, launchable arrangement locators, Mackie Control support and much more. Live 5 is a complete music production system and also works perfectly with Pro Tools M-Powered. If you haven't experienced Live 5, you owe it to yourself to see what all the buzz is about. Your music will never be the same.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There's nothing else quite like it...., March 29, 2006

By 

J. DEATS (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

If you're new to multi-track audio sequencing, I recommend Ableton Live! above every product on the market. It's user interface has been appropriately descibed as "revolutionary" by Mix Magazine and Electronic Musician, take the power of Pro Tools, shave away the most daunting and complex functions and add the simplicity of Sony's Acid loop sequencing software, mix the two togeather and provide an entirely fresh user interface that is instantly approachable, one that yields instant results and you have Ableton Live. I've abandoned Sonar, Cubebase and Vegas Audio in favor of Ableton Live this software is a joy to use. Here's what you get:

PROS

- Multitrack 16-bit/24-bit recording
- About a dozen popular effects
(Reverb, Compression, Noise Gate, EQ effects, Amp Sims, etc...)
- Powerful control over enevelops
- Timewarp feature without pitch alteration.
- Snap-to grid layout allowing recorded tracks to syn effortlessly with loops (works uniquely with time wrap feature, has to be heard to be believed)
- Track freeze
- Smart processing (the software optimizes memory and CPU performance quite well, but allows the user to take control of sample quality and quality of effects if desired)
- Solid VST plug-in support. (I've tested with AmpliTube, Korg Legacy Collection, Groove Agent, all at the same time! no problems! I've had many problems using VST's inside other non-Cubase sequencers)
- MIDI support goes well beyond the basics, you can set up loops as samples and play Live! like an instrument in real-time, it's actually designed with stage use in mind, but works equally as well in a studio as the heart of a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
- Use computer keyboard as MIDI controller option (compose a melody on a plane or in a hotel room! :)
- Works extreemly well on Laptop PC's, was designed to be played Live! on laptops.
- ReWire support lets you hook-in to Reason, Cubase and other sequencers to use Ableton as a remote or a host.

CONS
- No support for DirectX Instruments (DXI)
- Limited support for loop types, Live supports WAV, you'll have to convert everything else.

Another reviewer mentioned cost of this product, it's priced competitive, don't compare Live! to Sonar or Acid, those products cost about half of what live does, but they are not in the same category. Live! is in the ranks of Reason, Pro Tools and Cubase, which it is priced well against thos products. If you are a student you can purchase the full version of Live for about half the retail price. You can also upgrade from the Lite version of Live (packaged with many M-Audio products) to the full version for the same price.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the price - for serious musicians, March 24, 2006

By 

J. Adams (Salt Lake City, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I've been working with Ableton Live v.5 for a few weeks now and have been incredibly impressed with how this software makes it easier for me to worry about musicality, rather than so much techie stuff. Although don't worry if you want technical ability, it gets as deeply technical as you could want, too. I can see how much fun this will be to use on stage both as a dj and performer.

Another Amazon customer reviewer wasn't happy with the price, although if one is familiar with the prices of other professional music software out there (like Reason, Rebirth, Logic, etc.) it is actually competitively priced.

You can download the free trial version from Ableton's website (ableton.com) and do everything but save your work to get a feel for this powerful, incredibly fun tool! That's what I did, then felt it was worthy of my investment.

5.0 out of 5 stars cant be beat!, September 3, 2006

By 

Sean M. Muckian - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I honestly have never used any other music production software except garageband, but this program rocks the HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!! My only complaint is that ableton live 5 does not include accurate sounding "real instruments" I dont know how to explain it. I think making hip hop and electronica music with this program would be possible with the instruments contained but making symphony or rock n roll or any non digital sounding music would be hard to create with the instruments contained. I have heard you can get instrument to plugin to the application but it does not contain it stock. hope this helps.

p.s. I am not trained I am completely self tought so I could be very wrong.