Ableton Live
Ableton Live, also known as Live or sometimes colloquially as "Ableton", is a digital audio workstation for macOS and Windows developed by the German company Ableton.
| Developer(s) | Ableton |
|---|---|
| Initial release | October 30, 2001 |
| Stable release | 12.0.1
/ 14 March 2024 |
| Written in | C++ |
| Operating system | Windows, macOS |
| Type | Digital audio workstation |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | www.ableton.com |
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.
Live is available directly from Ableton in three editions: Intro (with limited key features), Standard, and Suite (with the most features). Suite includes Max for Live functionality, made possible in partnership with Cycling '74.
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.