Ableton has released their eagerly awaited update to Live 9 and Push 2. Live 9.7 offers new Simpler Slicing modes (Beat, Region, Manual). As a consequence of the new Simpler features, Live Sets created with this version cannot be opened with previous versions. Also new, the beat time of connected apps in a Link session will be aligned when starting Live’s playback with Tap Tempo or via Looper. Live 9.7 also includes an updated manual, lessons and info text translations.
The new Live 9.7 update really shines when using the Push hardware. The update includes the following changes for Push:
- The new Simpler Slicing modes are available on Push 1 and 2.
- It is now possible to set the color for Tracks, Clips, and Drum Rack pads from Push 2.
- It is now possible to adjust the Input and Output routing and the Monitoring state from Push 2. This is accessible via Track Mix Mode, where a dedicated “Input & Output” button is added.
- Introduced a third layout for Drum Racks and Simpler’s Slicing mode, which enables triggering the currently selected pad/Slice with 16 pre-defined velocities. This is a Push 2 only feature.
- When transport is active, a progress bar on the Push 2 display indicates the playback phase for each of the currently playing Clips.
- Added visual feedback for the count-in on the Push 2 display.
- The Push Record button now takes into account Live’s focus on Arrangement and Session View. If the focus is on Arrangement View, the Session Record button will trigger Global Recording, while the Shift + Record button will trigger/stop Session Recording. The logic is reversed when focused on Session View.
- Session Record and Arrangement Record are now independent from each other.
- By default, Fixed Length now respects the Launch Quantization setting. Its previous behavior can be toggled on via the “Phrase Sync” option in the Fixed Length menu. This works with Push 1 and 2.
- Different sensitivities are in place for the Push 2 pad matrix, depending on the function of the pads in the current layout. This is specifically aimed at avoiding inadvertently changing the loop selector while playing Drum Rack pads.
- It is now possible to delete the currently selected Clip in Arrangement via Push.
- It is now possible to duplicate Clips in Arrangement from Push.
- When the focus is set to Arrangement View, “New” is not available on Push.
- Improved the matching between pad and display colors on Push 2.
- Improved the matching between Live and Push 2 colors.
- On Push 2, the color white in Live is translated as yellow, since white is used to indicate selection.
- The intensity of the LEDs in the lower display buttons has been dimmed for Push 2, to create more contrast against the currently selected track.
- Improved performance when moving the Session Ring horizontally with Push.
- Minor visual improvement for the “Cancel” button in the “Convert” menu or when entering the browser via “Add Track.” Additionally, the “Close” button has been removed from the “Scales” menu. Push 2 only.
- On Push 2 display, Simpler’s playhead and loop markers are now the same height as the loop indicator.
- Flag markers for Simpler and Audio Clips are now properly outlined on the Push 2 display.
- The fade-in and fade-out visuals on Simpler are now represented differently from Loops on Push 2.
- Page Left/Right buttons are now available in the Step Sequencer for Simpler in Slice mode.
- The Push 2 firmware has been updated to 1.0.60. This version automatically adjusts the LED white balance for units produced in the factory from November 2015. Also, this delivers a new pad algorithm that improves the sensitivity of Push pads when playing with wrist pressure. It also contains a fix for cases where Push 2 buttons might double-trigger, and improves the stability of the MIDI data sent from the Push encoders.
Live 9.7 is a free download for all existing customers.
