Ableton Live 12 Suite

Ableton Live 12 Suite is a professional-grade digital audio workstation (DAW) for music production and performance, offering unlimited audio and MIDI tracks, multitrack recording up to 32-bit/192kHz, and powerful MIDI sequencing capabilities for software and hardware instruments.

New in Live 12.1

Version 12.1 introduces Auto Shift, a real-time pitch correction and MIDI sidechain harmonisation tool with modulation support through MPE and LFOs. Drum Sampler enables fast, creative beat shaping with built-in effects like time stretch, FM, and 8-bit. Sample management sees significant enhancements with auto-tagging for short samples and VST3 plugin metadata tagging. The upgraded Limiter offers new modes including True Peak and Maximise, along with smoother release curves and Mid/Side routing. Saturator gains a Bass Shaper and simplified UI, while MIDI editing benefits from refined toolbar filters and new MPE transformations like Glissando and LFO. Push 2 and 3 integration now includes Default and Template Set saving, Macro Variations, and device filtering. Included are Philip Meyer’s MIDI Tools for generating rhythmic and melodic content, as well as Ableton’s Sequencers for complex polyrhythmic step sequencing.

Core Features of Live 12

Live 12 Suite includes new instruments Meld, Roar, and Granulator III. Meld delivers twin sound engines for expressive synthesis; Roar introduces complex saturation and multiband distortion; Granulator III, developed by Robert Henke, expands granular synthesis possibilities. MIDI Transformations and Generators offer real-time articulation enhancements such as strumming and ornamentation, while the MIDI Editor now allows splitting, joining, and reshaping of notes with acceleration/deceleration curves. Users can perform scale-aware composition and apply complex probability settings to MIDI events. Live 12’s tuning architecture allows for custom tunings and microtonality through global tuning and MPE integration.

Machine Learning and Sound Discovery

Sound Similarity, a neural-network-powered feature, streamlines workflow by identifying and suggesting similar sounds, samples, and instrument presets. Users can instantly swap samples within Drum Racks and Samplers for fast creative iteration. The updated browser supports tagging, history search, and content filtering to optimise sound selection and recall.

Workflow and Interface Enhancements

The redesigned interface strips back visual clutter for improved focus. The Mixer is now accessible within both Session and Arrangement Views with a cleaner aesthetic. Users can stack detail views for editing clips, automation, and devices simultaneously. The Clip View, Device View, and browser search have also been overhauled for speed and clarity.

Accessibility and Integration

Ableton Live 12 offers full screen reader support and extensive keyboard shortcuts to assist visually impaired users. The software integrates natively with MPE controllers and supports automatic mapping with hardware. Max for Live comes preinstalled, allowing creation of custom devices, visual tools, and extended control schemes. Integration with the Note iOS app enables sketching ideas on the go for later development in Live. Ableton Link ensures time-synced collaboration with other apps and hardware.

Sound Library and Packs

Live 12 Suite includes 71+GB of samples, loops, and curated content. Featured additions are the Lost and Found collection, the Performance Pack for live performance tools, and genre-focused drum kits by Sound Oracle for hip-hop and trap producers. The software ships with 20 instruments, 58 audio effects, 14 MIDI effects, and 14 MIDI Tools.

Performance Capabilities

Live adapts seamlessly to both studio and stage. The dual workflow of Session and Arrangement Views supports both non-linear improvisation and linear composition. Real-time audio warping synchronises tempo on the fly. Live’s tempo following reacts to incoming audio to adjust tempo automatically. 16 Macro controls, comping, audio-to-MIDI tools, and MIDI-mappable functions allow for dynamic manipulation in performance contexts.

System Requirements

• Operating system:
  • Mac: macOS 11 Big Sur or higher
  • Windows: Windows 10 (version 22H2) or Windows 11 (version 22H2 or higher)
• Processor:
  • Mac: Intel Core i5 processor or Apple Silicon
  • Windows: 5th generation Intel Core i5 processor or AMD Ryzen processor
• RAM: 8 GB RAM
• Display resolution:
  • Mac: 1280x800
  • Windows 1366x768

Digital Download Notice

This product is delivered as a digital download code, which is sent via email for activation.